East Midlands-based touring company New Perspectives is inviting theatre artists across the Midlands to pitch a new idea to be part of its 2019-20 season.
Writers, directors, artists and companies are invited to submit a one-page pitch for a new piece of theatre or performance for rural audiences. The work can be a new play or adaptation, a devised performance or a site-specific piece.
New Perspectives artistic director Jack McNamara said, “artistic programming can often be quite a closed process and we wanted to challenge ourselves on that.
“We’re inviting all artists from across our region to come and surprise us with an amazing idea for our programme. It’s also an opportunity for us to meet and engage with new people and be inspired by the range of skills, experiences and ideas that they bring with them.”
Closing date for expressions of interest is Monday 5 March. Selected pitches will be held on Friday 23 March. Further information is available at the New Perspectives web site.
The company has announced its latest programme. McNamara commented, “over the next year New Perspectives will be packing stories from across the world into a van and taking them to venues large and small.
“Alongside revivals of two hit shows from last year, we have world premières by major international artists including John Berger and Chigozie Obiama and are launching new ways to work with the amazing local talent that characterises our region.
“I’m excited by the range of experiences we’re going to offer audiences around the country this year and am thrilled by the calibre of artists who’ll be part of it.”
One of the highlights is taking its children’s show The Giant Jam Sandwich to The Pleasance, London from 4 until 8 April.
New Perspectives is collaborating with Nottingham theatre-maker Michael Pinchbeck to bring to life for the first time in the UK John Berger’s study of an English country doctor, A Fortunate Man. The production contrasts the study of a devoted doctor in the 1960s who committed suicide with interviews with GPs today.
It will coincide with the 70th anniversary of the NHS and will open at Camden People’s Theatre from 13 until 17 June. It will then tour and will run at Summerhall at the Edinburgh Festival throughout August.
New Perspectives is also working with theatre-maker Alan Lyddiard to mark the Brexit referendum with a day of creative workshops and performances, Boston Stories, in Boston, Lincolnshire on Saturday 23 June.
The following month New Perspectives will stage the world première adaptation of the Booker-nominated Nigerian novel The Fisherman by Chigozie Obioma at HOME Manchester. It runs from 19 until 28 July before heading to the Edinburgh Festival and touring nationally until October.