We are thrilled to announce that our NO MASKS project will be broadcast this autumn on Sky Arts Freeview with a cast that includes Lorraine Ashbourne (The Crown), Anna Calder-Marshall (Harlots), Anya Chalotra (The Witcher), Russell Tovey (Years and Years) and Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire), with Elijah Melhado from Stratford East's Youth Theatre and directed by Artistic Director Nadia Fall.

Weaved together with imagined narratives, written by Nadia Fall and Rebecca Lenkiewicz, NO MASKS will be a testament to the dedication of key workers during the COVID crisis as well as an exploration of our shared hopes and fears.

Russell Tovey says: “No Masks was an amazing reintroduction into the world of acting and filming again with a crew. It’s a dynamic and thoughtful piece, packed with all the stories and drama of our current climate, told through the words of people that are vital in making a difference on the front line.”

Nadia Fall, Artistic Director of Stratford East, said: "While our physical doors are shut our creative mission is to give a voice to those on the frontline and to bring people together. We are thrilled to be working with Sky Arts and Moonshine Features to showcase the brilliant stories of key workers from our community and be a part of Sky Arts as it becomes free for everyone to watch. We hope this project will be both life-affirming and a moving reality check of what everyday people are living through at this extraordinary time.”

NO MASKS will air on Sky Arts this September when the channel becomes free for everyone across the UK to watch on Freeview and Freesat. It will also be available on streaming service NOW TV.

Philip Edgar-Jones adds: “Nadia and the team at Stratford East have been working tirelessly to keep theatre alive during this existential crisis point for live art and we are proud to be able to support this brand new production reflecting the lives of people working on the front line during the pandemic.”

Our NO MASKS project originally began in April 2020, where we called out to local key workers to submit their stories, which have been featured on our vitual wall of stories - view them here.

NO MASKS is produced by Moonshine Features
Executive Producers Michelle Crowther and Mike Reilly
Writers Nadia Fall and Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Director Nadia Fall 
Casting Director Lisa Makin
Sky commissioning editor Barbara Lee
Commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertaininment and Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content, Sky UK and Ireland