Kneehigh Theatre Company Business

Kneehigh Theatre Company

What is Kneehigh Theatre Company?

Kneehigh Theatre Company is one of the national theatre companies and Cornwall. Kneehigh has performed to audiences throughout Cornwall, UK and beyond. Kneehigh have built a reputation for creating popular theatre for audiences. In 1980 a village school teacher started running theatre workshops in his spare time. As time went by people started to get involved such as a farmer, a sign writer from Tesco etc. There were no actors in this group. Performances were slipped in causally and finally the production of shows.

Kneehigh then created a theatre for families in locations within their local area. Some were created on cliff tops, in preaching pits etc. Now Kneehigh are currently known as Britain’s most exciting touring theatre companies. Kneehigh create a broad picture of things using multi-talented group of performers such as performers, directors, sculptors, engineers etc. They use a wide range of tools for the performances. For example the use arts forms and media to add something to the production. It create a spontaneous feel as it is a sense of risk and adventure. It gives a extraordinary dramatic results.

What past shows has Kneehigh performed?

Kneehigh have performed in many shows. In 2011 for example Kneehigh performed ‘The Wild Bride’ which is about a girl who was betrayed by her father. The father is a wicked character. She meets a prince and falls pregnant but then the prince is called to war. Her heart breaks as she finds herself at those pesky cross roads.

Currently Kneehigh are performing internationally ‘Tristan and Yseult’which is a romantic show. Back in the UK Kneehigh are performing ‘Dead Dog in a Suitcase’ and ‘Daphne du maurier’s Rebecca’.

Who runs the company?

There are several associate directors in Kneehigh. There is Simon Baker,Stu Barker, Carl Grose, Simon Harvey, Anna Mari Murphy. Etta Murfitt, Malcolm Rippeth and Steve Tanner. Simon Baker is the sound designer. He has worked with Kneehigh company for many years and has taken part in many projects such as The Red Shoes, The Wild Bride and The Midnight’s pumpkin. Stu Baker is the composer and musical director. Stu has worked extensively with Kneehigh for the past sixteen on shows including Hansel and Gretel, The Bacchae, The wooden frock etc. Carl Grose is the writer. He has worked with kneehigh company for sixteen years too and has written shows including A Matter of Life and Death, Tristan and Yseult.Anna  Maria Murphy is also a writer. Anna has almost been with Kneehigh from the beginning. She has collaborated with Carl Grose to write plays such as Tristan and Yseult. Simon Harvey is the director and performer. Etta Murfitt is choreographer of Kneehigh for shows including Steptoe and Son, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. Malcolm Rippeth is the lighting designer. He is designed many shows for Kneehigh including wah wah girls. Steve Tanner is the Photographer. He has been with Kneehigh since before the age of digital.