The Shakespeareans exhibition to feature specially-commissioned portraits of Zoë

28 July 2016 22:55

Zoë will feature in a new exhibition, The Shakespeareans: Portraits in Paint and Words, alongside other actors and actresses well known for playing Shakespearean roles. The exhibition will run from 12-19 August at The Club at The Ivy in London's West End.

The Shakespeareans is the result of the collaboration between Dr Laura-Jane Foley, a writer and art historian, and Janet Lance Hughes, an artist and designer. They've produced portraits in both words and images in order to offer visitors a more well-rounded view of the featured performers than would be the case if the exhibition was reliant on just one of these creative mediums.

As you can see from the tweet below, Dr Foley recently interviewed Zoë in preparation for the exhibition. Zoë has played some of Shakespeare's most fascinating characters – Richard III's Lady Anne (pictured above), Othello's Emilia, Much Ado About Nothing's Beatrice and more – and so their conversation must've been fascinating!

Although The Club at The Ivy is a private members' club, the organisers of The Shakespeareans have advised me that non-members are welcome to contact the club nearer the time, if they'd like to book an appointment to view the portraits.

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Catch up with Zoë's documentaries on the iPlayer or BBC Store

3 July 2016 17:01

Here's a quick update about two BBC documentary series that have been narrated by Zoë and broadcast during the past few weeks.

Handmade: By Royal Appointment, the final episode of which was shown on BBC Four last Monday, is available to watch for a limited time on the BBC iPlayer. Alternatively, you can buy and keep either the whole series or individual episodes from the BBC Store.

Broadcast details for the last episode of Mr v Mrs: Call the Mediator have now been announced. It'll be shown on 5 July, at 9:30pm on BBC Two. The series is also available for a limited period on the iPlayer.

If you've missed any of the episodes from these fascinating series, I'd highly recommend catching up with them.

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News round-up: Zoë narrates Mr v Mrs; catch up with Handmade; important charity work

23 June 2016 17:39

We may have said a fond farewell to Elegy, which completed its run at London's Donmar Warehouse on 18 June, but there's still plenty for Zoë's fans to enjoy, plus news of charity work you may like to support.

Two fascinating BBC documentaries

Three episodes of Handmade: By Royal Appointment, the craftsmanship-focused documentary series narrated by Zoë, have so far been broadcast. You can catch up on the BBC's website. The final programme will be shown on 27 June (BBC Four, 8:30pm).

Zoë is also the narrator of Mr v Mrs: Call the Mediator, BBC2's three-part documentary series about the emotionally-charged world of family mediation services. Episode one, shown earlier this week, is available online; look out for episode two on 28 June at 9:30pm. (Broadcast details for the last episode have yet to be announced.)

Fundraising for Breast Cancer Care with Linzi shoes

Zoë has been photographed showing her support for women's shoes retailer Linzi's fundraising campaign for Breast Cancer Care. If you buy a pair of Linzi's limited edition Breast Cancer Care pumps, available in various styles, £2 from the sale will benefit the charity.

Step out in style while helping a very good cause!

Supporting Child Rescue Nepal's vital work

Zoë's clearly been busy with charity work, as she's also been photographed raising awareness of Child Rescue Nepal (formerly called The Esther Benjamins Trust). As the sign Zoë holds in the photo emphasises, Child Rescue Nepal rescues trafficked Nepali children.

You can donate to the charity via its website, which features a message from Zoë alongside comments from other well-known supporters. 'I commend the work of Child Rescue Nepal in trying to keep Nepali children safe in school,' she writes.

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Zoë narrates Handmade: By Royal Appointment on BBC Four

5 June 2016 18:53

Zoë is the narrator of Handmade: By Royal Appointment, a new, four-part documentary series coming to BBC Four.

Each episode will take viewers behind-the-scenes at a different company with a royal warrant. The series looks first of all at Wedgwood, the well-known maker of high-quality ornaments, etc.

Look out for episode one on TV tomorrow, 6 June, at 8:30pm.

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Beautiful artwork inspired by Elegy on display at the Donmar

5 June 2016 18:27

Zoë and her Elegy co-stars, Barbara Flynn and Nina Sosanya, have been photographed with a beautiful artwork inspired by the powerful play, which has two weeks left to run at London's Donmar Warehouse.

The detailed painting of underwater creatures and other natural forms, entitled 'Sea Ballet', was created by talented London-based artist Hisham Echafaki. It forms part of an artistic collaboration between the Donmar and Butterfly Art News.

Both the play and the artwork explore the complexity of life, with the precision of the painting echoing the precision of the life-saving neurosurgery undergone by Zoë's character, Lorna.

'Sea Ballet' will be on display at the Donmar until 18 June, the date of Elegy's final performance.

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