SIZE OF COMPANY
Varies

SCALE OF VENUE
Small to large

PERMANENT STAFF
Artistic Director
Barrie Rutter
Associate Director & Composer
Conrad Nelson
General Manager
Sue Andrews

ARTISTIC POLICY
Formed in 1992 by artistic director Barrie Rutter, Northern Broadsides is a national and international touring company based in Yorkshire. The company has built up a formidable reputation performing Shakespeare and classical texts in an innovative and popular style, in both conventional and non-theatre locations. Northern Broadsides' work is characterised by its vitality, original music, and humour; a refreshing ensemble style that adds coherence to the performance, together with precise direction, resulting in work of remarkable clarity.

REVIEW EXTRACTS
The ensemble is the thing…the sheer dedication and drive of the company finally takes your breath away, pushing you to your feet come curtain call.
The Daily Telegraph
Northern Broadsides has a knack of pinning theatre down to fundamentals......the acting is so immediate, so alarmingly intimate, it becomes difficult to believe that anyone could be only pretending.
The Guardian
Wonderfully bold, punchy verse...Barrie Rutter's production combines simplicity with energy, intensity and something more. I challenge anyone not to be moved.
Benedict Nightingale, The Times

CURRENT PRODUCTIONS
Dario Fo’s Accidental Death of an Anarchist– A new adaptation by Deborah McAndrew
Sharp, hilarious, fast-paced, bawdy, slapstick, filled with anarchy, irreverence and sheer lunacy this new version is retold in a contemporary northern England police station, and is filled with topical gags and a corrosive perspective on the great British constabulary.
2hrs 10 mins /1 interval, 6 actors/3crew (contains strong language)
Heidi – The Goats Tale adapted by Andrew Pollard
The classic tale of the irrepressible little girl is seen through the eyes of a band of unruly goats. Their take on Heidi’s adventures causes much hilarity as human’s antics are put through the minds and eyes of goats.
80mins/1 interval, 5 actors/3crew

FUTURE PRODUCTIONS
Othello
Love, racism, jealousy and desire are at the emotional core of Shakespeare’s monumental tragedy, a tender love story shattered by one man’s obsessive hatred of another.
12 actors/5 crew
Hamlet
One of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. An obsessed and haunted young man driven almost to madness in his determination to avenge his father’s death.
12 actors/4 crew
Richard II
Shakespeare’s deeply poetic tragedy that signals the beginning of the division of England’s nobility that leads a nation into a 100 year bloody conflict.
17 actors/4 crew

WRAP-AROUND
All the productions are supported by workshops and masterclasses tailored to suit particular requirements.
Example education packs are available on the company’s website

RECENT INTERNATIONAL WORK
2007 China: The Tempest

TOURING AVAILABILITY
Details on request