Author Archive

Paines Plough stories: Anna Furse

Posted on: June 13th, 2025 by ppEditor

Anna Furse was the Artistic Director of Paines Plough from 1990-1994. We sat down with her to celebrate her time at the reins, to ask about her time with her greatest memories, her biggest challenges and successes, and where she is now.

My vision for Paines Plough was…

to bring the company into a mission that understood that new writing at its best has always suggested new ideas about theatre and what it can do, i.e. that strong and innovative writing tends to push at the edges of envelopes; to bring writers into dialogue with a range of other artists working in live performance, including visual theatre, site-specific, immersive theatre, music theatre and dance.

This was actually prescient, as the past 15 years can demonstrate, and my vision would remain always that writers collaborate in theatrical processes as well as initiate the textual framework for production.

I also wanted to take the company into European collaboration and international touring, both of which we achieved, and to work on the middle-scale which we also achieved.

My biggest challenge was…

convincing the more traditional new writing community that this was the way ​forward and the future of UK theatre ​and that it would not threaten but ​broaden the scope of new writing and ​support writers’ careers.

My most memorable moment was…

There were so many. Perhaps the ​negotiations in Moscow for the tour ​there with the Anglo-Soviet Association that involved meeting just about every ​luminary in the Russian theatre scene ​(many of whom wanted visas to come to the UK via an invitation) in darkened smoke-filled rooms.

This was 1991 and in the ​very early days of glasnost. There was nothing to ​eat except bread and caviar (!) and cheap champagne (that doubled ​as ​very effective toilet cleaner).

In one long negotiation with the young ​self-made producer at the Maly Theatre bar, I had to explain the nature of a contract. This was all new to the communist of the day. I had to explain ​that we couldn’t just drink vodka and ​agree to find the next Chekhov together. I had to explain carefully and in detail (and why, which was interesting in a session predicated on mutual trust and ​friendship) that in capitalist ​economies, collaborating parties need ​to ​set up some legal terms of ​agreement ​because they might rat on ​each other.

​This proved really baffling, and we had ​to break off ​these arduous ​conversations to get ​some air.

We went ​for a walk in Red Square, which was still ​light at 11pm, and ​where young people ​could be seen ​eating McDonald’s – that ​they had ​queued hours for – because McDonald’s ​had only ​just arrived.

I’m most proud of…

Being ambitious in everything I tried to ​do for the company; bringing it into a ​‘Key Organisation’ status with the Arts ​Council at the time; increasing its core ​revenue, and moving it artistically in ​new directions.

Working in various ways in France, including in Chalon-sur-Saône (co-​producing Down and Out in Paris and London with them), Comedie de Caen ​where – as artistic director of Paines Plough – I worked ​as a consultant on contemporary new ​writing in the UK for 2 years in a range ​of ​colloquia, laboratories, workshops ​and productions; Theatre de ​Bennevilliers in Paris, where we ​performed Down and Out in Paris and Llondon alongside the wrestling ​school in a major UK new writing ​festival scenes d’outremanche.

I am ​proud to have collaborated with ​fantastic writers and actors, the ​luminary stage designer Sally Jacobs and composers Graeme Miller and ​Stephen Warbeck on most of these. Giving James Dreyfus his first ​professional job as the young Freud; ​commissioning lots of women writers; ​producing the UK premiere of Michel Azama’s searing play about the effect ​on kids of the first Iraq War Crossfire ​(translated by Nigel Gearing) and ​the poet ​Adrian Mitchell calling me in tears ​after the preview saying it was too ​powerful to watch. Having the real ​waxwork arm of Marie Antoinette from ​Marie Tussaud’s workshops on stage of ​Wax by Lavinia Murray; employing total ​newcomers at the time, such as ​Roxana Silbert and that we launched ​hers and others’ careers; bringing an ​unforeseen deficit to ​zero within one ​year without ceasing production; ​finding the Aldwych premises, thanks to ​the indomitable Thelma Holt; Leaving the company financially ​stable when I resigned, despite so many ​challenges in ​my final year, in which I ​also achieved pregnancy after a long ​struggle. Taking risks.

