HIGHTIDE THEATRE RETURNS TO ALDEBURGH AND LAUNCHES NEW WALTHAMSTOW FESTIVAL

Aldeburgh Walthamstow

 HIGHTIDE THEATRE TO RETURN TO ALDEBURGH 12 – 17 SEPTEMBER 2017

 THE FESTIVAL OF NEW WRITING IS SET TO COME TO LONDON’S WALTHAMSTOW FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN BRAND NEW TEMPORARY THEATRE SPACE 26 SEPTEMBER – 8 OCTOBER 2017

 TWO WORLD PREMIERE PRODUCTIONS INCLUDE: o HEROINE AN EXPLORATION OF PATRIOTISM AND NATIVISM IN MODERN BRITAIN BY NESSAH MUTHY o KANYE THE FIRST CHARTING A SECOND COMING OF THE GLOBAL ICON BY SAM STEINER o ALONGSIDE THE RETURN OF THERESA IKOKO’S AWARD WINNING GIRLS, THE TALE OF THREE YOUNG FRIENDS WHO ARE KIDNAPPED IN NIGERIA

 FULL PROGRAMME INCLUDES THREE HEADLINE PLAYS, 12 COMEDY AND CABARET SHOWS, 2 HOURS OF TALKS, 11 PIECES FROM NEW WRITERS, SHOWS FOR SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES, A SITE SPECIFIC WORK AND STREET FOOD

IMAGES CAN BE DOWNLOADED HERE (Username: HighTide Password: Festival) @_HighTide_ #HighTide2017 / www.facebook.com/HighTideTheatre Instagram HighTideTheatre , Artistic Director of HighTide Theatre has today announced the company’s plans for 2017. The Suffolk festival, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016, is set to continue its winning formula of finding, nurturing and showcasing the country’s best new playwrights at its home in Aldeburgh this September. This year the company will transfer the productions to East London’s Walthamstow in a brand new temporary theatre space in partnership with Waltham Forest Council. ‘The Mix’ will come to London’s Walthamstow Town Centre for 12 days following the Aldeburgh season, bringing an eclectic arts programme to an area of London which currently has no mid to large scale theatre spaces and where there are consequently relatively low levels of engagement with theatre. The diverse programmes in both locations will include three headline plays (two of which are world premieres) and a programme of comedy, cabaret, talks and music. The Festival in Aldeburgh will run 12 – 17 September with a Press Day on 16 September. The Walthamstow Festival will run 26 September – 8 October with Press Nights on 26 & 27 September.

HighTide Theatre have produced work from their Suffolk home for the last decade with significant input from their audience. They also have a strong record of transferring a large proportion of their productions to London and across the UK. This structure has allowed writers and their work to reach diverse audiences and gain maximum exposure to the industry. The new format of presenting productions in both Aldeburgh and Walthamstow will allow HighTide Theatre to invest further in both playwrights and audiences. The company will be able to support developing writers, from identifying and commissioning them, developing their work with their core audience and then guaranteeing them a presentation elsewhere. Equally essential to the company’s plans is that the Festival allows HighTide Theatre to continue its work developing new audiences, in areas such as Walthamstow, where HighTide Theatre can use their ten years of experience to support Waltham Forest in their long-term plans for cultural development.

Steven Atkinson, Artistic Director of HighTide Theatre said: “This year we're focused on what HighTide Theatre is renowned for: commissioning bold and timely plays from the best new writers. We look forward to developing and previewing these world premiere productions in our beautiful home of Aldeburgh, and then for the first time bringing the whole festival to Walthamstow, alongside showcasing work by local artists. This new producing model for HighTide Theatre of two festivals allows us to take risks and continue to develop our productions with the input of our audiences in Aldeburgh. And then our new partnership with Waltham Forest Council and the National Theatre enables us to bring our fully formed productions all together to Greater London, where they can be seen by a wider and diverse community who would like a greater cultural provision in their area.”

