PATRONS Welcome Pack
NOT-FOR-PROFIT Company
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMPPatron Even on the tightest of budgets, making theatre is expensive. From venue rental to paying the wages of a full cast and creative team, young people are often prevented from forming new theatre companies as the costs mount up. STAMP is on the look out for generous individuals who believe in the work we are doing and may be able to make a donation. We hope that people who do so will accept our offer of becoming a STAMPPatron. By becoming a Patron your name will be woven into the fabric of our work from this day forward. Patrons will become part of the creative life of STAMPTheatre Company and the reason why it is all possible. We are delighted to announce the legendary actress Anita Dobson as our first STAMPCelebrity Patron. “This is a ground breaking young Company full of passion and new ideas. They are a voice for the future of todays theatre. I am proud to be their Patron.� Interested in joining Anita? For STAMPPatron benefits and the huge impact that your donation makes, see below.
We are tailoring a STAMPPatron package for everyone. Our Premium and most Exclusive Patrons have the opportunity to become a STAMP Penny Black PATRON
Whilst other Premium Patrons have the opportunity to become a
STAMP Penny Red PATRON
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMP Penny Black PATRON BENEFITS: •
Invites to every STAMP Production Press Night!
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FAMILY PACKAGE - 2 tickets plus 2 extra tickets for young people for whom you'd like to encourage the appreciation of theatre. With complimentary drinks and full-cast signed programmes. STAMP will also deliver a Free Young Persons Drama Workshop.
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FRIENDS – 4 tickets and complimentary champagne. With complimentary full-cast signed programmes.
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10 additional complimentary tickets across the run of every STAMPTheatre show.
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Recognition as a STAMPPatron on all STAMP's online platforms. Your name proudly in every one of STAMP's productions programmes in perpetuity and a feature on YOU on as a STAMPPatron on STAMP's website. With an optional extra of a feature or advert for your nominated company/charity in STAMP programmes and STAMP website.
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A framed Penny Black photograph of you/a loved one, personalised and signed by STAMPTeam and STAMP's Celebrity Patrons.
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Framed and signed photograph of STAMP's Celebrity Patrons (of your choice).
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Personalised STAMPPoem dedicated to you and your family/business
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Free entrance to all STAMPTheatre events: gala performances, Q&A sessions, backstage tours etc.
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Invitations to sneak-peek performances, open dress rehearsals, playreadings and R&D workshops.
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Opportunity to meet the STAMPTeam, members of our Casts and STAMPCelebrity Patrons.
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Receive all STAMP Merchandise including: Badges, Posters and Programmes.
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An Annual Letter of Thanks that details what your donations have enabled STAMP to achieve.
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The STAMP's Penny Black Annual Dinner at The Groucho Club (Soho).
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Complimentary invitations to STAMP's Annual Party!
Suggested donations:
STAMP Penny Black PATRON
£10,000
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMP Penny Red PATRON BENEFITS: •
Invites to every STAMP Production Press Night!
•
FAMILY PACKAGE - 2 tickets plus 2 extra tickets for young people for whom you'd like to encourage the appreciation of theatre. With complimentary full-cast signed programmes.
•
Recognition as a STAMPPatron on all STAMP's online platforms. Your name proudly in every one of STAMP's productions programmes in perpetuity and a feature on YOU on as a STAMPPatron on STAMP's website. With an optional extra of a feature or advert for your nominated company/charity in STAMP programmes and STAMP website.
•
A framed Penny Red photograph of you/a loved one, personalised and signed by STAMPTeam.
•
Personalised STAMPPoem dedicated to you and your family/business
•
Invitations to sneak-peek performances, open dress rehearsals, playreadings, gala performances, Q&A sessions, backstage tours and R&D Workshops.
•
Opportunity to meet the STAMPTeam, members of our Casts and STAMPCelebrity Patrons.
•
Receive all STAMP Merchandise including: Badges, Posters and Programmes.
•
An Annual Letter of Thanks that details what your donations have enabled STAMP to achieve.
•
Complimentary invitations to STAMP's Annual Party!
Suggested Donation:
STAMP Penny Red PATRON
£ 5,000
Where will your donation go? Primarily to STAMPTheatre's running costs. STAMPPatrons are THE KEY to facilitating young and inspirational theatre for and about young people! All Donations will be used wisely and with the greatest care. You will be informed annually about how important your donations are and what STAMPTheatre has been able to achieve because of YOU!
