Zoë delights the audience at Jewish Book Week grand finale

11 March 2019 22:31

Jewish Book Week 2019’s sold-out grand finale, Jewish Voices, took place at Kings Place in London on 10 March. Zoë played a key role in the event, which was billed as ‘a celebration of the power of words’ and encompassed everything from songs to speeches.

She had the audience in fits of giggles when giving the first reading of the night – Groucho Marx’s famous, witty letter to Warner Bros. about ownership of the name Casablanca – before dissolving into laughter herself! Zoe returned to the stage for an extract from Alan Bennett’s hugely successful play set in a northern grammar school, The History Boys, alongside fellow actors Henry Goodman and Janet Suzman, director Nicholas Hytner, newsreader Emily Maitlis and other well-known figures.

Such was the demand for tickets to Jewish Voices, a collaboration between the long-running festival and charity World Jewish Relief, that the event was relayed live to a second area of Kings Place to enable more literature fans to enjoy it.

Over the course of a couple of hours, Jewish Voices explored what it means to be a Jewish writer and member of the Jewish community, providing entertainment, insight and serious thought.

Everyone present is sure to have left feeling inspired.

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Zoë opens Philip Sutton RA’s My Shakespeare exhibition, plus a round-up of other news

8 March 2019 21:43

On 1 March, Zoë opened the new exhibition, My Shakespeare, by acclaimed artist and Royal Academician Philip Sutton at Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset. You can see photos from the event in the local press.

In front of specially invited guests, she spoke about her father Sam Wanamaker’s friendship with Sutton, who designed a beautiful, characteristically colourful poster to celebrate the opening of Shakespeare’s Globe in 1997.

The poster was to be the first of many vibrant images inspired by Shakespeare and his plays. Sutton has described Shakespeare’s writings as ‘magical’, and the same could certainly be said for his own works of art.

‘Joy, energy and colour, I think that's the secret,’ Zoë remarked when discussing the power of the artist’s paintings in 1997.

If you’d like to discover Philip Sutton’s work for yourself, head to Bridport before 4 May and marvel at My Shakespeare.

In other news...

- Here’s a great photo of Zoë at Maple St. Creative, a recording studio in London, where she has recently been working.

- Zoë has shown her support for International Women’s Day, as well as disaster relief charity ShelterBox, on Twitter.

She has also recently used the platform to call for abortion law reform for women in Northern Ireland.

- If you’re researching Shakespeare, you’ll be pleased to hear that a major digital resource, the Shakespeare’s Globe Archive, has just been launched.

The archive aims to help you ‘track the journey of Sam Wanamaker’s dream to reconstruct the Globe’, as well as gain a clearer understanding of the theatre as a performance space.

Highlights include an oral history by none other than Zoë herself.

- On 9 March, Shakespeare’s Globe will host Burbage and Wanamaker: A Globe Celebration. The unique event will honour the achievements of Shakespearean actor Richard Burbage (who died 400 years ago) and Zoë’s father (who was born 100 years ago), as well as give participants the opportunity to experience preparing for a performance at the theatre.

- Britannia, in which Zoë plays the unforgettable Queen Antedia, will make its eagerly anticipated return to Sky Atlantic this autumn, according to the Radio Times. Specific broadcast dates for the ten epic new episodes have yet to be announced.

With thanks to Janet for her help.

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Zoë’s TREE AID charity appeal raises an incredible £15,000

12 February 2019 21:52

Congratulations to everyone who’s donated to the BBC Radio 4 fundraising appeal for TREE AID, which Zoë presented last month. Together you’ve raised an incredible £15,000 so far to support the charity’s work helping disadvantaged communities in Africa’s drylands.

Here’s Zoë’s personal message of thanks to you all. It’s obvious how passionate she is about being a patron of TREE AID.

Anyone who’d like to contribute to the charity and further boost the appeal’s total can donate through TREE AID’s website at any time.

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Zoë shows her support for Adfam's anti-stigma campaign

23 January 2019 11:37

Here's Zoë taking part in Adfam's #StigmaMakesMeFeel social media campaign. The charity's important initiative aims to tackle the stigmatisation of families affected by drug and alcohol addiction.

This is the second time in recent months that Zoë has shown her support for Adfam. She took part in the charity's carol concert in December.

If you'd like to follow Zoe's lead, simply print a copy of Adfam's campaign board (a PDF file), add your own message, and then tweet a photo of yourself with the board, using the hashtag #StigmaMakesMeFeel.

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Last chance to vote in the National Television Awards!

21 January 2019 07:11

I'm still thrilled about the news that Girlfriends, Kay Mellor's brilliant series starring Zoë, Miranda Richardson and Phyllis Logan, has been nominated in the New Drama category in the UK's National Television Awards.

You have until 12 noon (UK time) this Tuesday, 22 January, to cast your votes. Don't miss your chance to support your favourite shows and actors!

The winners of the NTAs will be revealed on the same day voting closes, during a star-studded live ceremony on ITV 1, from 7:30-10 pm.

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