HighTide Theatre will present two world premiere productions in 2017, Heroine by Nessah Muthy (Host) directed by the Festival’s Artistic Director Steven Atkinson and comic drama Kanye The First by Sam Steiner (Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons) directed by HighTide Theatre Associate Director Andrew Twyman. A co-production with Theatre Clwyd, Muthy’s devastating exploration of patriotism and nativism in modern Britain follows young ex-soldier Grace as she struggles to reassimilate into society following a medical discharge from the army. Steiner's first commissioned, and highly original, play will chart the second coming of global pop icon Kanye West. The play takes a timely look at identity and guilt in contemporary culture. Kanye The First is a co-production between HighTide Theatre and Paul Jellis in association with The Marlowe and The North Wall. Alongside these productions Theresa Ikoko’s Girls, joint winner of the Award (2016), the Alfred Fagon Award (2015), is set to return. Telling the tale of three young friends who are kidnapped in Nigeria, Ikoko wrote Girls to highlight the stories behind the headlines that quickly become yesterday’s news. Girls is a co-production between HighTide Theatre, Talawa Theatre Company and Martha Rose Wilson. Lorna Lee, Head of Culture & Heritage, Waltham Forest Council said: “Waltham Forest Council is delighted to be partnering with HighTide Theatre for the first time this year. Whilst the borough has a thriving cultural scene we do not have any bespoke theatres and a recent survey of residents showed that this was the cultural provision they felt was most lacking. By bringing the Festival to Walthamstow Town Centre we are able to provide theatre right on residents’ doorsteps. Some of our talented local artists are included in the programme and a number of our young people will have the chance to gain first-hand experience of a professional theatre. We’re proud that our borough is home to one of the most diverse populations in the country and it’s of the utmost importance to us that our cultural programme reflects this diversity. We’re sure that the range of shows on offer will appeal to a wide cross-section of our residents. We also look forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to experience Waltham Forest’s creative buzz.”

The Suffolk Festival has been a huge success over the last decade, premiering more than sixty productions by now major playwrights including , and . At the Festival in Aldeburgh there will be an ancillary programme of comedy, talks, music and plays. Productions will include Mobile by The Paperbirds, an intimate show that turns a caravan into a treasure trove for audiences of up to 8 at a time, a semi- staged reading of Sea Fret, a paean to her native Suffolk coastline by Tallulah Brown, Apphia Campbells’s Black is the Color of My Voice inspired by the life of Nina Simone, Fringe First winner Katie Bonna’s comic TED talk on the science of lying, All The Things I Lied About and internationally acclaimed singer, pianist and entertainer Joe Stilgoe will pay tribute to much-loved movies in Songs on Film. There will be a programme of comedy including Kieran Hodgson’s 2016 Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Award Nominated Maestro, as well as talks from actor Sheila Hancock and award-winning children’s writer Michael Morpurgo.

The move to bring the Festival to the heart of Walthamstow will enable Waltham Forest Council and HighTide Theatre to showcase work of the highest quality on people’s doorsteps in an area where 55% of residents are classed within low cultural engagement segments, as well as enabling the borough to develop partnerships beneficial to the area’s cultural sector. Free and discounted tickets are available to those with a Waltham Forest postcode and HighTide Theatre will be working to help young people find routes into creative roles, in collaboration with local organisation Big Creative Training, hosting a traineeship and work experience placements. The full programme in Walthamstow will include a late night comedy and cabaret strand, a series of talks, a site-specific production, Mobile, and a strand of work showcasing and supporting local creative talent. The comedy line-up is set to include: Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Dane Baptiste, Tez Ilyas and Jayde Adams. Cabaret and music artists include Joe Stilgoe who will perform Songs on Film, The Beatbox Collective and an exclusive preview of new music from Arthur Darvill. Waltham Forest has a younger than average population with increasing numbers of families with young children moving to the area so there will be shows for pre-school children and for school groups. Family work includes Little Angel Theatre’s Me… about a tiny baby penguin, Shark in the Park! based on the books by Nick Sharratt (The Hairy Maclary Show) and Waltham Forest based BeBop Baby with DJ sets from Nostalgia 77 and friends to get your minis up and dancing. The festival will showcase a number of local companies and artists including The Vanishing Man co-written and performed by Walthamstow resident David Aula and director Simon Evans.

In a continuation of HighTide Theatre’s mission to develop new writers, this year the Festival will also showcase two preview productions in both locations before they go on to be developed as part of the 2018 Festival. The debut commissions from Sophie Ellerby and Jon Barton are written under HighTide Theatre's First Commissions scheme. Alongside the preview productions there will be a series of first play readings from HighTide Theatre First Commission writers, an annual programme working with six writers, paired with Associate Artists to develop ideas from conception to full production.

HighTide Theatre will be partnering with the National Theatre, in Walthamstow, and Snape Maltings, in Aldeburgh, to ticket and market the two festivals.

HighTide Theatre runs 12-17 September in Aldeburgh and 26 September – 8 October in Walthamstow. ENDS

For more information contact Maisie Lawrence at The Corner Shop PR – 020 7831 7657 / [email protected].