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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As a STAMP Penny Black PATRON and STAMP Penny Red PATRON we do not expect you to fund specific productions but to be the driving force in supporting the establishment of a young theatre company. In order to explain YOUR VITAL contribution we must detail our financial structure at STAMPTheatre. STAMPTheatre will only receive the revenue for our theatre productions after all the box office takings are in and the run of the show is concluded. So as a theatre company and viable business we have to meet all the up front costs. Our first production has a very modest budget which covers: • ACTORS Wages (including 2 Big Star Actors TBC) £21,354 • Wages for DIRECTOR, DESIGNERS, CASTING and STAGE MANAGERS £10,680 • PRODUCTION Costs £11,600 • THEATRE RENTAL and VENUE Costs £23,750 • PLAY PRODUCTION MARKETING Costs £ 4,300 • ADMINISTRATION and CONTIGENCY Costs £ 3,300 All of these costs have to be paid BEFORE the revenue of the production is received. This is where our STAMPPatron's donations will be spent. As STAMPTheatre is not-for-profit ALL of STAMPPatron's donations and any production profits will go back into enabling STAMP to produce all it's future plays. Timothy and Melissa, as the Founders of STAMP, have invested their own money, time and resources into setting up STAMPTheatre Company and have facilitated all the running costs up until this point. Of course, all companies have running costs so please note that a very small part of your donation and/or production profits will go towards these costs. Including: Office costs and supplies, Company formation, Legal advice, Accountancy fees, Theatre producer subscriptions, Insurance and Marketing & Promotion. Every STAMP Production has a fully costed budget. For Example, our first production, Roaring Trade by Steve Thompson, has a total cost of £75,000. A conservative estimate of 50% total ticket sales over the five week run provides profits of £55,000. This leaves us with a funding gap of about £20,000 so STAMP has a number of funding avenues which it is hotly pursuing. Firstly, our Gala performance of Roaring Trade which will provide us with 50% of our total funding gap: £10,000. STAMP has applied for Arts Trust Funds and STAMP's production of Roaring Trade has it's own Crowdfunding campaign (@ Crowdshed), where we intend to raise a minimum of £6,000. STAMPTheatre has kindly been offered match funding by Ann Pinnington Productions for all monies raised via Crowdfunding and Trust Funds. Thereby, STAMPTheatre has a fully funded first production. All future productions will be supported by similar means.
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMP Theatre: About Us Our newly established theatre company, STAMPTheatre, intends to produce high quality theatre with innovative creatives, combining experience with great emerging talent. STAMPTheatre is Not For Profit. We are pure theatre without commercial compromise. STAMPTheatre was borne out of the need to explore the social expectations placed upon young adults in today’s fast-paced cultural and political climate. As we live in an increasingly ‘instant society’, we feel that young people are often communicated to indirectly and left with very little room to fail. STAMPTheatre is offering: •
A focus on how young people professional and personal.
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A space for audiences to consider the consequences expectations are not met, collapse or breakdown.
grapple
with
expectation,
when
both
these
The younger generation can feel disengaged with politics and social issues yet are often impacted upon hugely by governmental decisions. There is a disenfranchisement of young people in the political arena. We believe that the art form of theatre should be a hive of activity, encouraging us to explore how contemporary politics can be working for and with us. STAMPTheatre's founding members are young people with big ideas who hear the confusion of their contemporaries and the feelings of uncertainty for their futures. STAMPTheatre is passionately committed to letting theatre be seen through their eyes so our audiences can do so too. STAMPTheatre has a five year plan to cover some of the burning issues that directly affect young people today, including: the financial industry and its wider economic impact; environmental awareness and the desire for change; the complexity of property and the meaning of home; troubled livelihoods and un/employment; the future care of physical, mental and spiritual health. STAMPTheatre actively sources plays which share these themes and ideas. We look to revive astonishing overlooked plays that continue to resonate, perhaps even more so now than when they were first performed. An echo of the past can allow us to fully appreciate the weight of the issues facing us today. At the same time, we are inspired by and great supporters of new writing, not least the work of our contemporaries, as we look ahead to working with them on producing the next generation of classic plays. Melissa Aston-Munslow & Timothy George – Co-Producers, STAMPTheatre Company
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMP’s Productions First Production: Roaring Trade by Steve Thompson “Trouble is an opportunity. Trouble gets you places.”
Steve Thompson’s Roaring Trade is a play that truly encapsulates STAMP Theatre's objectives both in terms of content and the emotional lives of the characters portrayed. Set on the bond traders' floor, the characters are largely made up of city traders, from the young initiate to the longstanding ‘top dog’ whose cut throat working practice provides much of the conflict at the heart of the play. We are fascinated by the way in which the play depicts this collision of power and inexperience with the trading floor at times serving as a microcosm of the instant society which young adults appear to be in part both responsible for and constrained by. Featuring a cast of six across high energy scenes and multiple locations, the play also offers a vivid commentary on the financial system. Thompson’s script is at once witty and challenging, begging questions about the decisions made by financiers over recent years: the consequences of which continue to be deeply felt.
