The amazing theatre group Edward's Boys from King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's own grammar school, had to cancel their upcoming production of Ben Jonson's 'The Silent Woman, or Epicene' due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19. It was an inevitable decision, but a very sad one, as the Boys, their crew, and their director, Perry Mills, had worked incredibly hard for many months to get the show up and running for its first performances in Stratford. For the first time, they were also embarking on an ambitious tour of the North of England and Scotland that would have taken them to Durham, Newcastle, Edinburgh, and Leeds, before taking the production to the splendid Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London.

A group of friends and admirers of Edward's Boys offered to donate the costs of our tickets to the company to help them get back on track after this cancellation, but their ticket provider refunded the tickets automatically, as the event was not going ahead. You can read Perry Mills's note here: http://edwardsboys.org/thank-you/

So, if you were planning to attend and had bought a ticket, or if you were meaning to do so, or if you would simply like to show Edward's Boys your appreciation for their 16 years of dedicated stage work, please consider donating any amount to this campaign. For reference, tickets for the Leeds show were selling at £12, with concessionary rates at £8.

I will keep the campaign open for a month. In these uncertain times for all, but particularly for the Arts and the culture industry, please join me in supporting the wonderful, important work that Edward's Boys do.

All very best wishes in these difficult times,

Dr José A. Pérez Díez, School of English, University of Leeds