KEY BIOGRAPHIES

Steven Atkinson is co-founder and the Artistic Director of HighTide Theatre. His directing credits for HighTide Theatre include In Fidelity (Pleasance Theatre), The Sugar Coated Bullets of the Bourgeoisie () Forget Me Not (); So Here We Are (Royal Exchange Theatre); Lampedusa (); peddling (Arcola Theatre/ Off-Broadway); Pussy Riot: Hunger Strike (Bush Theatre/ Southbank Centre); Neighbors (Nuffield Theatre); Bottleneck (Soho Theatre/ UK tour); Clockwork ; Bethany; Incoming; Dusk Rings A Bell (Watford Palace Theatre); Lidless (Trafalgar Studios); Muhmah (HighTide Festival) and The Pitch (Latitude). His other productions include Chicken (Paines Plough Roundabout) and The Afghan and the Penquin (Radio 4).

Following the staged reading of Normal in HighTide Theatre 2015, Theresa Ikoko, a Talawa Writers’ Programme playwright, debuted Girls at HighTide Theatre 2016. Girls recently won the Alfred Fagon Award, George Devine Award and was a named finalist for the Verity Bargate Award.

Elayce Ismail was awarded the JP Morgan Award for Emerging Directors 2014/15 and was Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, where she directed The Rise and Shine of Comrade Fiasco at the Gate Theatre as part of the Freedom Burning season. Her other directing credits include The Sound Of Yellow (Creative Associate, Taking Part), Simpatico ('5 Directors, 5 Plays, 5 Days' project at the Young Vic), Bed and Breakfast (Brighton Fringe and National Tour). She worked with Joe Wright as Jerwood Assistant Director on A Season in The Congo at the Young Vic. She was also co-founder and Artistic Director of Offstage Theatre.

Nessah Muthy is a writer for TV and theatre. She has written for Cardboard Citizens, National Youth Theatre and the . Nessah is under commission to the Kali Theatre and the National Youth Theatre. For screen, Nessah has written for Holby City, following successful completion of the show’s shadow scheme and has previously written for EastEnders: E20 and currently developing an original television drama for the BBC Drama Writers' Programme.

Sam Steiner is a playwright and screenwriter from Manchester, who has just finished an attachment at Paines Plough as their Playwright Fellowship. Sam’s debut play, Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, completed a national tour in 2016 after back-to-back sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe. The play is published by Nick Hern Books, received a reading in New York from Sienna Miller and Russell Tovey in 2016 and has been translated into several different languages. Other pieces of Sam’s work have been showcased at the Royal Exchange, Soho Theatre, Southwark Playhouse and Cannes Film Festival. Sam is also under commission at Paines Plough and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Andrew Twyman is currently the Associate Director at HighTide Theatre and an Associate Artist at Live Theatre Newcastle. For HighTide Theatre as Associate Director: Sugar Coated Bullets Of The Bourgeoisie (Arcola Theatre). For HighTide Theatre as Assistant Director: Those Who Trespass (The Arts Educational Schools), Forget Me Not (Bush Theatre). Theatre includes: Machinal (The Arts Educational Schools), Odd Shaped Balls (Old Red Lion/Edinburgh Festival/Space UK) Don’t Smoke In Bed (Finborough Theatre); Te Karakia (Vibrant 2015 at Finborough Theatre); Reason and Force (King's Head Theatre); Fair Exchange (Tabard Theatre). Andrew was also a member of the writing programme at the Live Theatre, Newcastle.

LISTINGS

HighTide Theatre runs 12-17 September in Aldeburgh, Suffolk and 26 September – 8 October in Walthamstow, London. : www..org.uk.

Press performances: Heroine & Kanye The First: 16 September, Aldeburgh Kanye The First: 26 September, Walthamstow Heroine: 27 September, Walthamstow

Box Office and more information: www.hightide.org.uk.

For information on the Festival in Aldeburgh see here. For information on the Festival in Walthamstow see here.

