Traditionally at this time of year, we Splendids announce plans for the new production we’ll be touring in the next academic year. This year our announcement is a bit different: we have decided that there won’t be a new tour for Autumn 2022 and Spring 2023 – our first break since Arturo Ui in 2004.
In part, this is because of some other projects that have changed our usual schedule, including Midsummer Mechanicals, our co-production with Shakespeare’s Globe that’s running over the summer holidays. It’s also a reaction to the upheaval of last two years; we don’t know yet how much will be back to ‘normal’ in drama departments around the country, and investing in a new production and cast feels more of a risk right now. It’s also a good opportunity to have a break, try some new things, and have a long think about a suitable way to celebrate our 20th birthday in September 2023.
We will continue to offer our usual programme of workshops throughout the year – fill in a form or send us an email to book something in – and our unique range of teaching resources is always available, including our highly entertaining self-introduction ‘Being Splendid’, and over 11 hours of top quality theatre on film. There’s even a spectacularly foul-mouthed sweary colour-in-sheet over at Kerry Frampton’s Etsy shop you can use to vent any excess frustration.
One of the things we’d like to do more of this year is work directly with YOU, marvellous teachers of drama. Kerry very much enjoyed the online CPDs we ran during lockdown, along with the various sessions she ran with Eduqas/WJEC last year. And so we’d like to offer some periodic CPD sessions over the next academic year. We were debating which subject areas might be most popular, then we thought we should ask YOU what YOU think!
So please welcome our 22/23 Splendid Survey, where you get to tell us what is the kind of thing you like. We have suggested some subject areas and practitioners we feel are particularly Splendidy, and we’d love you to tell us what you’d be most interested in. Depending on your answers, we will then look at scheduling online and/or in-person CPDs with Kerry to cover the most popular choices. The survey doesn’t take long and any responses will be incredibly helpful.
You’ll notice at the bottom we’re checking interest for a mini-revival of our UBU production in Spring 2023. At the moment this is very much a provisional idea, but if there is interest then unleashing the cheerful tyrant again would be a lot of fun.
We’re also offering in-school performances of a new devised piece of autobiographical theatre from Kerry Frampton and her daughter Matilda Wilde called ‘I Love You But F*** Off‘ (suitable for ages 16+ only – for obvious reasons!). Tick the box for more information.
Thank you so much for your support, and we look forward to hearing from you!
