A new non-profit, community interest theatre company, we have secured a venue and dates for our first production.
We are staging the 'Shakespeare's Gunpowder Plot' at The Space, https://space.org.uk, 27th Aug - 7th Sept 2024.
We have big dreams and hope that this first production will be a launchpad to touring, workshops and education activities as well as new works and further productions.
The Company
Set up by award winning writer Steve Attridge, Skyros Productions is a new company with a focus on staging new writing, devised work and performance art and supporting emerging creative artists. Marina Sossi has joined as Company and Artistic Director bringing a wealth of creative energy and performance technique to the project.
Our remit is to create challenging stories that engage with questions of identity, history and culture. We want to give a platform to new work, new artists and emerging talent, working in community spaces to contribute to the development of great theatre that reflects and gives back to the communities it serves.
This first play is an example of our ambition to make big stories come alive through strong character and telling detail.
The Play
Shakespeare is the King’s favourite and the darling of London, but when he learns about the gunpowder plot, his latest work, Macbeth, suddenly becomes incendiary. King killing is now a real possibility. Shakespeare planned to justify regicide but now, with often ludicrous help from King James himself, he must rewrite the play to get himself out of trouble and distance himself from the Gunpowder Plot. He moves from feeling free to practice his art to feeling that his play is a monster that might destroy him. Compromise or face treason is the painful choice he must make.
Though covering weighty subject matter, the play is full of humour. Modern audiences will appreciate the detailed characterisation of important historical figures, alongside lesser known ‘supporting players’ such as Burbage and Armin and ‘extras’ like Bet the Barmaid in the Mermaid Tavern. ‘Shakespeare's Gunpowder Plot’ is essentially a London story – centre of government, of theatre, of the plague, and the birth of great British theatre traditions. A unique story about the dangers of artistic freedom, self-preservation versus free will and how, at certain periods in history, you must watch your back, front and sides. Tensions, reversals, treason and gallows humour throughout.
Where your funding will go
Your donations will go towards staging: costumes, props, technical support, and promotion. Your support may provide vital match funding for exciting developments including staging the play in other theatres, touring and developing a schools' offer to support teaching Shakespeare.
The Space is a wonderful, community theatre run by St Pauls' Arts Trust. Their aims as an organisation are to increase access to the arts and provide support for new artists. They are supporting us by agreeing a two-week run on a profit-share basis from ticket sales, so a successful production from us will also support this invaluable community resource.
You will support community engagement in the arts, by enabling us to offer concession rates for lower income groups and those who might not access theatre in their community. If we raise match funding we also plan to invite local schools for a weekday matinee.
Performers and technical team are currently working on a profit share basis, so we want to give them the best value we can for their skills, time and energy. As they are majority new talent at the start of their professional life, they need an amazing performance to boost their profile: show-reels, agent invites, press-night and reviews can all help launch successful careers in the arts. Your contributions will help make this a play to remember and support the development of new theatrical talent - supporting the stars of the future.
If we raise enough we would also aim to support our artists and performers by offering financial help with travel and expenses. Any profit made above the expenses given above, will go back into the company to continue our mission of producing new work supporting emerging artists.
We hope you are able to help us get our first show off the ground and join us on this exciting journey!