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Dateline: 11th November, 2006
Merged Welsh Company Appointments The new company created as a result of the merger between Sherman Theatre and Sgript Cymru, which is currently trading as the Contemporary Theatre and New Writing Company (CTNWC) but will be renamed at its ifficial launch next year, has announced the appointment of its first Chair, Emyr Jenkins, and new Director, Chris Ricketts. The new company, which will become fully operational from 1st April 2007, sees the union of two of Wales' most well known producers of Welsh and English language theatre and writing for the contemporary arts. It is supported by the Arts Council of Wales. Emyr Jenkins, who will take up his new job from 21st November 2006, has had a lifelong association with the arts in Wales including five years as the Chief Executive of ACW. Speaking of his new role, Emyr Jenkins said, "The merging of the Sherman Theatre and Sgript Cymru is an exciting prospect which, I believe, will help create a new world-class powerhouse for touring drama in Wales and beyond. Their combined talents and skills will ensure that we continue to inspire, challenge and entertain audiences, and the appointment of Chris Ricketts is the next step towards building on the considerable achievements of two separate organisations, now working as one, and achieving this goal." Chris Ricketts comes to the role with more than twenty years experience working in the performing arts across the UK. For the past four years he has been Director of Wales Arts International, the partnership between the Arts Council of Wales and British Council Wales, during which time he successfully took Wales to one of the biggest ever arts events, the Venice Biennale, for the first time. He has previously held roles at senior level at Theatr Brycheiniog, Clwyd Theatre Cymru and Liverpool and Merseyside Theatre Trust (Everyman and Playhouse). Chris Ricketts said, "The chance to direct this new company is an exciting opportunity for me. The Sherman and Sgript are two giants in contemporary Welsh drama, and we have a wonderful opportunity to enhance the creative achievements of theatre not only in Wales but also on an international level. "I'm thoroughly looking forward to working with everyone to realise a vibrant, dynamic and compelling organisation which inspires emerging and established talent, encourages young people to get involved, as well as creating an artistic programme we can all be proud of - and that audiences will relish again and again." Welcoming the announcement, Jane Clarke, Director of Operations at
The Arts Council of Wales (ACW), the body responsible for developing
and funding the arts in Wales, said, "ACW fully supports these
key appointments which will now drive forward the vision for the Contemporary
Theatre and New Writing Company. They both bring an enormous amount
of experience and passion for the arts, which I know will be reflected
in the work of the new company that will benefit audiences across the
whole of Wales, and internationally." In addition to developing a new artistic vision, the new merged organisation will be undertaking a major refurbishment of the Sherman Theatre in order to create an new performance space and a home for new writing. This work is expected to start in early 2008. In the meantime the new company will build on the strengths of the existing two companies and under the new Director be developing its plans for contemporary theatre and new writing, touring and comprehensive outreach programme. The new artistic programme will be unveiled in early 2008. Simon Harris (Sgript Cymru) and Phil Clark (Sherman) will continue in current their roles until 31st March, 2007. Please note that all three Archive indices are very long and will therefore take some time to download.
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