That’s a wrap on 2023!
Here’s a note from our Artistic Director & Chief Executive Joe Hufton…
As we come to the end of 2023, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared with our audiences, supporters, and the communities we serve. We were delighted that we renewed our Arts Council England’s National Portfolio funding in March enabling us to continue delivering exciting work in Northumberland and launch our new ‘GROW’ programme.
Celebrating International Women's Day with "Josey the Indignant Daughter"
On International Women's Day, we were thrilled to introduce a unique and empowering experience with the release of "Josey the Indignant Daughter". This audio musical, created in collaboration with digital development agency The Space was written and composed by Katie Doherty. The piece was inspired by Northumberland born heroine Josephine Butler and was a celebration of the strength and resilience of women everywhere.
We were delighted to share the first live performance of the music from Josey at Alnwick Playhouse in November. We were joined by the Alnwick Playhouse Community Choir, a live band and brilliant panelists Karen Langdon, Sarah Bryson and Prof. Catherine Donovan to discus Josey’s life and legacy.
Josey, the Indignant Daughter
A free audio musical available wherever you download your podcasts. Written and composed by Katie Doherty, Directed by Joe Hufton.
Community Events: Sharing the Joy of "Josey"
We took the audio experience on the road across Northumberland to the rural and coastal communities we work with. We organized a series of community events, bringing people together to share in the power of Josey's story. The connections formed during these events highlighted the power of female activism and we look forward to more of these events in 2024.
Josey, Historical Talk and Listening Experience
We visited Spittal, Great Whittington and Blyth with our Josey experience and have new dates planned for 2024.
Cambois Creates
We continue to work on Cambois Creates, our project with different groups in Cambois, East Sleekburn and North Blyth. This year saw us reach out to more community members than ever to help us shape the activity that will be delivered in 2024. We are delighted to continue the work on this exciting project with partners The Tute.
Walk in Your Shoes
We’re often asked why as a theatre company we go on walks. The truth is it’s a great way to discover the county, meet with our audiences and also creatives. If you’re interested in our work, and want to meet with us really informally these walks are perfect. We have something special planned for 2024…
Launching "GROW": Nurturing the Future of Theatre in the North East
Recognizing the importance of supporting the freelance theatre industry, we proudly launched "GROW," a development program dedicated to empowering artists and creators in the North East. This initiative aims to cultivate talent, providing resources and opportunities for growth that will contribute to a vibrant and sustainable creative ecosystem.
We’ve delivered GROW Inspire activities to nearly 1000 pupils, ranging from Year 7 to Year 12, from 5 Northumberland schools.
We’ve engaged 4 early stage freelancers and 1 established freelancer with contracts including development bursaries and additional support.
We’ve engaged 2 freelance mentors.
November Club’s Development Programme
We’ll be advertising more GROW freelance roles in 2024 – join our mailing list to get these opportunities direct in your inbox!
Looking Ahead to 2024
As we look forward to the coming year, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. One of our key ambitions is the development of "Josey the Indignant Daughter" into a full-scale musical, promising audiences an even more immersive and captivating experience.
We’re also continuing to develop Cambois Creates in collaboration with The Tute. We’re working hard behind the scenes, in consultation with the local community to bring something special to the area.
A special highlight on our calendar for 2024 is the Walk in Your Shoes pilgrimage to Holy Island. The walk will be lead by Mary Gunn, who joined us in 2021 and has such a depth of knowledge on the area and landscape. This promises to be a unique journey bringing together communities in a shared exploration of history, culture and landscape.
Additionally, we're excited to continue hosting community events throughout the year, ensuring that the spirit of creativity and togetherness remains at the heart of our endeavors.
Finally we are working on some other top secret plans that we hope we will be able to talk about really soon…
As we close the chapter on 2023, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been a part of our journey. Your support, enthusiasm, and shared love for the arts have made this year truly exceptional. Here's to a new year filled with creativity, community, and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
Cheers to 2024!
Thanks for all your support,
Andrea, Kathryn, Louise and Joe.