Writer
Bea Roberts is a professional playwright based in Bristol, committed to writing work that is socially responsive and compassionate at the heart of which lies compelling, engaging and well crafted storytelling. As well as her work as a playwright, Bea has undertaken research and archive work for Bristol Museum Services and has a keen interest in social history, politics and economics.
In addition to writing plays Bea has also written sketches, sitcoms, storytelling pieces and stand-up comedy. Bea currently has new work in development with Pins and Needles Productions, the Exeter Bikeshed Theatre, Forest Forge, Polly Ingham Productions and BBC Radio 4. Bea is represented by Katie Williams at The Agency.
Director
Anna Farthing An award winning creator of drama in live and recorded media, with a special interest in creating original material from historical and intercultural themes. Anna creates drama for theatre, music theatre, heritage sites, audio, video, live-action and animated film. She also works as a consultant in the creative and cultural industries and as a practice based researcher.
Following a degree in Drama from Bristol University, Anna trained in Commedia dell’Arte with Antonio Fava and then worked as a freelance writer and director with, among others, the National Theatre, Battersea Arts Centre, Bristol Old Vic, Welsh National Opera, Colway Theatre Trust and the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton.
In 1989 she won an apprenticeship to The Banff Centre, Canada where she directed 'Soldiers Tale' and 'Cunning Little Vixen' and co-directed 'Street Scene'. She returned to the UK with Welsh National Opera’s 'Tornrak', which was developed in Banff.
In 1991 she won the National/BAC Young Directors Award, directed Dario Fo’s 'Elizabeth I' at BAC, and was assistant to Francesca Zambello on the Earls Court monster opera 'Tosca'. During the following ten years she adapted, devised and directed many live performances. Highlights included the Columbian magical realist play 'The Bolt-hole' at BAC and The Nuffield, Southampton, a new version of 'Peter Pan' for MAC in Birmingham, Catherine Johnson’s 'Where’s Willy?' for Bristol Old Vic and popular productions of 'A Midsummer Nights Dream', 'Twelfth Night' and 'Pericles'. After a national tour with her own adaptation of Dale Spender’s 'Diary of Elizabeth Pepys', Anna returned to The National Theatre as a Staff Director for 'Women of Troy' in the Olivier Theatre and developed many new plays in The Studio.
With the arrival of children Anna returned to Bristol where she directed 'A Journey to Bristol or the Red Trousered Philanthropist', the inaugural production in The Tobacco Factory. During this period she and husband Chris Moll set up Harvest Films Ltd, for whom Anna co-wrote 'Hamilton Mattress' for BBC1 Xmas Day, co-directed 'Lido' for HTV/UK Film Council, and created the event based talent development initiative 'The Joy of 8mm'.
In 2004 she began exploring using drama to engage audiences with complex and emotive histories for The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. She subsequently received Arts and Humanities Research Council funding to undertake doctoral research at Manchester University in this area. The PhD is now completed and the heritage work is delivered through Harvest Heritage, Arts and Media.
Anna is Chair of the board of The International Museum Theatre Alliance - Europe.
Currently:
- R&D for The Plant, a live documentary about the Kraft takeover of Cadbury with writer Bea Roberts.
- Scoping the Bristol General Hospital Story Project for the NHS
- Visiting Tutor, MA Performance Research at Bristol University.
- Part-time Research Associate for Conservatoire for Dance and Drama. www.cdd.ac.uk
Next available for interesting commissions and collaborations from January 2012
Recent activity:
Creative Producer, M Shed launch: Reinterpreted Bristol's creation myth of Goram, Vincent and the Fair Avona with Cirque Bijou, trains, boats and cranes: Revived an ancient tradition with a contemporary new twist with The Procession of Professions: Co-wrote The Bristol Song for primary aged children with David Ogden and Eugene Byrne: Co-produced the 0117 Film Challenge with Encounters Festivals and The Bristol Film Office: Devised a week long programme including activity days for under 5's and older people, including a tea dance. All events were documented by Farrows Creative (see films below). Launch programme delivered on time and under budget.
Link to Opening Ceremony
Link to Compilation of all Opening Events
Link to The Bristol Song
From June 2010, worked with Bristol Museums Galleries and Archives: As Special Projects Manager, overhauled the Volunteering systems to broaden participation, increase access and improve data collection. As Interim Learning Manager, developed 'The Bristol Curriculum' and won Ingenious funding for projects linking the arts with science and engineering. Also won HLF support for new traineeships.
'L'union Fait La Force' - produced a fundraising cabaret for Haiti at The Tobacco Factory.
Developed a third performance collaboration, 'Pauly's War', with Peoplescape Theatre for the Manchester People’s History Museum.
'Peopling The Georgian House' devised and created an interactive resource with audio drama activities.
'Peopling The Georgian House' devised and created an interactive resource with audio drama activities.
'Their Past Your Future' projects with The Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth, documenting and dramatising the memories of veterans with young people. RNM material selected for the BBC's Big City Screens and shortlisted for a Clore Museum Learning Award.
Launched the National Museums of the Royal Navy with a broadside from HMS Victory created by special effects company, Master Gunner.
Produced 'Recalling Robeson in Bristol' (May - June 2009) at BOV, Colston Hall and online with Bristol Stories. Festival of events included revival of Tayo Aluko's show 'Calling Mr Robeson', music workshops, talks, schools events and an exhibition.
