National Theatre and The Guardian release music video for 2020
Harriet Clifford
Friday, December 18, 2020
The National Theatre and The Guardian have joined forces to create a musical video and standalone track reflecting on the difficulties of 2020.
We Begin Again, released yesterday on the NT and the Guardian’s digital platforms, was written by Olivier award winner James Graham and features a multi-generational cast, including 100 community members from the National Theatre’s Public Acts programme.
Filmed both on location and remotely, the film demonstrates collaboration between an arts organisation, a news website, and a record label during a year which has been, in many ways, devastating for the arts.
Starring Anita Dobson (Eastenders), Zubin Varla (Jesus Christ Superstar), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes) and Noah Thomas (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), the video also features members of the NT’s Public Acts community partner organisations in Doncaster in partnership with Cast and the NT’s founding Greater London community partners as the community choir.
Emily Lim, director of the NT’s Public Acts programme, said, ‘It is the first time we've ever made a film, and the first time our community members in Doncaster and London have united to collaborate together, cross-country!
‘It has felt so important to stay creative and connected with one another at this time, despite all the restrictions, and we can't wait to share this message of renewal and hope with everyone at the end of such a difficult year.’
We Begin Again is composed by Jim Fortune and directed by Amy Hodge. Julian Simmons is music producer and music director is Tarek Merchant. The standalone track is released on Broadway Records and can be purchased now.
Watch the music video here.