New Writing SouthTheatre Producers
PRODIGAL THEATRE COMPANY
& THE NIGHTINGALE THEATRE
Prodigal draw on elements of contemporary dance and laboratory theatre practice to underpin their character based narrative driven performances with subtle physical grace and unexpected moments of flight. Whilst much of their work has been based on theatrical classics, Prodigal make many interventions into the texts used, and employ montaging techniques to introduce texts from other sources, with original writing gelling the whole together.
In late 2002 Prodigal Theatre agreed to become the managers of The Nightingale Theatre. January 2003 was spent preparing the venue to open it as a rehearsal space, and Prodigal then spent most of 2003 and the first month of 2004 taking the venue forward until it gained its performance license and opened in February 2004 as a working theatre.
Our Manifesto:
Integrity, Time and Space
In Performance the word Integrity indicates work where the honesty of the artists and creativity of the audience are pre-requisites.
In Performance the word Time references the patient creation of work, the temporary sharing of it and the ongoing reflection upon it.
In Performance the word Space denotes the place in which work is created and performed. It represents the physical opportunity for a creative act to take place
Programming
The Nightingale will programme exclusively work that they have seen previously, or work by artists with whom they will build a relationship based on development. Touring shows will be selected with the intention of broadening the diversity and raising the standard of work shown in the city. New work will be supported on the basis of developing artists and work with integrity.
The company will only programme professional work, though this includes the work of students, graduates, new, emergent and established artists. All of these can expect the same 50% - 50% box office split, and none will be expected to provide a guaranteed take.
The Nightingale will programme theatre and dance together in the belief that the separation of these two disciplines is unnatural and that theatre and dance should not only comfortably co-exist but that through sharing a space the one will learn from the other, and both will be improved by the meeting.
The company will seek to attract ‘Masters of the profession’ to perform in a space that they would not usually appear in; to share their knowledge with emergent artists and help sustain a standard of excellence.
As the resident company Prodigal Theatre will aim to produce 2 new works each year, for and in the venue, and will establish a repertoire of works to be performed here. The venue is especially dedicated to supporting the creation of new work and the ongoing development of artists.The company will commission work to be created and performed here by other companies and practitioners.