Our seed commission programme is a development opportunity for artists living and/or working in North Devon and the surrounding areas who are making new work, delivered by Landmark Theatres Ltd
This initiative is a creative attachment to Landmark Theatres for emerging or developing theatre makers who are creating original, vibrant, engaging and accessible work that is reflective of North Devon and it’s communities.
Who we are looking for:
- Emerging or developing artists and companies who are either based in, or with a demonstrable commitment to making and presenting work in Northern Devon.
- Emerging or developing artists and companies who want to make new work.
- Artists/companies who have previously made work professionally. The programme can be applied for by early or mid-career artists/companies.
- Work that represents the people of North Devon and the spirit of the community. We want to hear from artist who have something to say and want to make bold and exciting work for diverse audiences.
What we offer:
- A seed commission of up to £1500 to go towards your development/ production budget – payable in 3 instalments at contract
- Free rehearsal space at the at the Landmark Theatre (subject to availability)
- Artistic mentoring and producing support delivered by the Landmark Theatres team
- Dramaturgical and developmental support for your idea
- Creative and professional development masterclasses/workshops . We aim to give 4 weeks notice of workshops dates and attendance is contractual.
- Programming of your show for 1 instance at the Landmark Theatre as part of the Welcome Weekender.
- Support in fundraising and writing project grant applications if required
- Support with inviting industry professionals to see your work
Applications now closed
Applications are now closed for this year’s Seed commissions. You can meet this year’s cohort below.
Please check back for updates on how to apply for next years round of applications.
This Year's Seed Commissions
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ELLIOT GRANT
i.e.theatre
ELLIOT GRANT
i.e.theatre
Elliott Grant is a theatre maker and stage manager based in Bristol and North Devon. Passionate about new work and creative development within the southwest, he has been involved with the wonderful Fringe Theatrefest since 2017. He studied Drama with Creative Writing at the University of the West of England, with further training from the Emma Rice Company Summer Camp, Exeter Northcott’s Tech Futures and Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol residency. Elliott has worked with RED Entertainment, Show of Strength, Burn The Curtain, Landmark Theatres, Multi Story Theatre, Beaford, The Bristol Improv Theatre, Kook Ensemble, MakeShift Theatre, Carbon Theatre, Above Bounds, Rhum+Clay and Tiny and Tall; As well as creating his own (very silly) shows with i.e. theatre. (www.ietheatre.co.uk)
i.e. theatre was formed in 2017, inspired by the by the open access, art-for-all ethos of Barnstaple Fringe TheatreFest. During that time we have created 10 original shows, all created from scratch – and have performed these around the UK in Barnstaple, Colchester, Stroud and Dundee. Our work uses music, poetry and comedy, often stitched together with a historical thread.
The Show
In March 2024, 50 dead hares were dumped outside of a community shop in Broughton. This show is about that.
A departure from i.e. theatre’s usual script based approach – this hopes to be a leap (or hop) into the unknown, getting under the skin of this bizarre rural crime via music and movement. We hope (or hop) to get our teeth into some research into Celtic hare mythology, burrow down into the declining state of the countryside, and keep an ear out for some broader allegories of the world at large.
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GRACIE AVERY
GRACIE AVERY
Gracie Avery is a young theatre-maker and performer from North Devon. Drawing on a mixture of movement practices and spoken word, she aims to breathe life into untold stories that deepen our understanding of the world today. Currently still in training at Rose Bruford College, she continues to develop her skills in performance, writing and directing – with a keen interest in ensemble theatre that intimately connects performers with the audience.
A bit about the show…
Step into the thriving merchant town of 17th century Bideford where three women get caught in the perfect storm of war, plague and religious divide with devastating results. As the death toll rises and the community is torn apart, there is only one thing to blame – dark magic. We uncover the chain of events that lead to the deaths of Temperance Lloyd, Susannah Edwards and Mary Trembles and ask ourselves if they really were ‘The Last Witches of England’.