I wish I had produced…

More.

And Adrian Mitchell’s revised version of Tyger, about William Blake that we commissioned but ​couldn’t stage in the end.

I couldn’t have done the job without…

the support of my partner, my own artistic ​mentors, ​the Arts Council (who believed in what I ​was trying to achieve at the ​time), my ​collaborators, and of course the company team ​as ​well as the support – for most of my time – from ​the board, who originally employed me and ​encouraged me to be somewhat maverick.

Touring is important because…

It reaches people and makes us humble.

Now, I’m…

Professor and head of department of theatre and ​performance at Goldsmiths, Universirty of London, ​where I also lead an international laboratory MA in ​Performance ​Making (with Graeme Miller); I am co-​director of the interdisciplinary centre of the ​body at Goldsmiths ​and curator and chair of the ​performance research forum. I am artistic director of my company Athletes of the Heart, with whom I create a range of projects ​internationally as writer/director/maker (see ​www.athletesoftheheart.org).

Announcing our new Executive Director

Posted on: June 4th, 2025 by ppEditor

We’re delighted today to announce the appointment of Claire Simpson who will take on the role of Executive Director in August this year, with Lilli Geissendorfer joining the company until then as Interim Executive Director.

Working in the arts since 2006, Claire has recently been Relationship Manager for Theatre at Arts Council England, with previous roles including General Manager at Belgrade Theatre Coventry, the Gate Theatre and Paines Plough, where she now returns in the senior role. Claire has served as a trustee for the Independent Theatre Council and the theatre company curious directive where she became Chair of the Board.

As a passionate advocate for accessibility in theatre, Claire is also a trained audio describer with credits at the Bridge Theatre, Gielgud Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre. 

Executive Director of Paines Plough, Claire Simpson said:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be taking up the post of Executive Director for Paines Plough. Having first worked for the company 15 years ago, it feels like coming home. Working with Katie and Charlotte to realise the artistic and strategic ambitions for the company is hugely exciting, and I’m energised by the prospect of supporting talented writers across the country, while establishing our new base in Coventry.”

Joint Artistic Directors of Paines Plough, Charlotte Bennett and Katie Posner added:

“It’s a joy to welcome Claire into Team Paines Plough, and as we look to the next chapters of this company’s story and continue establishing new roots in the Midlands, we couldn’t have asked for a better candidate to join us in this key strategic role. Claire’s passion for new writing, Paines Plough and touring theatre, alongside her vast experience working both in the West Midlands and nationally, brings a unique set of skills that makes her perfectly placed as our newest team member.”

Announcing our Mentored Writers for Year 3 of Tour the Writer

Posted on: May 30th, 2025 by ppEditor

We’re delighted to announce year three of Tour the Writer, our multi-year writer development programme in partnership with seven locations around the country.

We’ve selected two writers from each of the 7 areas, who we’ll continue to mentor through the next year, and whose work will culminate in a showcase of their work.

Bradford (Bradford 2025 & Bradford Producing Hub):
Dan Loops & Jan Ruppe

Colchester (Mercury Playwrights in association with Tour the Writer):
Emma Bernard & Ben SantaMaria

Coventry (Belgrade Theatre):
Sara Amanda & Matthew Gabrielli

Cumbria (Theatre by the Lake, Keswick):
Sophia Atcha & Rachel Price

North Devon (Landmark Theatres):
Kayleigh Mai Hinsley & Selina Keedwell

Peterborough (Landmark Theatres)
Jessy Roberts & Emily Swettenham

Plymouth (Theatre Royal Plymouth):
Jon Nash & Jane Spurr.

Tour the Writer has been generously supported by the Noel Coward Foundation in Year 2 and the Garrick Charitable Trust in Year 3.

 

 

West Midlands Open Auditions – May 2025

Posted on: April 25th, 2025 by ppEditor

Paines Plough Open Auditions
Tuesday 20 May

11am-5pm at the Belgrade, Coventry

Paines Plough are running another round of Open Auditions at our new home at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry.

