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arts
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Arts & Culture
Wednesday May 16 | 2018
The theatre of dreams with the outside edge… Live theatre productions have become a summer staple, and there’s one company ensuring our area gets the best selection of creative performances at a great venue and price. Eileen Leahy talks to Applause Rural Touring’s Sally Lampitt about what the company has in store for audiences this season
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TOO MANY COOKS A show starring fruit and veg character Froojamaflip
F YOU’RE out and about over the next few months – whether at a festival, fête or grand stately home – you’re more than likely to see a theatre troupe appearing on the bill. Stage shows in the great outdoors have become hugely popular over the past few years, with not even the (highly likely) chance of rain putting people off booking tickets. These days you can see everything from alternative versions of classic fairy tales to restoration comedies and contemporary puppet shows performed al fresco in a range of diverse venues from castles to gardens and parks. One company helping to bring brilliant theatre in many varying guises to the masses is Applause Rural Touring. This Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation, based in Tunbridge Wells, works with numerous artists and communities to bring high quality performances to pretty much everywhere, from village halls, pubs
and schools to many of the bigger festivals across Kent and Sussex. Locally, you can catch them this summer in Speldhurst, Rusthall and Hever. “All the performances are interactive, family-friendly, suitable for all ages, and great fun,” explains Sally Lampitt, Applause’s touring co-ordinator and show commissioner. Applause’s real USP, however, is that the shows are offered at highly subsidised costs so event organisers can boast exciting and unexpected arts experiences for everyone to enjoy. In short, making theatre less of an elitist, expensive experience and more accessible to all.
This season Applause is working on six shows, and next year they will celebrate their 20th anniversary, with Sally adding that despite being around for almost two decades, their goal has always remained the same: To work at the heart of local communities in Kent and Sussex providing affordable, challenging and inspiring performances in familiar places. “It’s about providing rural communities with professional productions they would not normally get to see unless in a big city or at large outdoor event. It’s providing access to high quality artistic experiences for all to share,” explains Sally. “We work with outstanding professional companies and commission shows that will often go on to tour nationally and internationally. “Applause is also about supporting local promoters through subsidising the events and providing the artists with a new platform to showcase their work and to reach a wider audience. “In 2017 more than 31,000 people saw an Applause show over the summer.” Despite its huge audience reach, and
THE JUKEBOXES Speak for themselves!