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Ardent Theatre Company

@ardenttheatre.bsky.social
387 followers 119 following 42 posts

Ardent Theatre Company is a registered charity with a mission to end class inequality in theatre Support | Follow | Share #theatre #classequality #workingclass linktr.ee/ardenttheatre

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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
You did it! Thanks to your support, we hit our £40,000 target for Our Country Now, a festival of four new plays. Thanks also to The Backstage Trust for making the initial £20K pledge. We'll be announcing our 2027 plans for the production later this year. Stay tuned for updates!
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
Day 5 of the Big Give. £17,550 raised — 44% of our £40,000 target. Meet Florence Espeut-Nickless, one of the writers shaping Our Country Now. We’re investing in regional talent — and bringing those stories to the national stage. ⏳ Every donation doubled. Ends Fri 29th May. 👉 tinyurl.com/Ardent2026
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Day 4 of the Big Give. £15,910 raised — 40% of our £40,000 target. Today we’re featuring Shahid Iqbal Khan, one of four brilliant writers at the heart of Our Country Now. ⏳ Every donation is doubled. Ends Fri 29th May. 👉 tinyurl.com/Ardent2026
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Day 3 of the Big Give. £13,870 raised — 35% of our £40,000 target. Today we’re spotlighting writer Kelly Jones, one of the voices behind Our Country Now. ⏳ Every donation is doubled for 10 days 👉 tinyurl.com/Ardent2026
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Thank you for an incredible first day of our Big Give campaign for Our Country Now. £12,800 raised - 32% of our total - in 24 hours! Meet Diana Nneka Atuona, one of the four writers on Our Country Now. ⏳ 9 days left. Donations matched by The Backstage Trust. 👉 tinyurl.com/Ardent2026
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
We’re raising £40,000 to support Our Country Now - a festival of four new plays by working-class writers from across England — Kelly Jones, Shahid Iqbal Khan, Diana Nneka Atuona, Florence Espeut-Nickless. ⏳ 10 days. Donations matched by The Backstage Trust. Ends 29 May. 👉 tinyurl.com/Ardent2026
tinyurl.com
Our Country Now - a festival of four new plays – Big Give
In Spring/Summer 2027, we will present Our Country Now, a festival of four new plays commissioned by Ardent Theatre by working‑class writers from different regions: Shahid Iqbal Khan (Northwest), Florence Espeut‑Nickless (Southwest), Kelly Jones (East) and Diana Nneka Atuona (Greater London).…
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
Another amazing #ardent8 workshop yesterday at Theatre Deli led by award-winning director, dramaturg and writer Daniel Bailey. #TheatreWorkshop #ActingWorkshop #acting #actor
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The ARDENT8 were back up in London yesterday for a workshop led by writer and director Sue Dunderdale to explore scenes from Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, looking at how units of action can help navigate a text. Another brilliant day! #Shakespeare #MeasureForMeasure #ActingWorkshop #actor
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
Is working-class counter-culture breaking barriers—or building new ones? Read our latest blog on whether the fight against class inequality in theatre is creating a new class ceiling. Share your thoughts! Read: www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/blog/class-… #ClassCeiling #TheatreForAll
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Counter‑Culture or Counter‑Productive? The Class Ceiling Debate — Ardent Theatre Company
Rather than challenging the exclusion baked into the mainstream theatre ecosystem, the burden is pushed back onto the artists themselves: raise the funds, find the venue, do the marketing, subsidise the work with your own time or money — or do it unpaid.
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 01/02/2026
Interesting article in @theguardian.com that chimes with the work we do here at Ardent. Check out our blog response tomorrow. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on the class crisis in the arts: the UK’s culture must not become the preserve of the elite | Editorial
Editorial: Countless reports and celebrities have called for greater working-class representation, so why has nothing changed?
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
A huge thank you to Johnny Harris and our two Drifting actors Amirah Alabere and Olivia Israel for the post-show Q&A last night. What a brilliant, insightful conversation. Drifting runs until Sat 22 November Southwark Playhouse Tickets: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting #workingclass #theatre #actors
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Just 4 performances left to catch our ⭐⭐⭐⭐ production of Drifting @swkplay.bsky.social Drifting runs until Sat 22 November Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) 🔗 TICKETS tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Captioned performances Fri & Sat. Photos: Mark Douet
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 17/11/2025
Join the conversation! We were interviewed by Gary Naylor for Broadway World, talking about the ARDENT8 project and addressing the class inequality in theatre. Check it out! #BroadwayWorld #TheatreTalk #ClassInequality #Ardent8Project #TheatreInterview
broadwayworld.com
Interview: 'We Don’t Treat Class With The Attention It Deserves': Ardent Theatre's Mark Sands and Andrew Muir on Bringing Underrepresented Groups to The London Stage
It’s easy to forget that, while we all know that theatres have four walls, they also have two doors. The one we all know has bright lights, glossy playbills, a welcoming foyer and, sometimes, a queue for a bag search, that mark of 21st century life. But where is the other? Hard to find, hard to get past a code pad for entry / scowling guard and hard to know what to do even if you’ve cleared those hurdles. You guessed it, it’s all a bit on the nose as a metaphor for breaking into theatre as a career.
