All the theatre work I make is for spaces other than theatres. I have an affection for creating work in places and ways that might attract people who don’t usually go to the theatre, particularly village halls. Places in which the theatre company are the visitors. Of the 70 plus new works I have made in the past 25 years these are some I am most proud of…..
performance work
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The Syrian Baker
One of the pieces of work that gets closest to kind of the event I want to make – and winner of the “New Play of the Year’ from the Writers Guild of Great Britain. (go Kevin Dyer!) This is an evening that lasts the time it takes to prepare, cook and share bread.
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Brilliance
A play about the arrival of electricity in rural communities on one level but as much about how people find their light. We toured the show in autumn 2017 and 2018 to much acclaim and the production was a finalist for the NRTF play of the year awards.
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In Praise of Elephants
This play sat with me for about five years. In the end it became something I am very proud of. I think it is a piece about the lies we willingly believe. Part of the joy was in the forming of new artistic collaborations – Catherine Ireton, who is an astonishing singer, Simon McCorry who created delightful videos and my dear friend Kevin Dyer.
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For one night only
A play about friendship and belonging by Dipo Agboulage that toured nationally, twice, with a black African cast to village halls. It said as much about what we share as it did about the things that make us different and managed somehow to be both delightfully and provocative.
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The Polish Play
Written and directed by Gavin Stride. This piece grew from a demonstration of the possibilities of working with village halls at a promoter’s event yet went on to become my most successful productions with three national tours. The piece traced the arrival in rural England of a young woman who is to take up a post as a nanny and her over protective father.
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Iranian Feast
After sitting here for more than two years Kevin and I made a show that started in Tehran standing on the roof of the central library looking out over the city whilst it snowed. Its a story about a family taking flight who gather their friends one last time to share a meal. We toured nationally to village halls across the UK twice.
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Independent People
By Haldor Laxness adapted by Charles Way. A co-production between Moguleikhusid from Iceland and New Perspectives Theatre Company. Performer – Ragga Gudrun. This production toured to village halls, the Pride of Place Festival and to Iceland as part of Reykjavik’s celebration of city of culture 2000.
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Drawer Boy
By Michael Healey. A co-production with Passé Muraille, Toronto and Farnham Maltings. The English premier of the hugely successful Canadian play that toured England.
