Update: Read more about the World Premiere of Insane Animals here
This year we’ve turned up the volume on our talent development programme with the launch of our distinctive and pioneering project, the T1 Commission. Following a nationwide call out, over 100 applications and a 2 month selection process, we’re thrilled to share with you that London’s award-winning musical comedy-cabaret company Bourgeois & Maurice (George Heyworth and Liv Morris) will present Insane Animals (working title), our first T1 Commission.
With generous support from PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund and The Foyle Foundation, the T1 Commission provides an unrivaled opportunity for mid-career theatre makers to work with us to create for the first time a new piece of work for our T1 stage to be presented in Spring 2019. We were looking for an individual or a company who were ready to make a step change in their practice and who were looking for support to make this change. We wanted to hear from theatre makers who have not had the opportunity, the resources or the support to make work for a main stage. This unique commission includes a bespoke, 2-year residency with training, shadowing opportunities, practical R&D and mentoring from our creative team alongside a team of international industry professionals.
Bourgeois & Maurice are a musical duo with style as sharp as their wit. They began their career working in the bars and clubs of London, and cutting their teeth at the Edinburgh Fringe, before moving into performing regularly at Soho Theatre and touring the UK and abroad. Part cabaret, part theatre, part catwalk freak show, their music explores the mundane absurdity of modern life and wraps it up neatly in a catchy pop hook. Armed with acid wit, a piano and several inches of make-up, the pair are innovative, provocative and irresistible.
“We are beyond excited to have been awarded the T1 Commission and become part of the HOME home. It’s a completely unique opportunity for us to take our ten years of experience making satirical musical and theatre work for small to medium size stages, and apply it to a main stage show, with the support and advice of a brilliantly experienced team. We plan to explore stories and themes that are pertinent within contemporary UK society, through music, humour, satire and a chorus of 45 dancers, huge pyrotechnics, a children’s choir, possibly a flying helicopter and stadium level lasers. Those last few are still TBC at the moment, but either way we really can’t wait to make something big, bold and bonkers. Thanks HOME for giving us this career-changing opportunity “ – George Heyworth & Liv Morris.
They first performed at HOME in December 2017 with sold-out Christmas cabaret Yule Be Sorry, and returned to HOME as to appear in Orbit Festival 2018 and as start attractions at HOME’s takeover of the National Theatre River Stage2.
Supported by PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund.
Want to know more about Bourgeois & Maurice?
Website: www.bourgeoisandmaurice.co.uk
Twitter: @BourgMaurice
Facebook: bourgeoisandmaurice
Instagram:@BourgMaurice