Tyneside CIC launches new theatre and film production company for women & the disadvantaged
A Newcastle-based, female-led community interest company that provides a platform for autistic people has announced the launch of a new film & theatre production company in a bid tackle the hard-hitting social issues of the day.
Led by a group of North East creatives - including the acclaimed actress and playwright, Alison Stanley and producer come serial blogger Christine Stephenson - Life of Reilly Productions (LOR Productions) is set to produce a variety of theatre works tackling the issues of the day faced by women and those from disadvantaged backgrounds, both for public performance and educational purposes with immediate effect.
With an emphasis on hard-hitting social issues, equality and autism, the company is an exciting addition to the North East’s theatre sector, which has taken a battering in the wake of Covid-19.
The company seeks to support new writing and help those with a passion for theatre to enter the sector and now encouraging budding actors and writers, especially those from disadvantage backgrounds, to contribute to its productions.
The company aims to employ up to twenty new team members, including actors from the region, backstage crew and front of house staff for its soon to be launched theatre and education hub.
LOR Productions is also launching a work experience scheme to provide opportunities for people with autism and their families.
The new company will act as the sister arm of Life of Reilly CIC, an organisation that provides support and advice to families of autistic children, training for employers and practitioners, and entertainment for the wider public.
Life of Reilly CIC was founded by Alison Stanley, blogger Christine Stephenson and counsellor Kelly Best, who all connected over their shared experiences of raising autistic children.
Together, the founding trio built a company that supports families throughout the North East and entertains audiences across the country. The Life of Reilly theatre production, which follows the life of an autistic adult reflecting on his life, has toured extensively throughout the UK and earned critical acclaim from theatre critics.
As the theatre arm of the company has expanded, the team saw an opportunity to further develop its performance programmes and reach a wider audience.
“Our performance programmes became such a huge part of the business that we separated them and formed a new company which is dedicated solely to theatre and film production company,” Alison Stanley explains.
“Our mission is to bring performance into the community, educate and inform through performance and get the community involved.”
In an effort to keep theatre open to everyone, LOR Productions brings its performance to unconventional spaces to make theatre accessible to people of all backgrounds, regardless of geography or income.
Alison continues: “LOR Productions is for everybody who is interested in theatre as an art form and for those who are simply looking for good entertainment. We tackle social subjects through performance, raising issues and topics that affect the community.
“We hope to raise awareness and inform with each of our plays. We want to get people talking and rethinking their views on important topics.”
With its roots in autism support and education, LOR Productions aims to inform and entertain audiences, tackling a range of social issues through its Theatre in Education Programme.
The programme teaches schoolchildren of all ages about complex issues through the power of theatre, with subjects that include, social media, bullying, diversity, gambling and pornography.
In preparation for Autism Awareness Week, LOR Productions has produced a film aimed specifically at primary schools to help young children understand what it means to be autistic. It will feature the film across a variety of schools in the region, as part of its own North East Autism School Awareness week, which will run from 12th until 16th April.
The main character in the educational movie, ‘Really Reilly’ explains what it feels like to be autistic, the sensory issues some children experience and provides insight to pupils and teachers about autism.
Alison Stanley has also written a new play, titled Sex is Hard Work, which takes a deep dive into the UK sex industry. With its cutting wit, fearless honesty and strong performances, the play has earned a spot at the 2021 edition of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and will premiere at the Cluny in Newcastle this summer once restrictions are lifted.
The launch of LOR Productions comes at an opportune time as the country emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic and live entertainment prepares to return to the stage.
Alison Stanley has said LOR Productions has big ambitions with plans in motion for new theatre productions, a feature film, education programmes and a brick and mortar ‘creative hub’, containing a theatre, screening room, rehearsal space and café.
For more details about The Life of Reilly and their upcoming projects, visit: http://reillycic.com/