Patch of Blue Theatre Company

Fresh innovative and exciting theatre is promised by relative newcomers Patch of Blue Theatre. Alex Howarth, Caroline McCaffrey and Emily Hill have come together from around the UK to create an unusual interactive experience for theatregoers at the Chambers Street C Venues throughout August.

The first of their three shows is children's fable Hansel and Gretel which boasts an immersive atmosphere in which the audience are encouraged to feel part of the performance as seated on sofas or on the ‘grass’ of the enchanted forest, the story of two lost children plays out around them.

Following on from the theme of inclusion, the second show in their daily repertoire is Steven Schwartz’s Godspell. The idea of incorporating the audience into the performance is highlighted through the strong audio and visual elements of the production, making the play accessible to those with hearing or sight difficulties. Taking the lofty teachings of the bible and transporting them to a junk yard, in which people of all ages and from every walk of life act out messages of the parables brings them somewhat closer to home, with the hope of creating and encouraging a sense of community.

The final instalment of this interactive theatrical trilogy is The Last Five Years. Written by Jason Robert Brown, Patch of Blue put their own twist on this witty and poignant play through their use of sets and backdrops which evoke the sense of memory that pervades the narrative. The story focuses on the relationship between Cathy and Jamie, both from beginning to end, and end to beginning, as their narratives are chronologically inverted. Interspersed with songs and music, the show promises to make the audience laugh as well as cry.