We’re looking to meet actors currently based in the West Midlands, and previously unknown to Paines Plough, with a passion for new writing.

Auditions will be friendly and informal; a chance to meet representatives from a range of West Midlands venues and ask any questions you might have about our work. We can meet you in pairs or on your own.

At this round of Open Auditions, we are particularly interested in meeting Trans and Non-Binary actors, and will be reserving a number of slots for artists who identify as Trans or Non-Binary.

Auditionees will be meeting:

Sound good? This is how to apply:

Please click here to fill out the application form for our West Midlands Open Auditions.

Some things to bear in mind:

Check out our FAQs at this link for more information about the application process and what to expect on the day, or ping us an email at hannah@painesplough.com if you’re not sure about anything.

Hope to see you there!

Click here to fill out the application form for our West Midlands Open Auditions.

Announcing the recipient of our 2025 Playwright Fellowship, Corey Weekes

Posted on: March 26th, 2025 by ppEditor

Announcing: the recipient of our 2025 Playwright Fellowship, Corey Weekes.

We first came across Corey at a reading of his play Quicksand at the Criterion, as part of the Adopt a Playwright award. It was a huge ambitious play about Alzheimer’s disease, with a knotty and fascinating central character, which got to the heart of how the disease can tear into families. We watched his writing come to life in a different form again later, through his weaving of lyrics into the Belgrade’s production of Romeo & Juliet.

So, we met with Corey to discuss what he wants to develop next as a writer, and we felt he was at the perfect crossroads in terms of his development to benefit from a longer-term attachment to Paines Plough, and take his craft onto its next step.

With us, Corey have some time and space to explore new ideas for a new play. He will receive a bursary, mentorship from our Artistic Directors, and will be part of our office and artistic team.

Find out more about Corey Weekes here.


 

Midlands Open Auditions – February 2025

Posted on: February 12th, 2025 by ppEditor

Paines Plough Open Auditions
Wednesday 26 February
11am-5pm at the Belgrade, Coventry.

We’re running Open Auditions at our new home The Belgrade in Coventry.

We’re looking to meet Midlands based actors previously unknown to Paines Plough with a passion for new writing. Auditions will be friendly and informal; a chance to meet representative s from a range of Midlands venues and ask any questions you might have about our work. We can meet you in pairs or on your own.

This is just the first round of Open Auditions that Paines Plough will be running from their new home in Coventry, so if you don’t get a slot this time, do keep an eye out for the next round.

You would be meeting:

Sound good? This is how to apply:

Some other things to bear in mind:

Hope to see you there!

All the slots for 26th February have now been filled, thank you for your interest in auditions.

Don’t worry if you don’t get a slot this time, there will be more chances to attend Open Auditions. Sign up to our mailing list and check the ‘Open Auditions’ box for updates.

Join the Supporters Circle

Posted on: February 9th, 2025 by ppEditor

To celebrate our 50th birthday, we are thrilled to announce the launch of Paines Plough’s Supporters Circle which will support our mission to discover, develop and empower writers across the UK.

Join our founding members, playwrights James Graham and Nick Payne, to support Paines Plough’s productions now and for the next 50 years.

Supporters will receive:

In our 50th anniversary year we want to recruit 50 patrons to support our work.

Supporters are asked to donate a minimum of £1,000 a year: you can donate monthly or annually.

If you would like to receive more information or join James Graham and Nick Payne in their support of Paines Plough, please contact Paines Plough’s Executive Director Jodie Gilliam at jodie@painesplough.com.

Paines Plough’s 50 for 50 Raffle

Posted on: February 6th, 2025 by ppEditor

The winners of our 50 for 50 raffle prizes have been announced below!

If you have a winning ticket, please claim your prize by sending in the following proof to office@painesplough.com, with the subject heading ‘Raffle Prize Winner’.

