By Ellie Bannerman

THIS Tuesday sees the Harlow Playhouse welcoming up-and-coming artists Secret Company and to its 120 seat Studio Theatre. The event, in partnership with BBC Introducing, seeks to promote new local acts and give them the opportunity to share their music on a wider platform.

The gigs are being operated on a ‘pay what you can’ basis, giving everyone the opportunity to check out the latest bands without being prohibited by sometimes restrictive ticket prices. Harlow Playhouse prides itself on being one of the first theatres in the country to offer the scheme, although many are expected to follow suit. It is also hoped that this will provide people with some flexibility over the cost of travelling to the theatre.

Harlow Playhouse’s Jessica Du Preez said: “Come along and pay what you can whether that’s 10p or £10”.

BBC Introducing is an online site to which new bands can upload their music with the potential for plays on local and national radio stations. As music is constantly being uploaded to the site, the Playhouse doesn’t get to find out the lineup until two or three weeks before.

Jessica explained: “We think it’s quite exciting because you never know who you’re going to have in the Playhouse. People can upload their stuff at any time onto the website, which makes it more current than something scheduled”.

Chelmsford based indie band Secret Company have seen first hand the benefits that uploading their music to BBC Introducing can bring, having had their most recent single ‘Midnight Rush’ played on Huw Stephens Radio 1 show.

On the Playhouse gigs, the band said: “We can’t wait for the gig at The Playhouse! Don’t think we’ve ever played in a seated theatre before, so we’re mostly looking forward to that. As it’s a local gig, it will also be good to see some of our friends who don’t often get the chance to come to our gigs in London and further afield.”

Also playing is singer-songwriter Anna Pancaldi, returning to play in Harlow off the back of her recent US tour. Speaking to the Harlow Star, earlier this month, Pancaldi said: “Anything to do with BBC Introducing is just wonderful, it’s great exposure and really valuable support”.

The Harlow Playhouse is also planning to film the gigs for social media, with the aim of getting the bands’ performances onto the BBC iPlayer. This filming is to be done by media studies students from Harlow College, giving young people valuable experience and the potential for their work to be viewed by a large audience.

Gigs start on the 13th September and continue on a monthly basis until February, however the Playhouse hopes that the scheme might be extended in the future.

For more information please visit:
https://uk.patronbase.com/_playhouseharlow/Productions/X7/Performances.