Dame Rosemary Squire becomes patron of New Perspectives
20 December 2019
CEO of Ambassador's Theatre Group becomes patron of the East Midlands' flagship touring theatre company, New Perspectives
Nottingham-born joint CEO, Dame Rosemary Squire, has become the first patron to join the award-winning touring theatre company. Three times topping the Stage 100 list, Squire, along with her husband Harold Panter, is largely considered one of the most influential people in British theatre. Known for touring cutting edge international work to venues ranging from theatres to rural village halls, New Perspectives have firmly established themselves as a leading force in the small-scale touring. Her endorsement of New Perspectives comes swiftly after their highly successful staging of the hit Nigerian play The Fishermen in the West End.
Speaking about her new involvement with the company, Squire said:
"Having grown up in the East Midlands and discovered my life-long passion for theatre in Nottingham, this region remains close to my heart. Becoming a Patron of New Perspectives enables me to maintain that link and to support a company that uniquely brings diverse, high quality work across this area."
New Perspectives' Artistic Director Jack McNamara said:
"From touring a cult Finnish film adaptation to rural village halls to opening a new Nigerian play in the West End, our work aims to bring disparate cultures together and redress age-old imbalances. To have someone of the stature and experience of Rosemary Squire recognise the value of what we do and want to promote our work is a major marker for us as a company. We are humbled by her support and greatly looking forward to drawing from her expertise to make more noise about the dynamic new work being made in the East Midlands."
This support comes as New Perspectives prepare to announce a new season for 2020, with new commissions focussing on global women's voices and mental health. The year will include four world premieres:
-The Spirit A live art trilogy performed at Battersea Arts Centre by radical disabled artist Thibault Delferiere about the triumph of the spirit against adversity
-Miserable Aunt Bertha a special reading at the Words Weekend exploring mental health in children's literature
-Convenience Store Woman the Japanese best-selling sensation brought to the stage for the Edinburgh Festival 2020
-An Angel At My Table a staged autobiography of the extraordinary life of New Zealand's most famous writer, Janet Frame, to tour rural and regional venues across the UK
New Perspectives has over 40 years' experience of touring highly original productions to venues of all sizes across the UK, from mid-scale theatres to village halls. Since 2012, the company has been led by Artistic Director Jack McNamara whose productions include The Fishermen (Trafalgar Studios/ British Council Showcase), trade (National tour), The Wolf, The Duck, and The Mouse (Unicorn Theatre), The Boss of It All by Lars von Trier (Assembly Roxy, Edinburgh and Soho Theatre), The Lovesong of Alfred J Hitchcock by David Rudkin (Brits off Broadway, New York and UK tour), and Darkness, Darkness (Nottingham Playhouse co-production) and Executive Director, Sally Anne Tye.
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England
Our productions are testament to the fact that rural theatre is as relevant, challenging and vital as theatre made for any other environment. Our participatory projects, career defining training and mentoring opportunities for emerging regional talent and rural touring scheme Northants Touring Arts makes tangible difference to people where they live.
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