Rank & File Theatre Showcase

Rank & File Theatre presents an evening of three new work-in-progress performances, created with communities across Reading, Newbury and West Berkshire.

Rooted in Rank & File's Theatre of Courage practice, the showcase brings together theatre, live music, movement, multilingual storytelling and bold new writing. The evening will be hosted by BBC Radio 3 presenter Fiona Talkington and followed by a Q&A with the artists and company.

The showcase features:

Pyramus and Thisbe

Created with Eight Bells for Mental Health, this playful Shakespeare-inspired piece follows a community ensemble of local 'rude mechanicals' as they discover the Old Library and attempt their own joyful version of Pyramus and Thisbe.

The Washroom

A new postdramatic performance by Iranian theatre director Iman Eskandari, using physical theatre, sound, projection and installation to explore memory, erasure and what we are asked to forget.

Common Ground

Created with Refugee Support Group, this new piece uses live music, testimony and movement to explore belonging, division and the stories we tell about one another in a time of rising misinformation.

Rank & File Theatre is a Berkshire-based Theatre of Sanctuary creating bold, accessible theatre with refugees, asylum seekers, survivors, disabled people and people with experience of mental health challenges.

Created in partnership with Refugee Support Group and Eight Bells for Mental Health.

With thanks to our funders and supporters, including The Good Exchange, National Lottery Awards for All, Arts Council England and Corn Exchange Newbury.