Hello! We're PINCHY theatre, an award winning non-hierarchical artist collective who create live performance across the UK. We're fundraising for our new musical, FLITCH by Packham & Kealy. The show was a finalist for the highly competitive Charlie Hartill Awards 2024, selected for a masterclass with Claude-Michel Schonberg (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon), presented at BEAM2023 (the largest new musical theatre showcase in the UK) and workshopped with the talented students of Leeds Conservatoire. Now, we have the opportunity to bring FLITCH the musical to Great Dunmow, just two days before the real trials, in the very same venue.
FLITCH THE MUSICAL
Our new musical, FLITCH, is about the ancient Great Dunmow Flitch Trials. Since 1104, Great Dunmow has hosted the Flitch Trials, an otherwise lost tradition where married couples must prove to a mock court that they haven’t argued, or wished they were unmarried in a year and a day. If successful, they are awarded with a Flitch of bacon, or in layman’s terms, half a pig.
FLITCH AT THE FLITCH
This year, we have the unusual opportunity to bring the musical to the Flitch Trials festival itself. The real Flitch committee have generously offered to host us for a concert performance of FLITCH on the 11th July, in the venue where the real trials will happen two days later. The Flitch Trials only happen once every four years, so this we won't get this opportunity till the next Olympics.
WHY DO WE NEED MONEY?
We sadly didn't get our Arts Council Funding. We've been lucky enough to be able to fund two days of rehearsal, but we'd love to be able to pay everyone fairly for the work they're doing.
WHY SHOULD I DONATE?
In this industry it often feels like we're all passing the same tenner round. We shouldn't have to crowdfund our careers. It sucks, but we still have to try. We're hoping this fundraiser reaches people beyond the theatre industry. The heart of this show lies in how traditions evolve in a world that's outgrowing them, and gives rural towns a chance to celebrate their absurd histories. We're interested in connecting audiences from outside London, and expanding the perception of musical theatre.
Any donation, large or small, is highly appreciated, and will be used to support the development of our musical.