Production Dates:
23rd September to 24th October 2015
Location:
PARK 200 at The Park Theatre Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP
Further Productions that have inspired STAMP: Dumb Show by Joe Penhall “Barry's fifteeen minutes of infamy are overdue, and when laughter's your living...that's no joke”
My Boy Jack by David Haigh “Rudyard Kipling's determination to send his myopic son to war triggers a bitter family conflict which leaves Britain's renowned patriot devastated by the warring of his own greatest passions: his love for children – above all, his own – and his devotion to King and Country.” Both subject to negotiations for rights with respective literary agents.
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre@co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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People Working With STAMP We are fortunate to have some real luminaries of the theatre working with us on our first production. Roaring Trade will be presented as a coproduction between STAMP Theatre and Ann Pinnington Productions. Ann’s years of producing experience both in the commercial and subsidised sector are an invaluable asset. Association with Ann Pinnington Productions has provided STAMP with that much needed kick-start, introducing us to Roaring Trade’s director, Alan Cohen. Alan has championed the work of STAMP from the get-go bringing with him a dynamic, fully contemporized vision for the play. From here, we are building a team of people with whom we wish to continue working in the future. The creative team on Roaring Trade as it stands is detailed below. Steve Thompson – Playwright Steve Thompson’s debut play DAMAGES (2004, Bush Theatre) was awarded the Meyer Whitworth Award for 2005. His second play WHIPPING IT UP (2007, Bush Theatre) received an Olivier Award nomination for Best New Comedy in 2007. The original run of ROARING TRADE (2009) broke the Soho Theatre’s box office records for highest ticket sales ever. His play NO NAUGHTY BITS premiered at Hampstead Theatre in 2012. Steve has written episodes for all three series of SHERLOCK and is currently creating his own show for ITV which shoots next summer. Alan Cohen - Director Alan Cohen’s directing career includes Associate Director, National Theatre. Productions for RSC; English Shakespeare Co; Artistic Director, Ludlow Shakespeare Festival; Artistic Director, Wearabout Theatre Co. International work includes Moscow Art Theatre; Epidaurus, Greece; Tokyo Globe; Tel Aviv; San Francisco; New York; Wellington, NZ; Milan; Madrid, and Vienna. Has recently directed; The Flying Karamazov Brothers productions at the San Jose Rep Theatre, Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas, The Vaudeville Theatre, London. UK tour of the musical, Hot Flush; UK tour of Of Mice and Men; and Annie, in NZ. Developed the play of The Kings Speech, with David Seidler, and staged its first performance in London. Ann Pinnington – Co-Producer, Ann Pinnington Productions Ann Pinnington’s recent productions include The King’s Speech (Chichester Festival Theatre/Birmingham Rep) and Storm in a Flower Vase and Bette and Joan by Anton Burge (Arts Theatre). Ann was associate director/producer at the New End Theatre in London prior to which she joined forces with Dan Crawford as co-artistic director at the King’s EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre.co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
Head Theatre. She was director of Bath Theatre Royal Presentations and HCS Productions and worked extensively with Portman Theatrical Productions who produced 64 number one tours, many of which transferred to the West End, including the acclaimed production of The Jungle Book and the award-winning When We Are Married. She produced the London production of Macbeth with original music by Brian May. Her overseas work includes off-Broadway and Aspen Festival productions. Kate Plantin – Casting Director KATE PLANTIN CDG has been casting for Theatre Film and Television for over twenty years Theatre Credits include: MCQUEEN (St James), SWEENEY TODD (Tooting Arts Club), HARVEY (Tour and London) KINDERTRANSPORT (Tour). STORM IN A FLOWER VASE (Arts Theatre), THE DEAD WAIT (Park theatre) THE HANDYMAN (Tour) THE FATHER (Belgrade, Coventry), OF MICE AND MEN (Tour), TOUCHING THE BLUE (Edinburgh), LONE STAR AND PRIVATE WARS (Kings Head), MARILYN AND ELLA (Edinburgh and London), ON THE ISLAND OF AARS (Edinburgh), JOAN RIVERS – A WORK IN PROGRESS (Edinburgh and London), TELSTAR which Kate also coproduced in the West End and for which Con O’Neill was nominated for an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Joe Meek. ROAD TO NIRVANA (Kings Head), THE TRESTLE AT POPE LICK CREEK (Southwark and Manchester Royal Exchange), ON YOUR TOES (Royal Festival Hall), FOLLIES (Royal Festival Hall). Grant Hicks – Designer Grant Hicks is an award-winning and practising film production designer with over 30 years experience in theatre, television, commercials and feature films. He is Course Leader of the BA in Theatre & Screen: Technical Arts & Special Effects at the University of the Arts London. Adrian Gwillym Adrian Gwillyn is costumier known for creating Keira Knightley's wedding dress in Love Actually and the military costumes used in Saving Private Ryan. He also dressed Daniel Craig in Casino Royale and Russel Crowe and Sacha Baron Cohen in Les Miserables.