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 11/11/2025
Check out our interview with some of the Drifting cast! DRIFTING | 18-22 NOVEMBER Southwark Playhouse Borough Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) TICKETS: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Meet the cast of Drifting — Ardent Theatre Company
We caught up with some of our ARDENT8 actors just before they started rehearsals to see how they’re feeling about their upcoming production Drifting at Southwark Playhouse and their journey on the ARDENT8 programme so far.
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 10/11/2025
Drifting teaser video two has dropped! DRIFTING | 18-22 NOV | @swkplay.bsky.social Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) TICKETS: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Video: Michael-David McKernan #DriftingthePlay #TheatreInLondon #LondonTheatre #RehearsalSneakPeek #BehindtheScenes youtu.be/afW_MuJ6HEs
youtu.be
Drifting Rehearsals Video 2
YouTube video by Ardent Theatre Company
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Check out our first behind-the-scenes teaser trailer for Drifting! DRIFTING | 18-22 NOV | @swkplay.bsky.social Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) TICKETS: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Video: Michael-David McKernan #DriftingthePlay #TheatreInLondon #LondonTheatre #RehearsalSneakPeek #BehindtheScenes
youtu.be
Drifting Rehearsals Video 1
YouTube video by Ardent Theatre Company
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
We drifted into Day 1 of rehearsals at BOLD Elephant rehearsal studios for our upcoming production Drifting. Floor markup done, tick! First read-through done, tick! 🔗 Book tickets: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting #DriftingthePlay #LondonTheatre #RehearsalSneakPeek #ExclusiveLook #BehindtheScenes
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 31/10/2025
Tickets have sold out for the opening night of Drifting and selling fast for the Thursday 20th show followed by the Johnny Harris Q&A. Just over 2 weeks to go. Book now to avoid missing out! 📅 18–22 Nov 🎭 Southwark Playhouse Borough 🎟️ Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) 🔗 Book: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 30/10/2025
Just 3 weeks until our Drifting post-show Q&A with BAFTA nominated actor Johnny Harris. Tickets are selling fast! Don't miss out! 📅 Thu 20th Nov at Southwark Playhouse 🕢 7:30pm performance followed by Q&A 🔗 tinyurl.com/A8-drifting #driftingtheplay #workingclass #actors #acting #theatre
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
Olivia McGrath as the Stranger. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 19/10/2025
Yarrow Spillane as the Girlfriend. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 18/10/2025
Lewis Allen as the Manager. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
Phoebe Woodbridge as the Mother. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Amirah Abimbola Alabere as the Work Colleague. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Toby Batt as the Father. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
Olivia Israel as the Arcade Assistant. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Trae Walsh as the Young Man. DRIFTING is a poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 18–22 Nov | Southwark Playhouse Pay what you can (£2.50-£15.00) More Info: tinyurl.com/A8-drifting Headshot: Jimmy Lee Portraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
We are very excited and honoured to announce that Johnny Harris will be joining some of the ARDENT8 actors as our special guest for the post-show Q&A following their performance of Drifting on Thursday 20th November @swkplay.bsky.social Early booking advised! ➡️ tinyurl.com/A8-drifting
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Tickets are on sale for Drifting performed by the ARDENT8 ensemble. A poignant, poetic and darkly humorous exploration of a generation caught between inertia and ambition. 📅 18–22 Nov | 🕢 7:30pm | 🕒 Matinee Sat 3pm @swkplay.bsky.social 🎟️ #PayWhatYouCan £2.50-£15 www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/drifting
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Drifting — Ardent Theatre Company
By Andrew Muir
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
Delighted to share this brilliant opportunity from our friends at @rtyds.bsky.social to support three working class mid-career directors to develop their practice in a mid-scale theatre for 18-months. Applications close on Thursday 18 September at 10am. www.rtyds.co.uk/associate-ar...
rtyds.co.uk
Associate Artistic Director Residency (artists) - Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme - RTYDS
Fair Play Associate Artistic Director 2026-2027 RTYDS is partnering with three building-based theatre companies (outside of London) to each host a mid-career director or theatre maker from a working c...