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Jess May-Cox
Jess May-Cox
Jess is a theatre maker, performer and facilitator from North Devon. She makes a mix of ensemble based, music led theatre, outdoor work, and solo shows. Jess grew up along the North Devon coast, and much of her work is inspired by the sea and the tales of the people who live by (and maybe even in) it and loves weaving together storytelling and music in her work. Jess was part of Bristol Old Vic’s Made in Bristol programme (2023/24), collaborates frequently with Devon company Burn the Curtain on magical outdoor theatre shows, and has worked internationally with Trinacria Theatre Company. Jess also volunteers as Programmer for Barnstaple Fringe Theatrefest, a festival that brings a huge range of exciting theatre to the Heart of North Devon.
Jess is developing a show for younger audiences, looking at a boy and his pet fox, with use of puppetry, working with puppet maker Jess Blakemore. Jess wants to explore themes around loyalty, forgiveness, nature, destruction and growth; she’s been struck recently in various conversations about role models for young boys, who they have to look up to, rather than just looking at who they shouldn’t look up to. Along with this, she wants to look at how we can explore and express our emotions, big or small, happy or scary, and young characters who are allowed to be emotional, make mistakes and learn and take action from that.
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Nayomie James
UNEXPLORED PLACES THEATRE Co
Nayomie James
UNEXPLORED PLACES THEATRE Co
Nayomie James, of Unexplored Places Theatre Co, is now living and working in North Devon, having trained and worked in London as a professional actor for over a decade. Pursuing her love of writing, Nayomie has recently engaged with Paines Plough on their three-year Tour The Writer programme, which culminated in her first full length stage play. Now writing poetry for a spoken word event, a screenplay, a set of children’s books and a panto, Nayomie decided that she should also write a new short play for The Landmark Theatre’s Welcome Weekend this year. Nayomie is continuing to perform professionally as a dancer for Switchframe Scenic Dance and actor, notably this year with Pleasure Dome Theatre Co again, returning to the Valley of Rocks, Exmoor.
Brief intro to the show
Three friends are reunited at a wellbeing retreat, to rest, rejuvenate and recharge, but will divorce, an unwelcome fasting regime, a collapsing career and the potential for murder spoil their fun, or will it add to each of their lives in the way that only a dark comedy can explore? Bringing together the unholy trinity of actors, for the first time on stage in fourteen years, are you ready for Ab Fab meets Murder Most Horrid, all set in the relative quiet of the North Devon ‘Vicar of Dibley’ landscape. Adult content, language and themes, with a dash of raging feminism thrown in for good measure.
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Jack Burnett
SHAMOLLACK
Jack Burnett
SHAMOLLACK
Jack Burnett is a puppeteer, artist and performer based in North Devon and Bristol. His love for puppetry was instilled early with both his parents being part of the puppetry company Storybox Theatre. Studying Animation at UWE allowed him to meet his partners in puppetry – Shaw and Molly, and together they formed Shamollack. Jack has produced both their performances, Draenoggin and Regalia, and created the puppets for the latter.
Shamollack (formerly JackShaw Theatre) is a company founded by three graduates of UWE’s Animation course. A shared love of puppets and myth led them to stage their first show in 2024. Since then they have performed multiple shows across Devon and the Southwest of England.
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Molly Barrett
SHAMOLLACK
Molly Barrett
SHAMOLLACK
As one third of the Shamollack trio, Molly Barrett is a multidisciplinary creative working across Puppetry, Animation and Fabrication. Compelled by the use of voice, masks and regional mythologies, she has been creating with the troop since 2024. During this time she has produced and puppeteered two original works by the company; Draenoggin and Regalia.
Shamollack (formerly JackShaw Theatre) is a company founded by three graduates of UWE’s Animation course. A shared love of puppets and myth led them to stage their first show in 2024. Since then they have performed multiple shows across Devon and the Southwest of England.
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Shaw Fox
SHAMOLLACK
Shaw Fox
SHAMOLLACK
Shaw Fox is a writer and performer based in Bristol and Devon, co-founding Shamollack in 2024 and working with them ever since. He specialises in script and song writing, and in masked performance.
He is inspired by folklore and tradition, but his greatest muse is his Labrador, Strawberry Fox
Shamollack (formerly JackShaw Theatre) is a company founded by three graduates of UWE’s Animation course. A shared love of puppets and myth led them to stage their first show in 2024. Since then they have performed multiple shows across Devon and the Southwest of England.