ANN PINNINGTON: “Working with STAMPTheatre is refreshing. It is a joy to be part of this new venture born out of the ambition of two talented young people. I wish them the success they are determined to achieve, they are exactly what theatre of today needs.” KATE PLANTIN: “I am thrilled to be working with the exciting new theatre company STAMP on Steve Thompson’s great play ‘Roaring Trade’. I hope this will be the first of many projects I can help with casting on.”
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre.co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
STAMP Supporters & Testimonials STAMP Theatre is fortunate to have a growing team of supporters who are following the development of our work with keen interest.
Anita Dobson – Actress
Ann Pinnington Productions – Established Theatre Producer
Alan Cohen – Director (incl. at The National)
Kate Plantin – Casting Director
Kate Cheeseman – BAFTA winning Director
Michael Guest – Producer on BAFTA winning feature films
Barry Fantoni – Director, Author, Cartoonist and Jazz musician
Xara Vaughan – Cabaret Artiste
Sally Herbert – Musician
Chris Hutchinson – Unicorn Asset Management
Chris Cleverly – Barrister & Chairman of Made in Africa Foundation
Eva Aston-Chase – Barrister and Legal Advisor
Shaun Kitchener – Playwright and Entertainment Journalist
Beth Jones – This Is London magazine
Simon Annand – Specialist Theatre Photographer
The Univerisity of Manchester – Drama department
Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Rose Bruford College
CHRIS HUTCHINSON: “I am really proud of what they have already achieved. I have been particularly impressed by their energy and determination.” EVA ASTON-CHASE: “A Visionary Theatre change.”
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EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre.co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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STAMP's Impact on the Community STAMPTheatre is a not-for-profit company. We believe that theatre is inextricable from the community in which it is created and experienced. Although we are not-for-profit, we receive no state or grant funding. Instead, we operate on the same terms as the commercial sector and seek funding from generous individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations. In the longer term, we also aim to support our work through any profits from previous productions. We have chosen to be a not-for-profit because it chimes with our vision. STAMPTheatre tackles the pressure placed upon young adults in today’s technologically-driven ‘instant society’. The expectations and prejudices experienced by young adults in our fast-paced cultural and political climate can be immense. With continual pressure on young people to meet a string of pre-determined social standards, STAMP also seeks to explore the lives of those who are communicated to indirectly or simply not addressed at all. The art form of theatre remains a unique space for live, creative interaction amid an otherwise social media savvy and webbased generation. The work of STAMP is designed to stimulate debate, hopefulness and change within the community. Part of this process lies in returning overlooked plays to the next generation through stunning new theatre that speaks to us in the here and now. By engaging with our peers – and discovering new ones – we also hope to nurture new writing and give voice to the audiences who inspire us. Both founders of STAMP have extensive theatrical experience of community outreach work. In 2011, Timothy received a Distinction for a Masters in Theatre for Young Audiences at Rose Bruford College. After being offered a bursary to join the first student cohort on this pioneering MA, he was able to work on a range of youth and participation programmes at the Unicorn Theatre, the Orpheus Centre and Face Front Inclusive Theatre to name a few. This work has run alongside his career as actor and producer. Rarely does a week go by when he is not engaged in the delivery of drama and theatre projects in stage schools, colleges, performing arts clubs and community special schools. Melissa has also delivered varied workshops in over 50 schools. As Workshop Leader for 3 years, Melissa particularly focused on classic play texts or historical plays, often giving secondary school students greater confidence as Melissa encourages exploring the text through theatre to inspire their creativity. Melissa has worked with children around the UK but particularly in the North West of England. Our continued experience of this work will undoubtedly shape the future of STAMP. We are committed to providing apprenticeships for young people interested in theatre and its impact. They will be able to learn and experience a working theatre company and work alongside industry professionals, not least great theatre practitioners. We are proud to present our first production, Roaring Trade, at the Park Theatre in Finsbury Park where our commitment to young people in the local community is shared and embraced. EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre.co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
As Founders of STAMPTheatre, Melissa Aston-Munslow and Timothy George would like to thank you kindly for considering a donation to our theatre company.
Any and all Donations are very gratefully received. You can do this stamptheatre.co.uk
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STAMPPatron
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at
Alternatively, email us at stamptheatre@gmail.com to receive full bank details. We will always confirmation.
contact
you
once
we
have
received
your
donation
Many thanks and the BIGGEST and WARMEST Welcome to the STAMPFamily!
Much love, Melissa and Timothy STAMPFounders
EMAIL: stamptheatre@gmail.com WEBSITE: stamptheatre.co.uk TWITTER: @STAMP_theatre FACEBOOK: STAMPTheatre company
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