Southampton Forward has partnered with Solent University and leading director Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE to deliver an exciting project that will shine a light on the experiences and heritage of people across the city.

Southampton Forward is inviting artists, theatre-makers and members of the public to shape a bold and exciting new project that will see the creation of bespoke new pieces of theatre sharing stories from diverse communities across Southampton. Made in collaboration with local artists and performed in homes across the city, the plays will celebrate the voices of residents through their stories of what it means to be Sotonian from the many different perspectives of people living in Southampton.

Home Theatre – Southampton will create three networks: local people, theatre makers and film makers. The collaboration between these groups is anticipated to generate creative energy, new ideas and insights, making this an important and exciting project, supported by funding from Arts Council England, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The performances will take place in the intimate settings of local homes across Southampton and will be filmed over the weekend of Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th October 2024. A screening of the film in early 2025 will invite audiences from around the world to see the work and be part of an online conversation about what it means to live in a global city that speaks over 160 languages with a rich maritime history.

To bring this project to life Southampton Forward is collaborating with Olivier Award-winning Theatre Director Kerry Kyriacos Michael. Kerry was Artistic Director at The Theatre Royal, Stratford East for 13 years, and led one of the most pioneering programmes of work in developing community-led collaborations both inside and outside of the venue.

Southampton Forward is looking for theatre makers, directors and stage managers to help shape this project, working with local residents who will host performances in their homes. Working collaboratively to co-design the performances, artists and residents will come together to make new work based on the diverse stories of people living in any of the 17 wards of the city and what it means to belong in Southampton. Rehearsing together and devising the performance, local hosts will be encouraged to invite their own audience of friends and family to a final performance in their homes, supported by our creative team of theatre makers, producers and film crew. 

Kerry Kyriacos Michaelsaid, “Theatre is about telling great stories; this project will capture these from across the city. It’s also a great opportunity for artists and Southampton audiences to come together and have an open dialogue about their stories and the project.”   

Students from Solent University will be filming all the performances for Southampton Forward’s Home Theatre digital event, which will take place early in 2025. Audiences will be encouraged to comment and talk about the work using social media. 

Members of the public wishing to volunteer to take part in this exciting project can find out further details by visiting Southampton Forward’s website and are asked to register their interest online by 28^th August. 

Leader of Southampton City Council, Councillor Lorna Fielker said: “I am delighted that Southampton Forward has secured funding for exciting projects like Home Theatre Southampton, which celebrate our city’s diverse communities and cultural heritage, spotlighting the people who shape Southampton’s unique identity. I really look forward to seeing the results of the creative collaboration between communities, artists and Solent University students, funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Arts Council England, led by Southampton Forward.”

Annie Sanger-Davies, Course Director at Solent University and Home Theatre project producer, said: “We’re so excited to be delivering this fantastic, imaginative project, and we’re hoping people from across the city will want to engage with it and share their stories.”

Claire Whitaker, CEO of Southampton Forward said, ‘’It’s wonderful to see this project coming to life. It combines the opportunity to shine a spotlight on the stories and heritage of Sotonians in an imaginative way, with an opportunity for local theatre practitioners to develop their professional practice and access mentoring by an Oliver-award winning theatre director.

“We are grateful for the funding support from Arts Council England, National Lottery Heritage Fund and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation which has enabled this project to happen, as well as the ongoing commitment from our founding partners.”

Key dates to note are:

• 5^th – 28^th August –call for community participants and theatre practitioners
• 26^th – 27^th October – performances in 12 homes
• 25^th January 2025 – film screening at MAST

For further information, contact:

To find out more, and register your interest in participating in Home Theatre visit www.southamptonforward.org.uk/home-theatre