SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH, Thursday 1st October 2009

Watching Big Brother  - at ekspans factory

ARTS COUNCIL SUPPORT CONFIRMED Wednesday 30th Septmeber 2009

We are delighted to be supported by the Arts Council - "this is great news for the project" said Opendoors Barbara Bentley,

SHEFFIELD TELEGRAPH, Thursday 9 July, 2009

Factory setting for Orwell‘s 1984

SHEFFIELD‘S Open Door Theatre Company are planning to stage an epic production of George Orwell‘s 1984 in a vast empty factory in Brightside later this year.

The bold collaboration between the arts and industry came about as a result of a chance conversation between a member of Open Door‘s management board and Matthew Dronfield, CEO of Ekspan, structural bearing suppliers based at Brightside.

Open Door was bemoaning the lack of performance spaces in Sheffield, a key issue for this production where only a spacious venue would do justice to 1984 as a stage play. Fortunately, Ekspan had recently purchased the 15,000 sq ft factory building as part of expansion plans - which with some effort would be the ideal space in which to stage this play.

After further discussions the idea took root of staging 1984 in the new factory in November, allowing the worlds of industry and theatre to come together in a highly creative way.

Artistic director Barbara Bentley admits: "This is a great opportunity but, at the same time there are a myriad of logistical obstacles that have to be overcome to make this happen.” “However we are very lucky indeed to be working with Matthew and his staff at Ekspan who bring a whole new dimen¬sion and energy into this theatrical event.”

Full details - CLICK

http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/arts/Arts-update-Factory-setting-for.5444061.jp