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Reposted by Ardent Theatre Company
Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
We are proud to launch our 10-year Manifesto for Change, calling for an end to class inequality in the theatre industry. www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/manifesto #ManifestoForChange #WorkingClassCreatives #TheatreEquity #theatre #workingclass #classequality #classequity
ardenttheatre.co.uk
10-year Manifesto for Change — Ardent Theatre Company
Ardent's 10-year strategy to end class inequality in theatre
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
We are proud to launch our 10-year Manifesto for Change, calling for an end to class inequality in the theatre industry. www.ardenttheatre.co.uk/manifesto #ManifestoForChange #WorkingClassCreatives #TheatreEquity #theatre #workingclass #classequality #classequity
ardenttheatre.co.uk
10-year Manifesto for Change — Ardent Theatre Company
Ardent's 10-year strategy to end class inequality in theatre
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 06/05/2025
Ardent’s Co-Creative Director Mark Sands was interviewed for an article for the Spring edition of Equity Magazine @equityuk.bsky.social to celebrate 50 years of @itc-arts.bsky.social The full article (starting page 26) is available online as a digital version of the Equity Magazine
equity.org.uk
Equity Magazine | Equity
Equity's award-winning magazine is published twice a year. You can view our online version or listen to the audio version of the Equity magazine.
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 22/04/2025
Happy Tuesday! Check out this gorgeous Vanity Fair style photo of the ARDENT8 by the brilliant Jimmy Lee Portraits #actors #vanityfair #photoshoot #jimmyleeportraits
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 05/03/2025
Our BIG GIVE appeal to raise money for our ARDENT8 ensemble is now live! Judi Dench, Emma Thompson, our chair David Harris and the Big Give have pledged £10K to support us if we can match their contribution £ for £. 10 days to raise £10K! Wed 5 - Fri 14 March. More info: tinyurl.com/biggive2025
tinyurl.com
ARDENT8 Project 2025 – Big Give
ARDENT8 is an 18-month programme of workshops, mentoring and performance opportunities to support 8 young actors from low income backgrounds …
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 05/02/2025
So lovely to welcome the #ardent8 back to London with the amazing Hazel Holder kicking off the next batch of workshops with a session on voice @sohotheatre.bsky.social #actor #acting #voicework #voiceworkshop #actortraining
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 03/02/2025
We’re delighted to end our 10 year anniversary celebration blogs with artist, poet, activist Zita Holbourne. #poet #artist #activist #writer #tradeunions #blog #activism #opinion #theatre #artseducation
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Zita Holbourne — Ardent Theatre Company
Arts bring joy, relaxation, healing, therapy, education, awareness and so much more, enriching and essential to life, yet those of us who work in the creative sectors face low pay, precarious work, di...
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 01/01/2025
We kick off 2025 with our first guest blog from actress, writer and director Sheila Moylette who played Alma in our 2023 production of Tracy Ryan's play STRIKE! Wishing you all a Happy New Year! #acting #actor #director #writer #blog #theatreblog #storyteller
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Sheila Moylette — Ardent Theatre Company
Storytelling has connected people since… well, since there were people! The richest of cultures have been preserved and built upon by history and mythology; true, embellished, or fabricated stories. F...
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
This month’s blog is from casting director Ben Cogan who shares his journey into the industry and tips for actors when auditioning. ❤️ Support | Follow | Share 🙏 Donate £3 to support our work 🔗 Link in Bio ✊ Bring the curtain down on class inequality #acting #actor #castingdirector #auditions #blog
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Ben Cogan — Ardent Theatre Company
Casting – for me – comes down to believability and character. Believability puts you into contention and character gets you cast. I want to believe that you are from that world, of that profession, in...
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
This report has been a sobering read and combined with the Creative Access report released earlier this year, it shows how little has changed for working-class artists in decades. Time to take action and reverse this trend and end class inequality in theatre! #classequity #classequality #theatre
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Welcome to our growing family of followers! We're feeling the ❤️ here on @bsky.app Every month we give platform to industry professionals to share their innermost thoughts. Put the kettle on, sit back, take a break and dive in.... #actor #director #stagemanager #teacher #artisticdirector #author
ardenttheatre.co.uk
Blog — Ardent Theatre Company
Monthly musings from industry folk
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 15/11/2024
A little bit about us as we build our following anew. We produce #theatre, provide training and remove barriers to ensure at least 50% of #actors employed in theatre are from #working-class backgrounds and that anyone who wants to access theatre as an audience member has that opportunity
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Ardent Theatre Company @ardenttheatre.bsky.social · 14/11/2024
@discoveringjoan.bsky.social Thank you for being our very first follower! ✊
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