Reviewing shows inevitably brings me into contact with people surprised I have no professional involvement with the theatre—I just like going to plays. My amateur status means, however, I am always behind on news and gossip—for example, I thought The Lowry’s Developed With programme which supports new talent was no longer operational.
This would have been a great loss. After all, the musical comedy troupe SpitLip, the Olivier Award-winning team behind Operation Mincemeat, under an early name of Kill The Beast perfected their art as one of the participants of the Developed Withprogramme. Always wondered what happened to them—like I say: behind on the gossip.
After the country came out of lockdown, a number of theatres mothballed their studio facilities. I’d associated The Lowry’s Studio with its Developed With scheme and assumed, as there were fewer studio shows, the programme had been wound up. It was a surprise, therefore, to be invited to review Fade by Alice Cristina-Corrigan and find out it had been produced under the Developed With cohort.
The Lowry is continuing its commitment to the development of talent and support of new work with the launch of the 2024–26 Artist Development scheme and has made a callout for six independent artists or companies based in the North of England.
The scheme is supported by Arts Council England and Salford City Council and The Lowry will be investing over £40,000 in the development of new work by Northern artists—including a visual artist whose work will be presented in the venue’s gallery, alongside five performance-based artists or companies who will open new work in the Studio Theatre
The deadline for applications is Thursday 11 July 2024, 5PM. For more information and how to apply, visit The Lowry's web site, and feel free to invite the British Theatre Guide to review any shows that may result.