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One of the UK's most original theatre companies, founded in 1992, and based in Coventry, West Midlands, Theatre Absolute is supported by Arts Council England, as a regularly funded organisation. Its core members are Julia Negus, producer, and Chris O’Connell, artistic director and writer.
The company produces and tours new plays for the theatre that are bold, urban, uncompromising, and contemporary. Telling stories of ordinary people caught in extraordinary situations, the company places an emphasis on character, text, and narrative to create richly imagined worlds.
Integral to the company are its highly regarded participatory performance and literacy development activities for young people. The company has a particular focus towards young people who are at risk, and not in mainstream education.
Audiences, participants, and practitioners speak of the ‘Theatre Absolute experience', struck by the inspirational intensity of the company, and its tough determination to create high quality, authentic theatre that finds its roots in the fabric of an increasingly complex, ambiguous, and compelling world.
In 2009, Theatre Absolute founded the UK's first professional shop front theatre at 38 City Arcade, in Coventry city centre's shopping precinct.
What audience members have said about 'Breathe', the most recent piece performed by the company in the shop front theatre in November, 2010.
"....honestly one of the most moving pieces of drama I have ever experienced. Very inspiring"
"Really enjoyed it, best thing I've seen in A level drama."
"From having been an audience member, I think it’s important to recognise the value of having a space like that [the shop front theatre]. The difference in experience that it brings as an audience member. And the fact that it becomes not so much a trip to the theatre as an experience in itself.