RedCape Theatre is run by Artistic Directors Cassie Friend and Rebecca Loukes and is company-in-residence at South Street Arts Centre, Reading.
We make and tour original plays. Our starting point is always a true story. We are drawn to ordinary people in extraordinary situations. From here we begin a process of research and investigation, meeting as many people as we can. The material is then brought into a rehearsal room where it is sifted and shaped by all the collaborators. Through this process we aim to make theatre that matters, moves and entertains. Our work is highly visual and physical with new writing.
We also facilitate students from GCSE through to postgraduate to create their own work. This is done through lectures, workshops and resource packs. Please contact us for more information.
RedCape Theatre came together in 2006 to make their first show The Idiot Colony. The founding members Claire Coaché, Cassie Friend and Rebecca Loukes originally met at Lancaster University and subsequently each trained and performed internationally before returning to form RedCape Theatre.
The success of The Idiot Colony established RedCape Theatre as a company with a reputation for producing high quality, original devised physical theatre based on extensive research of real life stories. We have since created three other productions; From Newbury with Love, 1 Beach Road and Be Brave and leave for the Unkown.
Cassie is Artist in Residence at South Street Arts Centre where she has directed and performed in a dozen of their productions for the award winning Sitelines Festival. Venues include a Victorian department store, Reading football stadium, an Abbey and a yurt. RedCape’s new show On Track will be the first co-production with South Street and will take place both indoors and outdoors.
Cassie trained at Ecole Jacques Lecoq, was a compere for many years and is a keen cyclist.
Rebecca Loukes (Artistic Director) trained in the body awareness practices of Elsa Gindler with Eva Schmale and Charlotte Selver and Asian martial/meditation arts with Phillip Zarrilli. She co-created and co performed The Idiot Colony and worked as Dramaturg on 1 Beach Road. She is currently devising the new show.
As well as being a co-founder of RedCape Theatre she is Senior Lecturer in Drama at the University of Exeter and Associate Editor of the Journal of Theatre, Dance and Performer Training.
Catherine Dyson (Associate Artist) is a writer and performer. With RedCape she performed in 1 Beach Road and Thunder Road, and wrote Be Brave and Leave for the Unknown, Thunder Road, On Track, and will be writing the script for new show The Luminous.
She was part of the BBC Writersroom Wales 2018/19, BBC Writersroom Comedy Room 2019/20, and Sherman New Welsh Playwrights 2016. In 2019 she was shortlisted and specially commended for the Wales Writer in Residence Award. She was longlisted this year for the same award and also for the Funny Women Writing Award 2020. She is also an Associate Artist with Theatr Iolo.
Further information about Catherine's work is at http://www.cathdyson.com
South Street Arts Centre is an Arts Centre in the heart of Reading presenting a diverse range of performing arts from both the professional and community sectors. The professional programme attracts the very best new and established names in fringe theatre, comedy, music and live literature.
“A profound and poetic sense of loss hangs over The Idiot Colony.”
The Stage - The Idiot Colony
“Coastal erosion becomes a metaphor for something even more chilling in this thoughtful, unsettling and beautifully conceived show.”
The Guardian - 1 Beach Road
“Fun and feisty, a quirky road trip through dreams and friendship, first aid tips and cowboy boots. Very entertaining.”
British Theatre Guide - Thunder Road
“excellent use of physical theatre and the actors have splendid chemistry with each other, this is a moving and captivating production.”
Newbury Weekly News - Be Brave And Leave For The Unknown
SCOTSMAN FRINGE FIRST WINNER
TOTAL THEATRE AWARD FOR BEST VISUAL THEATRE AT EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL