Macclesfield theatre company expands with new CEO and TWO new plays
By Alex Greensmith
13th Apr 2023 | Local News
An award-winning Macclesfield theatre production company are celebrating expansion in 2023.
Northern Rep Theatre, started by former Ryles Park High pupils who reconnected before the pandemic, features the talent of Macclesfield playwright Laura Genders and director Tuirenn Hurstfield.
The company strives to tell stories of people from the north, by using acting talent from the north.
And one of those actors has joined up to become a third official voice in the company, in time for Northern Rep's fifth anniversary.
Pete Munro, originally from Wirral in Cheshire but now based in Macclesfield, has joined Northern Rep Theatre and will help them with their 2023 line-up of plays.
Macclesfield theatregoers may know Pete from playing a fictional prime minister at MADS Theatre last year, or in Northern Rep's own award-winning production 'Bysmal Boys, the latter being a play set in Macclesfield during the 1979 winter of discontent.
Pete will help with this summer's two plays from Northern Rep Theatre. Both will be a part of the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2023.
Macclesfield Nub News met with Pete, Laura and Tuirenn to find out more.
"I'm delighted to help out more at Northern Rep," said new fellow-CEO and Company Manager Pete.
"As well as being a new creative voice, I'll help find rehearsal space, solve problems and corral people together."
"This year we have started to establish a more permanent and fixed business plan", said Artistic director and co-CEO Tuirenn.
"Previous years participating in the Fringe Festival [and doing plays across Macclesfield] was about getting us known.
"Now that we have had successes with two award-winning shows, which had a second life running in Macclesfield last year, the drive for going forward is expansion which is why we are doing two plays in one year.
"Because we are entirely self-funded, the next project is based on what we make on the previous show, so by doing two shows in Fringe means we can put on a stronger quality of show in the autumn period and henceforth.
"For us, keeping small is key to our growth. We want to build a reputation, which could then in the long-term attract investors."
The two new plays have a small cast to manage the growth, but that does not mean their stories are not artistically lacking depth.
"Bright Lights City stars two female characters at different points in their life", added Tuirenn.
"It bases itself on the idea of nostalgia. One woman shouldn't have the perspective and wisdom she has, and the other is much more senior in her years but is embittered by the rat race of the city.
"The two personalities clash at the end of a nondescript seaside pier in Britain.
"It is a critique of the structures we put around ourselves when it comes to money and ambition. Questioning 'how necessary is aspiration?"
A family which hopes to nurture northern talent, actors who are a part of a Northern Rep production are often retained for future productions.
They are also able to show off their skills elsewhere to boost their portfolios, like helping out as a stagehand or media video editing for trailers.
"The other new production is a one-man show", explained Tuirenn.
"Bosie is a fictionalised account of Lord Alfred Bruce Douglas.
"He was also known as Bosie Douglas, from which the play is named after. He was a love interest of Oscar Wilde, whom he met in 1891 and knew until Wilde's death in 1900.
"It is based on Bosie's own writing, and is set in 1895 when Oscar has just gone to trial [for homosexual acts].
"By that point, Bosie had put himself from exile in France. He is feeling sorry for himself, his attitude and class status says that he does not have any responsibility for why he is in the position he is in.
"He was not a nice man. There are a lot of themes in this from homosexuality in Victorian England to the idea of fetishisation of salacious activities with minors.
"There is a strange tug-of-war going on within him throughout this 90-minute production.
"There was also suicide in his family. So he is a fascinating character to explore on stage."
Bosie will take to the stage from July 10 to July 13 at The Fitzgerald in Manchester.
Tickets start from £5 on this link. The company prides themselves on seeing ticket prices inexpensive, making the arts accessible for everyone.
While Bosie has their staman sorted, two actors are still required for Bright Lights City.
"We're delighted to welcome Pete to help us provide an amazing programme for 2023", said Literary Manager and joint-CEO Laura Genders.
"As well as his talents, having a third person allows us to veto any decisions and have more of a balanced management team.
"For example, we are currently casting for Bright Lights City, and will soon decide who will play the roles.
"We tell local stories, and would love to work with local actors. We've had lots of applicants so far but would love to see more actors from Macclesfield email us as well."
Bright Lights City will have a run of shows just a few days later, with tickets available HERE.
Both dramas will premiere in Salford and Manchester first, earning plaudits before coming to Macclesfield for a final homecoming round of shows, like with their previous productions.
Macclesfield: You can find more about Northern Rep Theatre on Facebook and Instagram. You can also donate to Northern Rep to help champion local arts on this link.
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