Paines Plough's Associate Companies for 2012 are:
Forward Theatre Project
Forward Theatre Project aims to re-invigorate the relationship between emerging theatre artists and regional theatres and to create a community amongst peers. The company identifies a disproportionate amount of theatre-makers in London and a limited number of opportunities for developing artists to work across the country due to the financial and cultural pressures of an incredibly competitive industry. The company is led by Charlotte Bennett and consists of 25 emerging theatre directors, writers and designers.
Inner City Theatre
Inner City Theatre gives new voices to Urban London through stories and story-telling techniques that are rich, vibrant and energetic – but which rarely find their place in mainstream cultural practice. The company produces new shows for new audiences introducing plays that explore the many faces of the Urban British experience that has been misrepresented in theatre. The focus will be on embracing and celebrating inner-city characters and stories. The company is led by Stef O’Driscoll, Arinze Kene and Ikenna Mokwe.
Pieces Productions
Pieces Productions is committed to finding and producing astonishing but overlooked new plays. It has been established in order to allow a new wave of work to be seen on British stages that would otherwise have fallen through the gaps. The company aims to support new contemporary writers whose plays are politically and socially engaged, adventurous in form and risk-taking in their refusal to be pinned down by convention. Pieces Productions’ emphasis is the highest quality of writing, the most thorough direction, with the highest respect for the text, and the best acting in the country - important stories and difficult drama. The company is led by Clare Lizzimore and David Watson.
Theatre Uncut
Theatre Uncut raises debate and galvanizes action.The company asks both high profile and emerging writers from across the world to respond to the current political situation.The scripts are made available to download so anyone can perform the plays anywhere.By engaging as many people as possible in the widest range of social situations Theatre Uncut aims to create a vital theatrical exchange of ideas across the world.Theatre Uncut was originally created in response to the proposed cuts in public spending in October 2010. In 2011 there were 90 performances of the first collection of plays that happened simultaneously across the UK, Ireland, Germany and the USA. This year we are hoping for double that number in many more countries.
Director Hannah Price and Producer Libby Brodie founded the company and ran Theatre Uncut 2011. This year Emma Callander has joined as Co-Artistic Director and Sarah Brocklehusrt will take the role of Producer.
The Theatre Uncut 2012 plays will be written by incredible talents from the UK, USA, Syria, Egypt, Greece, Spain and Iceland. There will be preview events at Latitude and the Traverse during the Edinburgh Festival. The Main event will be happening in the autumn. Watch this space for dates and further info!
