Our Artistic Director David Shopland explains the story of how we got here...
The Past
8 years ago, I overheard a conversation on the London Underground simultaneously so mundane and yet so beautiful; containing nothing and multitudes all at once. I practically ran from Brixton Station to my beloved Crystal Palace and began typing. After locking myself away with nothing but a laptop and an endless supply of cherry cola, I emerged with the first draft of a play I absolutely knew would never see the light of day.
Not due to its content or subject matter, but simple financial logistics. You may have noticed in recent years the growing popularity of the 'One Person Play'; It's been my bread-and-butter as a theatremaker for over half a decade, and whilst I am incredibly proud of the solo shows I have created, produced and taken all around the world, the inconvenient truth is that, if one wants to make theatre as a non-commercial, non-charity status organisation, there is really no other option that's financially possible. Yet here I was, clasping a script with 5 performers, 2 acts and a running time of nearly 2.5 hours that I knew would be impossible to fund if I wanted to produce it myself.... So into the metaphorical bedside cabinet drawer it went to quietly disappear.
The Present
Fast-forward to the beginning of 2024: having found some success working as a theatre bidwriter and fundraiser alongside running Fake Escape, on a whim I decided to apply for a small pot of funding specifically to give authors and playwrights a little time to work on a project. To my disbelief, I was successful and was able to act out a life-long dream of going to my favourite childhood city, Paris, to do a complete rewrite on Cul-de-Sac, having barely even looked at it in the 7+ years since finishing that first draft. This was the kick I needed. This was the impetus to double down, roll up my sleeves and by hook or by crook get the funding to see this play finally reach audiences. It took several attempts, application redrafts, meetings with Arts Council England representatives and nearly a year of non-stop grafting, but eventually in November 2024 I found out Cul-de-Sac had been awarded funding. We had the money, and with that came confirmation of the fantastic venue in South London where we will be opening. It was all really going to happen... And suddenly, that meant I had to find more money... and fast!
The Future (and where YOU come in!)
What people might not know is that Arts Council will never fund 100% of a project, and in fact, the more 'match funding' you have, the better chance you give yourself of being awarded funding by them in the first place. This is particularly challenging being a non-charitable status company as 99% of the other charitable trusts and grant-giving bodies out there won't accept applications from any organisation that isn't a registed charity. Luckily, we have received lots of 'In Kind' support (non monetary support, such as heavily subsidised rehearsal space) and a few smaller pots of money, meaning we are now just £7000 away from raising the total budget of approximately £45,000!
So this, dear friends, family and f(ph)ilanthropists, is why you're reading this page today - right now. I am here to ask for any donations, from £1 up to £1000, to help us reach our full funding and ensure EVERYONE gets paid Equity Union rates for those performers or creators that its relevant to, and at least London Living Wage for assistants, administrators, marketeers and placements involved in the production. It also means we can have a fully representational Living Room set, and a fabulous PR company that will spread the word of the show and make all of this hard work worth it by getting it in front of wonderful audiences.
I know times are really hard at the moment. The cost of living is bearing down on many of us, and inflation is rendering charity a really difficult justification, but if you are able, and feel the urge, we would heartily welcome the support. Take a look at the awesome perks we have lined up, and please if you can, join me on the nearly-decade long journey of bringing this play to life...
The Play
Speaking of which, I should probably tell you a bit about Cul-de-Sac...
"It feels like things are getting faster, faster. Like culture, society, whatever is this roundabout in the middle of a park, and it’s spinning faster and faster and we’re all just trying to jump on at the right time. And if we miss the landing, that’s it. It’s over.” - Frank
Northwood Hills. Zone 6 London. The Middle of Nowhere.
Ruth is questioning every decision she’s ever made. Simon is grappling with a personality he can’t quite define. Marie is keeping a secret that could shatter everything. And Frank? Frank just wants his driveway back.
What starts as a quiet evening rapidly unravels, as polite smiles give way to sharp words, truths spill as freely as the booze, and when an unexpected guest arrives, the night explodes into chaos. It’s suburbia like you’ve never seen it before.
WhatsOnStage and multi OffWestEnd Award nominated playwright David Shopland dissects contemporary Britain with the precision of a scalpel and the unpredictability of a slammed door; peeling back the layers of Millennial civility with unflinching honesty. Tackling everything from cultural identity to the ever-increasing price of a London pint, Cul-de-Sac is a witty wine-soaked post-mortem on the quiet desperation simmering behind net curtains.
Cul-de-Sac makes its world premiere, presented by the acclaimed company behind the multi-5 star sell out Off-Broadway hit Saving Britney; Fake Escape.