It is 21 years since Out of Joint presented its first productions: The Queen and I by Sue Townsend, in rep with Jim Cartwright’s Road. To celebrate, the company will host a special event at the Arcola on Sunday 14 June, 5.30pm, which will include performances of scenes from the company’s extensive back catalogue and an invitation to support its future
As the UK’s leading UK national and international touring theatre company, Out of Joint certainly has cause to celebrate. The company was co-founded in 1993 by Max Stafford-Clark following his artistic directorship of the Royal Court Theatre, with its first producer Sonia Friedman, now one of the West End’s most successful producers.
“When I left the Royal Court Theatre I wanted to continue nurturing new work. I wanted to give writers the resources to make ambitious plays and tell important stories about our culture and society. That’s what Out of Joint does. And in touring these plays around the country we occupy a vital place in the ecology of many regional theatres. It will be gratifying and emotional to revisit some of these plays on this special evening – and gratifying to know that in joining us, our guests will be investing in new, inquisitive, epic theatre for the future.” Max Stafford-Clark, Artistic Director, Out of Joint.
“Creating Out of Joint with Max back in 1993 is one of the most important things that I have ever done. I learnt how to be producer with him, and I had the deep honour of being at his side, watching him at work for five glorious years. When we first met, Out of Joint was an idea on the back of a postcard, and within five years together we made it a world leader in theatre, touring radical new work across the world, and conquering the West End. It was the most amazing time of my life. Max is with me in everything I do. In every production, in every decision I come to, I always find myself asking, ‘What would Max think of this?’ His unerring and uncompromising approach, his relentless commitment and integrity is uplifting and inspiring. I would not have a career without Max or Out of Joint, and I miss it and him every day.”
Sonia Friedman, founding producer
Out of Joint has premiered plays by Sebastian Barry, Richard Bean, Caryl Churchill, David Edgar, David Hare and many others. It has produced acclaimed documentary plays by Robin Soans, including its current play Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage which reaches the Arcola next week, from 20th May. Out of Joint has launched the careers of writers including Mark Ravenhill and Stella Feehily, and its next production this autumn, Jane Wenham: The Witch of Walkern by BAFTA-winning writer Rebecca Lenkiewicz, the only female writer ever to have had a play premiered on the National Theatre’s OIivier stage.
Among the many actors who have performed in the company’s productions are Peter Capaldi, Stephanie Cole, Niamh Cusack, Sinead Cusack, Monica Dolan, Andrew Garfield, Henry Goodman, Celia Imrie, Suranne Jones, Donal McCann, Catherine McCormack, Patrick Malahide, Nigel Planer, Ian Redford, Danny Sapani, Jason Watkins and Paula Wilcox.
The company has produced 45 plays, and toured for 315 weeks in the UK. It has performed on six continents including dates in Latvia, Nigeria, India, Mexico, New Zealand and many more.
“It has been a busy start to my tenure at Out of Joint. I cannot wait for the Gala, at which we will not only pause to celebrate 21 extraordinary years of Out of Joint, but also invite people to be a part of our future. I am passionate about developing and touring new theatre that matters, and the Gala will be a glorious reminder of the reasons both must continue.” Vicky Graham, Producer, Out of Joint
Out of Joint has produced with leading London theatres including the National Theatre, Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre, Arcola Theatre and the Lyric Hammersmith, and important theatres around the country including National Theatre Wales, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Salisbury Playhouse and Leicester Curve, and further afield with Sydney Theatre Company.
Proceeds from the evening will support the company’s work developing new writing, and presenting it to audiences all over the country in high quality productions. Tickets cost £25 and include a drink after the performance.
For media information, images or interviews please contact Jon Bradfield on 0207 609 0207 / jon@outofjoint.co.uk or visit www.outofjoint.co.uk
N.B. Because of the nature of the event, the company is unable to offer complimentary press tickets but would be thrilled if their colleagues in the press were able to support them.
LISTINGS INFORMATION:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY OUT OF JOINT: A FUNDRAISING GALA
Address: Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, London E8 3DL
Date: Sunday 14 June 2015
Time: 5.30pm
Tickets: £25 including a free drink after the performance
Booking: 020 7503 1646 / www.arcolatheatre.com
Thursday 14th May 2015
