About Us...

The Barbican Theatre excels at enabling people to find a pathway to engage with and enjoy the arts in a friendly and supportive environment. It is experienced in providing a high quality arts provision which is constantly evolving in response to the needs and involvement of it's audiences.

Our mission statement is:

To offer as many people as possible, but especially the young, access to, participation in, and enjoyment of high quality artistic activity, without prejudice. This is practiced in the belief that such involvement cultivates, inspires and enthuses individuals and communities to explore and express needs and ideas, voice opinions, celebrate together and agitate to provoke social and cultural change.

What we do:

The Barbican Theatre produces new theatre and contemporary dance with young people as leaders.
We believe in taking our 'art' out to where people work, live and are educated.
We encourage our audiences and participants to visit us and take part in our promoted programme, events and celebrations in the venue.
The way in which we make our work responds to what our communities  want from us,  there is a strong emphasis on inclusion and collaboration with non-arts partners.
We like to work in new and unusual environments encouraging people who would not normally attend theatre events to meet and enjoy it.  The development of creative skills is at the heart of all our activity. We believe this increases the number of new people  who can deliver high-quality  creative and cultural activity in the region that is appropriate to the needs of our diverse communities.

How we do it:

• Theatre & Dance: New works in collaboration with young people, emerging professionals and regional artists as equal partners

• Venue: Promotion of national small-scale touring new theatre & contemporary dance

• Collective Voices: A cross-arts integration programme for young people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

• Arts Awards:  Delivery of  adviser training

• In the Flesh Festival: Platforms for new, emerging talent and brand new ideas.

• Roots Programme: Access to theatre, dance and new writing.

History

The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth (originally Rent-a-Role Drama Service) was established in 1980 as a registered charity to investigate and practice the use of theatre for learning, therapy and recreation throughout the South West. In 1986 the company won a campaign to save the privately owned 'Serenade Arts' building. Re-named as the Barbican Theatre, the company ran the building developing an impressive arts education programme.

In 1998 and 2001, the company successfully completed two phases of radical refurbishment funded by the National Lottery through the Arts Council of England. The building now has a 140 fixed seat auditorium, a cafe/bar with a second stage, an exhibition space and a rehearsal room.

We are currently setting up and archive of previous work produced by groups based at the Barbican Theatre, please visit our Past Work pages for more information and to see images from the performances.

Staff Contact....

Click on the names to send e-mail or voicemail can be left on each direct line..

Box Office & Admin - Elly Schwarz- (01752) 267131

Sheila Snellgrove - Director (01752) 242014

Mark Laville - Artistic Director (01752) 242017

Helen Barlow - Business Manager (01752) 242013

Catharine Chapman - Marketng Manager & Hires
(01752) 0242011

Jules Laville - Dance Animateur (01752) 242020

Karen Lodge - Theatre Administration - ON MATERNITY LEAVE.

Doug Specht - Production Manager

Gina Sherman, Kate Campbell, Kyle Riggs and Zoe Rhodes Project Leaders, Volunteering Theatrically (01752) 242020

Zuzana Wallnerova - Festival Manager, In The Flesh (01752) 242020

PiP Plymouth Young Promoters - Alix Harris

Strange Youngens - Alix Harris and Alex Stupple-Harris

Click the links below for more information on:

Past Work