On my first day at New Perspectives, I opened an envelope containing a cheque for £500 from a couple simply saying thank you for a wonderful performance last night, please come back to Sheringham (Norfolk) in the future. That made me feel good as hundreds of audience members have shared with us the difference we make touring theatre into the heart of communities – making theatre affordable, bringing people of different generations together, helping combat isolation, seeing the place they call home differently.

And that works two ways. We bring fresh new work into rural and community spaces and as creatives and performers we learn to adapt to different settings and the challenges this presents so that we can perform up close and personal. Hard graft on the road rewarded by being truly welcomed and seeing the difference theatre makes at first hand.

We’re lucky over the past 50 years to have brought new plays into so many wide-ranging rural places and spaces as well as giving hundreds of performances in theatres across the UK, at international festivals here and overseas, including runs in New York and the West End. By remaining true to the company ethos we will continue to:

• invest in new writing, helping to fund the commission of plays
• tour affordable theatre productions to rural areas and into overlooked communities
• imagine and pilot fresh ways to engage with existing and new audiences

However, much of what we do takes place behind the scenes. The limited-edition postcard series we launched to celebrate 50 years of New Perspectives is just a glimpse of the many plays we have commissioned, launching careers such as dramatist Amanada Whittington.

As a touring company we have a base but not a public space so as an audience you primarily know us through our work in your village or church hall, local theatre or arts centre. Back at NP HQ, when we’re not rehearsing a production, we’re plotting, developing new plays, making plans with creatives and industry partners. What you don’t often see is our creative hub, the safe space we have developed to support emerging arts from across the East Midlands.  Over the past 5 years we have supported over 50 artists as New Associates, attached to NP offering career development support, funding advice and mentoring in a two-way exchange and learning programme. We welcome up to 15 regional creatives each year and understanding the ongoing support artists need, we are currently seeing what a New Associates alumni offer might look like and what resources we need to put in place to make this happen.

Recognising that everyone has a story to tell through Open Pitch we support two first time artists to tell their story in a creative way – attaching professional support to develop ideas. This has ranged from publishing a book, a short film, formal performances, a podcast and first readings of plays. The difference we make here is tangible.

• by nurturing the next generation of creative talent across the East Midlands
• through celebrating creativity, unleashing the imagination of first-time artists
• as a catalyst for positive change helping East Midlands artists to thrive

After 50 years, it’s about time to ask for your support!

Of course none of the above would be possible without the generous support using public funding from Arts Council England and over the years support from Trusts and Foundations, companies and kind individuals.

Thanks to the stewardship of five remarkable artistic leaders, hand in hand with good governance from our Trustees, the company has thrived in spite of threats to funding, political and fiscal challenges and in recent times, the impact of BREXIT, the worldwide pandemic, wars and the cost-of-living crisis. But as a charity competition for funding is cut-throat.

Giving, however, makes you feel good. It releases hormones that make you feel warm and fuzzy. You feel even better receiving, because you are giving at the same time. I still remember the feeling I got when I opened the envelope from the couple in Sheringham and will be ever thankful to them, for their generous donation and the affirmation of the impact our work made.

As a non-profit organisation we recognise that are surrounded by good causes in much need for support and how important it is to give to a cause close to your heart. Here are three quick ways you can support New Perspectives right now:

1. Make your Christmas Shopping count! Sign up to easyfundraising and over 8,000 retailers will donate to New Perspectives Theatre Company at no extra cost to you - so you can raise donations when you buy gifts, decorations, food shopping or anything else!  It’s quick and easy.
2. Make a one-off or regular donation from as little as £1. Every penny counts.
3. Treat yourself or make a gift of our limited edition 50th anniversary postcard collection here.

Thank you.

Sally Anne Tye, Executive Director