Emma Rice's company Wise Children will be Company in Residence at London's Old Vic from 2018 when she steps down as Artistic Director of Shakespeare's Globe.
The South West-based company, which has been awarded National Portfolio Organisation status for 2018-22 by Arts Council England, will open Matthew Warchus's fourth season as Old Vic Artistic Director with a new adaptation of the Angela Carter novel which gave the company its name, Wise Children.
Wise Children the company will work in partnership with venues to create ensemble work to tour nationally and internationally together with a training and apprenticeship scheme, Emma Rice’s School for Wise Children.
Warchus said, “in 2018, The Old Vic celebrates 200 years of independent, creatively adventurous theatre. I am thrilled to welcome Emma and her new company, Wise Children, as our Company in Residence for the bicentenary. Emma and all she stands for is symbolic of the optimism and irrepressible spirit that has kept The Old Vic at the forefront of artistic adventure for the last two centuries.”
Rice added, “I named my new company Wise Children after Angela Carter's seminal novel, which is set in South London and is a love letter to theatre. It makes total narrative and thrilling sense to start the Wise Children journey at The Old Vic!
"This iconic, independent and proudly innovative theatre has hosted Shakespeare and variety, music and dance alike for almost 200 years and it is the perfect first home for my company and for our first production. It will come as no surprise that this first production will be an adaptation of the novel Wise Children—'What a joy it is to dance and sing!'.
"I am following in extraordinary footsteps and grateful to Matthew Warchus and his team for welcoming Wise Children with such brave and open arms.”