Folio was formed in 2014 in order to make new work for small scale and studio touring. Through R&D Folio develops new plays with theatre’s most exciting artists - both emergent and established.
We are passionate about new writing and bringing it to life, creating a rich and diverse programme of work. We believe in making theatre accessible not only to those with easy access to playhouses and arts centres but to everyone, no matter where they live.
Our vision is a World where audiences can access top quality theatrical productions in their local area, wherever they live and artists and other creatives can live and work wherever they choose, cultivating a rewarding and successful career in the arts without having to move away from the place they love.
Unearthed - Folio’s debut show - was chosen as one of The Guardian’s Readers Favourite Stage Shows Of The Year in 2015. Since then, Folio has developed 6 new plays for UK tours in association with Bristol Old Vic, Salisbury Playhouse, The Brewhouse Theatre, Pound Arts and English Touring Theatre. We are currently developing a new play Nanny - supported by ETT. Folio are an Associate Company of Pound Arts and a Forge Associate of English Touring Theatre for 2019/20. Our patron is playwright April De Angelis.
Another core aspect of Folio’s work is that we develop projects with and in support of charities. These have included: The Stroke Association, CoppaFeel! and Carers Trust. With the Carers Trust, Folio developed a workshop programme for young carers, which was delivered in centres across the UK and we hope to roll out long term.
Our PortFOLIO
2015 - ‘Unearthed’ Debut Tour
Venues including the Arcola, New Wimbledon studio, The Bikeshed)
Supported by Proteus Theatre, The Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Council England
Charity partners: Carers Trust and The Stroke Association
Written by Alys Metcalf
Directed by Kim Pearce
The Guardian - readers favourite stage shows of 2015
2016 - ‘Reel Life’ tour
Venues including The St James Theatre London (now the other Palace) and Ustinov Studio, Theatre Royal Bath
Supported by Old Vic Workrooms, Trowbridge Arts
Charity partner: Coppafeel!
Written by Alys Metcalf
Directed by Adam Lenson
2016 - 'Unearthed' Remount Tour & Young Carers Programme
Venues including Salisbury Playhouse, Hull Truck, Cheltenham Everyman
Supported by Arts Council England, The John Thaw Foundation, The Mortimer and Sackler Foundation and Split Infinitive
Charity partners: Carers Trust and The Stroke Association
Written by Alys Metcalf
Directed by Kim Pearce & Hannah Joss
2018 - 'Our Blood Is An Ocean'
at Bristol Old Vic Studio
Supported by BOV writers room
Written by Jack Sanderson-Thwaite
Directed by Alex Moxon
2019 - 'The Edit' UK Tour
In association with Salisbury Playhouse
Supported by Arts Council England.
Written by Sarah Gordon
Directed by Joe Hufton
2019 - 'Believe' tour
In association with Pound Arts & Rural Arts Wiltshire
Supported by Jack Lane Foundation
Written by Russ Tunney
Directed by Lizzie Stables
2020 - 'Nanny' (in development)
In association with English Touring Theatre
Written by Jenny Rainsford, Alana Ramsey and Lizzie Stables
Directed by Jenny Rainsford