in partnership with The B-Bar
Supported Artists
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Thrive Associates
Scratchworks Theatre Company are a physical ensemble of three women who work collaboratively to create highly visual, playful theatre from scratch. Founded in 2013, they share a passion for creating original stories and use a diverse mix of physical movement, puppetry and live music to entertain and inspire our audiences.
Scratchworks are Thrive Associates at Barbican Theatre for 2019 - 2020.
Doris Johnson (DoJo) is a drag queen, a one-of-a-kind comedian, a political activist, a model, and number one queen of modesty. She creates sketches and jokes that force people to think differently, but also challenges political correctness and make people see that politics isn’t all that serious.
Doris Johnson is a Thrive Associate at Barbican Theatre for 2019 - 2020.
Assembleth Theatre Company (previously Drake’s Drummers Theatre Company) was formed in Plymouth in 2014. Since then they have gone on to have success at several national and international festivals as well produce theatre for a local and national stage.
They create shows for all ages, aiming to bring laughter to the heart of the theatre - using traditional stimuli, from Homer to Shakespeare, to tell stories that are accessible to everyone and can travel anywhere. From village halls and traditional auditoriums to first world war diving platforms, they take our unique and fast paced comedy across the country to bring high quality stories to the centre of the community.
(View an update from Assembleth on their name change here)
Assembleth Theatre Company are Thrive Associates at Barbican Theatre for 2019 - 2020.
Previous Supported Artists
Le Navet Bete are a theatre company based in Devon.
Barbican Theatre have co-produced a number of shows with Le Navet Bete, including multiple Christmas productions.
Beyond Face CIC are a theatre company based in Plymouth, with a commitment to promoting people of colour in the arts.
Beyond Face were Supported Artists at Barbican Theatre between 2015 - 2018, as part of our Flourish programme funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
PaddleBoat Theatre Company deliver high-quality productions and exciting workshops for children and families across the South West.
PaddleBoat Theatre were Supported Artists at Barbican Theatre between 2017 - 2018, as part of our Flourish programme funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Yskynna are vertical dance company based in Cornwall, who perform in non-traditional venues, and on high walls and tall buildings.
Yskynna were Supported Artists at Barbican Theatre between 2015 - 2017, as part of our Flourish programme funded by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
New Model Theatre are a new writing company based in Plymouth.
Barbican Theatre supported New Model Theatre on their Outpost pop-up theatre season at Royal William Yard, and as Flourish artists from 2013 - 2015 developed their production of Static.
Mars.tarrab was formed in 2007 by artists Rachel Mars and nat tarrab. They create new pieces of experimental theatre, live art and installations that are joyful, sharp, sad and witty. Mars.tarrab were winners of The Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award 2017
Mars.tarrab were Flourish artists during 2011, with Barbican Theatre co-producing the Edinburgh Fringe run of their show Tomboy Blues - The Theory of Disappointment.
Hannah Silva is a British writer and performer known for her innovative explorations of form, voice and language. She has been shortlisted for the Ted Hughes Award for New Work in Poetry, and won the Tinniswood Award for Best Radio Drama Script.
As a Flourish artist during 2011, Barbican Theatre co-produced the Edinburgh Fringe run of Hannah's show Opposition.
Events & Festivals
Plymouth Fringe Festival is an annual celebration of theatre, dance, comedy and live performance which takes place each May half term.
Featuring the best of homegrown talent from the South West, alongside a number of companies from across the UK and beyond, Barbican Theatre hosts performances and curates a programme of work along with other partners in the city.
Artists who have performed at Plymouth Fringe Festival include Botis Seva, Scratchworks Theatre Company, The Plasticine Men, Documental Theatre and In Bed With My Brother.
Plymouth Fringe Festival is produced by Toast in partnership with Barbican Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Plymouth Conservatoire, and has been supported by Arts Council England, TRAC and Plymouth Culture.
From Devon With Love was a festival of emerging work from Devon-based artists, produced in partnership between Barbican Theatre and the Bike Shed Theatre, Exeter.
The programme of work at Barbican Theatre was be presented across weekends in January, culminating with an end-of-festival showcase and celebration. Artists selected to take part included Richard Chappell Dance, Rabblerouse Theatre, Street Factory Studios and Rose Biggin.
As part of Barbican Theatre's Flourish programme, performances were staged on Friday evenings as a platform to showcase full-length work from local and emerging artists.
Flourish existed to address a lack of opportunities for artists to present and develop work in Devon, offering financial and in-kind support with an aim to nuture touring work at its early stages. Artists who performed in the Flourish programme include include Theatre Ad Infinitum, Hannah Silva, Mars.tarrab, Impermanence Dance Theatre and Jack Dean.
In The Flesh was a three-day explosion of exciting, challenging, vibrant and energetic work from across all forms of live performance, where artist could experiment and try out new ideas.
Each year Barbican Theatre opened its doors to a selection of artists who brought work in various froms - from scratch performances to fully-developed shows. Artists who presented early works at In The Flesh include Bryony Kimmings, Tom Marshman, Search Party, Stacy Makishi and Piff the Magic Dragon.