In Good Company: 1956 Theatre

1956 Theatre – a new company established in 2013 – are so named after the year that sparked a wave of change in British theatre, inspired by the bold and unapologetic style found in John Osborne’s groundbreaking play Look Back in Anger. Founded by Amy-Jane Ollies and Lee Lomas (two recent graduates of the University of Salford), they are dedicated to creating bold, ambitious and innovative work for audiences throughout Manchester and the Northwest, with a focus on energetic and exciting stories. They've built an impressive network of actors and creatives and boast a company of 12, all of whom share the same ethos: ‘there are no new stories, just new ways of telling them.’

Previously based in The King’s Arms, 1956 Theatre have already garnered critical acclaim for two of their past productions: an adaptation of the classic novel Great Expectations, and the 1950s noir thriller Dead on Arrival. In the wake of this success, they have secured a month-long residency at Salford Arts Theatre, performing four shows in rep. Ollies, artistic director, describes the leap from a 40- to a 124-seat venue as a "very exciting prospect" and one that will doubtless allow the company to send their theatrical message to a wider audience.

The company’s ethos is focused on writing, directing and performing theatre with a heavy emphasis on storytelling, so it comes as little surprise that their first play, Little Women, is being performed in a minimalistic, stylised way with the focus thrown on the acting and the text. By moving the story from 19th-century America to Britain during the Second World War, they hope to prove that such a classic, well known story can translate effectively to the new setting. The opportunity to work alongside such a strong female ensemble is also an exciting prospect for Ollies, who explains cheerily that it was "lovely to have a piece centred on women!"

The company clearly enjoy taking risks and making ambitious decisions with their work, proven by the inclusion of two original pieces of new writing in their upcoming season. Wolf, written by Ollies, is set in Salford during the 1990s and tells the story of raw and intimate relationships taut with insecurity. Inspired by the writing of playwright Simon Stephens, 1956 Theatre aim to mirror his ambitious and reactive style within their production, while the ‘gritty, northern satire’ of Wolf is something that the company hopes will connect with the people of Manchester.

It is thrilling to see this young company emerge as champions of new writing while simultaneously exploring new ways of telling old stories.