Projects

John Barleycorn Must Die

This is the first project we have undertaken as a company and one which is close to Chloe’s heart. John Barleycorn Must Die is about the land, taking up the mantle of a family farm and the risks run by those who produce our food.

We completed our first R&D over 2020/21 with the support of Arts Council England, Metal Peterborough, curious directive and Hightide. We have been granted the Cambridge Junction Troop New Ideas Award for 2022/23 which we will put towards the next stage of development; exploring how to perform the show on working farms in East Anglia and the East Midlands.

Team

Performer: Rosalind Ford

Director: Chloe France

Writer: Sarah Stephenson

Composer: Kitty Macfarlane

Co-Composer & Musical Director: Nick Barstow

Movement Director: Laura Dredger

Filmed & Edited: Daniel Coates

Lighting & Sound: Tom Clutterbuck

Artist Wellbeing Practitioner: Lou Platt

With thanks to Cher Taylor-border, Trevor Border, sisters Liz & Kate Genever,

Keely Mills & Paul ‘Bumper’ Mills, Arianne Churchman, Kerry Devine, Sue Shields & Gary Dixon

photos by Daniel Coates

John Barleycorn Must Die Read More »

Where We Dwelt

Our second project, Where We Dwelt, will tell the story of Norwich’s Jewish community in the late 1200s, set at Passover on the eve of their expulsion in 1290. Through integration, assimilation & destruction, Norwich has an under-explored Jewish Medieval story. 

We are working with writer/ director Jane Prinsley, the local Jewish community, the National Centre for Writing and Norwich Castle Museum to develop the show over 2021/22. We have completed the first stage of R&D which culminated in work-in-progress sharings at the Earlham Rd Synagogue and Dragon Hall.

‘It’s the collaboration of so many organisations and individuals, Jewish and non-Jewish, to tell the story of two centuries when there was Jewish life in Norwich through theatre, that especially impresses and excites me. Your multi-talented team and all the experience they bring to Where We Dwelt, and the inspiration of poet Meir of Norwich – every element is in place for an event as beautiful and evocative as its title.’ Judi Herman, Arts Editor, Jewish Renaissance.

The Eastern Daily Press featured the project in May 2022. The full article can be read here:

New play to set the record straight on Norwich’s Jewish history

Team

Performers: Deli Segal & Lauren Silver

Director/ Producer: Chloe France

Writer/ Director: Jane Prinsley

Dramaturg: Tash Hyman

Composer/ Musical Director: Joseph Finlay

Sound Design: Kieran Lucas & Enrico Aurigemma

Artist Wellbeing Practitioner: Lou Platt

Where We Dwelt Read More »