Stage is set for major players

SWINDON may have some way to go to rival the likes of London or Bristol’s high profile productions and moneyed playhouses but, of late, it has without a doubt earned its stripes as a vibrant alternative theatre scene.

With a fresh crop of companies entering the fray, it is slowly but surely shaking up the status quo and inspiring new generations of actors, writers and directors on the big city fringes.

From children’s troupes to adult groups, the town’s new players are determined to put Swindon on the map and nurture homegrown talent, often deterred by the capital’s astronomical drama school fees.

Among the bold few breaking the mould is Gatecrash Theatre Company.

A troupe with a difference, the fledgling group was born of sheer necessity, artistic director and founder Laura Barnes insists.

From would-be actors rejected by the handful of top-brass colleges in London to thesps unable to afford tuition and hobbyists after a fun diversion, but far too old for youth drama groups, one thing was clear to Laura: Swindon needed professional adult workshops to satisfy the needs of Swindon’s theatrically-inclined masses.

So the former Sixth Sense education and outreach coordinator took matters in her own hands and in 2014 unveiled Gatecrash Theatre.

“The opportunities for young people in Swindon are exceptional, but I felt people reached 18 or 19 and they had two options: work for one of Swindon’s big corporate companies or go to London, Bristol or Bath and get creative there,” says Laura. “I met a lot of talented young people who were getting older and I could see what was going to happen. They were going to lose this creative buzz and they needed to be able to continue in Swindon.”

Gatecrash, which is based at Commonweal School, is split into two sections: Gatecrash Ignite, for amateurs looking to wet their toes, and Gatecrash Evolve, for professionals, aspiring actors, writers or directors, or gifted amateurs committed to honing their skills and braving the stage. The group’s oldest member is 70-years-old.

“There’s that feeling that you’ve got to go to drama school, that there’s an official route into theatre, but there’s an alternative,” says the producer. “We’re gatecrashers in Swindon, but we’re sitting on a creative hub – we just need to let it blossom.”

Laura also stages full-scale productions under the Gatecrash umbrella, showcasing artists and promising amateurs all carefully handpicked through auditions. Each year one of the shows is led by a range of industry professionals who mentor students in their field of choice whether it be design, tech, acting or production. Recent productions include Breathing Corpses, Jerusalem and The Crucible in July.

Gatecrash will hold auditions to join Evolve on September 13. It will also offer aspiring actors the chance to put together a professional package complete with headshots and show reels in September.

For more information and to book a place or audition slot email gatecrashtheatre@gmail.com or go to gatecrashtheatre.co.uk

Quirky Bird Theatre is a different proposition altogether. Not strictly speaking Swindon-based, but close enough, the Royal Wootton Bassett company was formed last winter by artistic director Anna Friend.

It runs from the Methodist Church Hall and welcomes children as young as four up to 16. But don’t be fooled by the starting age, this is no amateur playgroup.

Quirky Bird is divided into three main strands: the school – Quirky Bird Juniors Juniors – and two professional companies, Quirky Bird Young Company and Quirky Bird Theatre.

“It’s important for arts practitioners to start people’s journeys in the industry young,” says Anna, who trained as a teacher at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. “There is still this X Factor mystery about careers in the arts, this idea that real people don’t become performers, but they do and they need people around them to say ‘This is possible’.”

Quirky Bird Juniors is split into three subdivisions, based on age but mostly ability and enthusiasm.

The Minis is aimed at pupils between four and seven.

The intermediate group is the level up. Seven to 11-year-olds are challenged to create their own material and thrust into the rigorous world of production. A senior section for children aged over 11 will launch in September.

Those so inclined can take their training to the next stage by joining Anna’s award-winning Quirky Bird Theatre. Aimed at her most dedicated and promising students, it operates as a full-blown troupe, with the time commitment, demands and hard work that entails. There, young people join forces with a professional crew and adult actors to learn the ropes from the experts and become well-rounded performers.

“I have the same expectations I would have with adults and I push hard, I demand focus,” explains Anna, who was recently appointed resident director at The Alma Tavern & Theatre in Bristol. “That’s a reflection of how the industry works. If they have no understanding of how a production comes together, they don’t have an appreciation of the industry they’re getting into. A better performer is one who understands they’re a part of the process.”

Quirky Bird’s recent production of Tusk Tusk scooped a string of accolades, including overall winner and the Peter English Award for Best Direction at the One Act Play Festival, and first place and Best Junior Actor for Rosie Walker at the All England Theatre Festival quarter finals.

Anna will run a Shakespeare Summer Intensive between August 21 and 27 for children over ten. To book or join Quirky Bird email quirkybirdtheatre@gmail.com or go to www.quirkybirdtheatre.com.

Then we have Prime Theatre, previously called Sixth Sense and one of the town’s oldest theatre companies, with 30 years to its credit.

It spawned professional troupe, Sixth Sense, and Swindon Youth Theatre. But having two groups with distinct names under the same umbrella caused no end of confusion and, over the years, they both ended up being referred to as Sixth Sense Theatre.

Finally the team used its 30th anniversary celebration to rebrand as a single entity, with its adult company and youth theatre arm cohabiting under the Prime family.

“It was a chance to revitalise the company,” says artistic director Mark Powell. “For us Prime says the right thing. It means first, important, getting something ready and that’s what we’ve been doing for 30 years.”

Swindon’s “best kept secret”, according to Mark, Prime is funded by Arts Council England and based at the Wyvern Theatre.

Now ready to usher in a new era of youth theatre, the team is expanding its focus from strict actor training to playwriting, design and technical tuition and production mentoring.

“Not everyone wants to be an actor or stand on a stage, but many of them have amazing talents they want to share,” he adds. “We want to give them a chance to experience every aspect of theatre.”

Last month Prime unveiled The Odyssey, a modern reimagining of Odysseus’s epic journey home, written and produced by its young thesps under the supervision of associate director Aaron Parsons and performed at the Arts Centre.

“We have young people who have ambitions to work in the industry and we want to give them every opportunity,” says Aaron, who trained at the Bristol Old Vic.

To join Prime Theatre or find out more call 01793 614864, email info@primetheatre.co.uk or go to www.sixthsensetheatre.com.