To begin....

So... Spike's first blog. To begin with here's a little background info:

Company History
Established in 1997, Spike Theatre is a touring, theatre company that creates accessible, engaging and visually exciting work. With an emphasis on exploring and developing a bold style of storytelling using physical creativity, it draws upon various disciplines such as, acrobatics, ensemble performance, animation, mime, clown and strong characterisation. Spike produces an original style of ‘Total’ theatre with the performer at the centre of its creative force.

Spike is run by artistic director, Mark Smith and administrator, Adrian Turrell-Watts.

In the creation of Spike’s work the company draw on a growing pool of performers, musicians, acrobats, designers, puppet makers and a host of other creative talent.

Spike has been part of Arts Council England’s portfolio of Regularly Funded Organisations in the North West since 2003.

So there you go... you can get all sorts of further information from the company website at http://www.spiketheatre.com including information on where and when you can see our work. Talking of which, we're currently flat out with two upcoming performance projects:

Top of the World

... is a brand new show devised by the company for touring from February-April this year. It features two performers new to the company - Jamie Wood and Eugene Salleh. They are playing Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay respectively in a re-telling of the story of the first ascent of Everest back in 1953.

The Director (Mark Smith), Stage Manager (Chris Tomlinson) and the cast will be blogging away during the rehearsals and tour so watch this space for insider information about the creation and development of the show.. and if you get along to a performance on the tour we'd love to read your comments here too.

Hoof! & Hoof Jnr!

Our amazing spontaneous theatre show Hoof! is off on it's travels again this spring too.

The show is playing its last ever Liverpool dates at The Everyman Theatre next month (Feb 19th & 20th) so if you're in the area get along to catch the show in its home city while you can!

The Everyman is also playing host to Hoof's baby offspring - Hoof Jnr! - at 2pm on Saturday 20th so bring yourselves and the kids along to help decide the characters and story in this never-to-be-repeated improvised stage show for children aged 5+ and their families.

In addition to our last ever Liverpool dates, the Hoof! teams will be playing their first ever shows in Keswick (Theatre by the Lake - Feb 16th 7:30pm) and Lancaster (April 17th - Hoof! @8pm and Hoof Jnr! @ 2pm).

Keep an eye out for updates and more info here but book your tickets for the shows at:

http://www.theatrebythelake.com/
http://www.everymanplayhouse.com/
http://www.dukes-lancaster.com/

We're really looking forward to seeing you at one or more of our shows and to keeping you up-to-date with all things Spikey in this blog...

WATCH THIS SPACE!