The British Theatre Guide: New Production Company to Launch

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Dateline: 24th March, 2005

New Production Company to Launch

Seven well known London theatre figures are to combine their talents in a new company, The Ideas Foundry, which will launch on 5th April. Focused on creating new work for theatre, film and television, it is "dedicated to forging new work and collaborative relationships between talented people with exciting ideas thereby creating exhilarating theatre and cross-media entertainment of significant artistic and commercial value."

The company will consist of:

Robert Cogo-Fawcett - Chairman who has extensive knowledge and experience of the theatre and entertainment industry. He is currently Managing Director, Continental Europe for Clear Channel, a director of the Society of London Theatre and Chairman of its Finance Committee, and Lead Advisor on Touring for Arts Council England.

Joe Harmston - Chief Executive has fifteen years experience as a director in the UK and USA including West End productions of The Collection, The Lover, The Birthday Party and Wait Until Dark.

Paul Savident - Marketing Director runs Paul Savident Marketing & Press Management Company and spent four years as Marketing Manager of Bill Kenwright Ltd. Currently he is Director of the recently formed Cloud Ten Productions.

Peter Teale - Finance Director is a Chartered Accountant and has occupied senior financial positions with several multinational companies including Granada Media, HSA, Virgin, Unisys Computers, Timberland and LA Gear.

Thomas de Mallet Burgess - Director, Musical Projects has directed over fifty operas, musicals and plays in the UK, Europe, Japan and USA. He is currently the Artistic Director of Team Educational Theatre Company in Dublin.

Nicholas Skilbeck - Musical Director is a Musical Director, composer and author who has spent much of his career working on new productions. He is currently the Musical Director of Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre.

Andrew Whelan - Director, New Writing Projects has fifteen years experience as a writer and composer for theatre, television and radio. Has written extensively for Granada, Carlton, the BBC - TV and radio - and LWT.

By investing in new work – whether drama, comedy or musical – from the earliest stages through to full theatre production and eventually film and television, The Ideas Foundry intends to achieve significant earnings through the ‘exclusive rights’ that exist to the original producers. The revenue streams include earnings from cross-media ventures (television, film, audio, books, merchandise) as well as any theatrical productions worldwide.

The new company is looking at raising an initial capital requirement of £350,000 with further capital being raised for individual productions. Its objective is to commence development on fifteen to twenty projects a year and finalise six to ten for production each year. The development of several projects minimises the risk and increases the chances of creating one of the small number of projects that produce “super” profits, as did Cats, Art, The Mousetrap and The Phantom of the Opera.

The launch event at Drapers’ Hall on the evening of 5th April will give an opportunity for producers, journalists, literary agents, writers, and people interested in hearing more about investment in theatre and The Ideas Foundry to hear and discuss the aims of the company and opportunities on offer.

The company already has six shows ready for production, three at an advanced state of development and two at the beginning of the development process.

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