A tour of Abbey Road Studios
Winner: 113 PINK (barcode number: AD 244142)

Behind the Scenes of Bridgerton Tour of Castle Howard
Winner: 14 BLUE (barcode number: AD 234106)

Trullo cookbook signed by Tim Siadatan, the chef director of Trullo
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 208320287

Traditional Afternoon Tea for Two, in The Drawing Room at Brown’s Hotel, London
Winner: 89 WHITE (barcode number: 229465)

Massage at Studio Lomas
Winner: 140 PINK (barcode number: 244142)

Nick Hern Playtexts Collection
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 131415766

Three course meal for 2 at Boyds Grill & Wine Bar
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 130493544

Three course dinner for 2 at the Delaunay Hotel
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 175662468

A Strategic Love Play gift bundle
Winner: 32 PINK (barcode number: AD 244142)

Two tickets to Punch by James Graham, at the Young Vic in London
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 184096335

Two tickets to A Knock on the Roof by Khawla Ibraheem, at the Royal Court in London
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 129483518

Two tickets for the opening night of the Great Gatsby at the London Coliseum
Winner: 110 PINK (barcode number: AD 244142)

Two tickets for any Seabright Live show
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 174952221

Two tickets for any ATG Productions show
Winner: 61 PINK (barcode number: AD 244142)

Two tickets for a show at the Bridge Theatre in London
Winner: 32 PINK (barcode number: AD 244142)

Two tickets to The Gift by Dave Florez, at Park Theatre in London
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 107861770

Two tickets to Farewell Mister Haffmann by Jean-Phillipe Daguerre, at Park Theatre in London
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 197057096

Two tickets to The Comedy About Spies
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 184054066

Two tickets to the opening night of a soon to be announced National Theatre transfer
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 178994987

Two tickets to a show at the King’s Head Theatre in London
Winner: JustGiving receipt reference 132007133

If a prize is unclaimed after Thursday 6 March, it will be redrawn.

Line-up announced for the 50th Anniversary Gala

Posted on: January 29th, 2025 by ppEditor

Announcing our line-up for our 50th Anniversary Gala on 10 February 2025.

Celebrating 50 years of pioneering bold new writing, the evening will open with an exclusive world premiere short piece written by Paines Plough patron James Graham, performed by Monica Dolan as a rallying cry for theatre and new writing.

It will be followed by extracts from some of our past productions, performed by some incredible guests:

We’ll also be presenting a filmed segment featuring Olivier Award-winning actor and playwright Amy Trigg, who will record a scene from Reasons You Should(n’t) Love Me (winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting in 2021), in the venue where it all began for us as a company fifty years ago.

Guest hosts and appearances on the evening will also include Indhu Rubasingham (Artistic Director of the National Theatre), and playwrights James Graham, Roy Williams, Mark Ravenhill and Ryan Calais Cameron.

Click here to book your tickets for the 50th Anniversary Gala. Tickets start at £23.25.

As part of booking there is the option for a ‘Pay It Forward’ donation, which will go towards a ticket for an early-career writer who might not otherwise be able afford to attend. Stay tuned on our newsletter and our social media channels for details on the Pay It Forward tickets.

It’s an honour to announce this amazing line-up of plays and guests for our 50th Anniversary Gala. As a new writing company, it is in our DNA to always look ahead to what’s next: where’s the next tour stop? When’s the next workshop? What’s the next project? But for an evening, we’re allowing ourselves just one moment to reflect on Paines Plough’s incredible history, and to raise a glass to the many, many people and stories that have made their contribution to the fabric of British theatre, and to making our small but mighty company what it is today. We can’t wait to celebrate 50 years with this line-up, and to continue our unwavering mission to champion new writing as a priority for our stages.

My Mother’s Funeral: The Show – Advice and Wellbeing support links

Posted on: January 25th, 2025 by ppEditor

My Mother’s Funeral: The Show by Kelly Jones deals with complex and difficult issues related to the death of a loved one, grieving, class, funerals, and funeral poverty.

We’ve compiled a list of mental health charities and support groups below, for anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in the play.

If you need immediate support, or would just like someone to chat to, Samaritans offer a 24/7 helpline across the UK – call 116123 for free.

If you prefer to text, the UK also has a free 24/7 service: just text SHOUT to 85258.