HighTide Theatre and Theatr Clwyd presents HEROINE by Nessah Muthy Directed by Steven Atkinson Set and Costume by Richard Kent Lighting Design by Elliot Griggs Sound Design by Adrienne Quartly ALDEBURGH: WEDNESDAY 13, FRIDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 8PM & SATURDAY 16 SEPTEMBER AT 12PM WALTHAMSTOW: 27 SEPTEMBER, 3 & 6 OCTOBER AT 7.30PM, 30 SEPTEMBER AT 7PM, 8 OCTOBER AT 2PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 30m Recommended age: 14+ Contains strong language HighTide Theatre and Paul Jellis in association with The Marlowe and The North Wall presents KANYE THE FIRST by Sam Steiner Directed by Andrew Twyman Set and Costume by Camilla Clarke Lighting Design by Jai Morjaria Sound Design by Alexandra Faye Braithwaite ALDEBURGH: TUESDAY 12, 14 SEPTEMBER AT 8PM & SATRUDAY 16 SEPTEMBER AT 4PM WALTHAMSTOW: 26, 29 SEPTEMBER & 5 OCTOBER, 7.30PM, 30 SEPTEMBER AT 2PM, 7 OCTOBER AT 7PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 40m Recommended age: 14+ Contains strong language Talawa Theatre Company, HighTide Theatre and Martha Rose Wilson presents GIRLS by Theresa Ikoko Directed by Elayce Ismail Set and Costume by Rosanna Vize Lighting Designer Andy Purves Sound Design and Composition by Richard Hammarton ALDEBURGH: SUNDAY 17 SEPTEMBER WALTHAMSTOW: 28 SEPTEMBER AT 7.30PM, 1 OCTOBER AT 5PM, 4 OCTOBER AT 7.30PM, 7 OCTOBER AT 2PM Venue: The Mix Running time: 1h 30m Recommended age: 14+ **

NOTES TO EDITORS

HighTide Theatre is one of the UK’s leading producers of new plays, and one of the few professional theatres focused on the production of new playwrights. Now entering its tenth year, HighTide Theatre has premiered more than sixty productions by now major playwrights including Ella Hickson, Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig, Nick Payne, Adam Brace, Beth Steel, Sam Holcroft, Luke Barnes, Vickie Donoghue, Anders Lustgarten, Jack Thorne and Joel Horwood. www.hightide.org.uk

Talawa Theatre Company is the UK's primary Black-led theatre company. Led by Artistic Director Michael Buffong, Talawa’s work is informed by the wealth and diversity of the Black British experience. For 30 years Talawa has created outstanding work by cultivating the best in emerging and established Black artists, investing in talent, developing audiences and inspiring dialogue with and within communities across the UK and internationally to enrich the cultural life of all. This April Talawa is co-producing with the Royal Exchange in Manchester in association with Birmingham Repertory Theatre. www.talawa.com

Paul Jellis is an award-winning independent theatre and events producer. His work encompasses new writing, multidisciplinary performance, interactive theatre and immersive experiences. He has worked with leading theatres across the UK including the Young Vic, Old Vic, Lyric Hammersmith, Sheffield Theatres and Birmingham Rep, and internationally in New York and Bangalore. His production of Barbarians at the Young Vic was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He has also developed and produced experiential events with global brands including Ray Ban, Courvoisier and PlayStation.

Martha Rose Wilson is an independent producer who produces under her own name and for Metal Rabbit Productions. She is also producer at The Coterie, which she co-runs with artistic director Caitlin McLeod, supported by , The RSC and Sky Arts. She has produced work at leading UK venues including The Old Vic, Criterion Theatre, Soho Theatre, Southwark Playhouse, Tobacco Factory Theatres and internationally at 59E59 Theaters, New York. Martha was one of the inaugural Old Vic 12 and producer for the Old Vic New Voices Festival. In 2016 she was awarded a Stage One Bursary for New Producers and is mentored by Lilli Geissendorfer, Producer at the Almeida Theatre.

The North Wall is an arts centre in Oxford with an eclectic public programme attracting over 20,000 visitors a year. The award-winning venue, designed by Haworth Tompkins, includes a fully flexible theatre/performance space, a smaller studio/rehearsal space, a dance studio and a gallery. The North Wall was established in 2006 to provide opportunities for artists and young people to make and experience art of the highest quality. Over the last ten years, The North Wall has built a reputation for its innovative work and emphasis on new writing. Since inception, it has programmed over 195 new plays, including debut plays of 32 new writers, and produced or co- produced 12 new productions. Alongside its programming, The North Wall has a mission to educate and inspire, running a series of free residential projects for early-career artists aged 18-25, called ArtsLab. The North Wall is situated on the grounds of St Edward’s School; the School is the venue’s principal sponsor, with additional support generously provided by Arts Council England and the Garfield Weston Foundation.

Theatr Clwyd produces exciting, dynamic, vibrant theatre for Wales and beyond. Led by Artistic Director Tamara Harvey it is a champion of world-class drama, new writing and family friendly work. Overlooking the Clwydian Hills yet only forty minutes from Liverpool it has three theatres, a cinema, cafe, bar and three art galleries to offer a rich and varied programme of visual arts, film, theatre, music and comedy. It works extensively with its local community, schools and colleges as well as creating award-winning work for and with young people. Over 200,000 people a year come through its doors and in 2015 Theatr Clwyd was voted the Most Welcoming Theatre in Wales.