History

 

HAND IN HAND THEATRE PRODUCTIONS (founded Jan 2008)

In just under four years Hand in Hand Theatre’s achievements are impressive. They pride themselves on being a partner-organisation with an inclusive policy and a body of original and challenging projects. We thank all those who have given us support in the past and continue to support us.

 

2008 Jan –July       ALL ALONG THE RIVER.

Partners: St Mary’s College of Performing Arts, Wirral Youth Theatre Sound Steps project, Totally Talented Community Music Workshop, The Wallasey Choir and 8 local schools.

Funders: Awards For All (The Big Lottery). Mersey Waterfront, Wirral Children and young people’s Dept. Merseytravel.

Associated supporter:  Radio Merseyside, Liverpool Museums, Aspire Trust, Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society, The Walrus magazine, Wirral CVS and VCA Wirral.

Participants:  150+    Audience 1000+

GUESTS:

 Angela Eagle MP  

The Mayor of Wirral  

Anthony Peake ( author)

 

2009 Jan –Nov   REMEMBRANCE DAY

Partners and supporters: Action Transport Theatre “Generations” project, The British Legion,  Families Need Fathers Charity.

Funders: Your Wirral & Community Foundation For Merseyside

Associated supporters: NODA, Wirral CVS & VCA Wirral, Vintage Radio, 7 Waves community Radio and The Walrus magazine. The Leverhulme Festival and The AETF and NDFA.

Tour Sponsors:  SHELL(UK) Stanlow Refinery.

Participants: 15-20     Audiences 1000+ nationally

AWARDS: Winner of Leverhulme Drama Festival, Winner of Best actor, Winner of Merseyside final of ALL ENGLAND THEATRE FESTIVAL. Winner of North West Final and winner of best presentation at Regional finals ( SEMI-FINAL of AETF). Finalist at National Drama Festival  and commended at Geoffrey Whitworth competition.  Broadcast on 11^th November by local radio stations in 2009 and 2010.

 

2009 Jun- Sept THE GEORGE HARRISON SUITCASE

Partners: ROX theatre and John Gorman’s Wirral Writers.

Supporters: Fort Perch Rock Museum. Gladstone Theatre. NODA. VCA Wirral. 7 Waves radio. Walrus magazine. Liverpool Echo. 

    Participants: 20+         Audience 400 +

 

2010 Mar. UP FOR ARTS SEMINAR

Partners: NODA and Radio Merseyside.

Presentation and performances.

2010  Jan- Sept THE FLOOD

Partners:  The Active Drama Co’s THE MYSTERIES in Birkenhead Park.

Participants: The Village choir (MD David Ben Shannon) , members of Totally Talented Workshop and young people from summer training project.

Funders: Your Wirral, Funds For You and Community Foundation For Merseyside(Grassroots)

Participants: 60 +  Audience 200.

 

2010 Jun–Oct  THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Partners: H&T Productions.

Nominated Charity: Birkenhead Children’s Holiday Fund

Community Engagement: New Brighton Primary and The Oldershaw School

Associated Supporters: NODA, Wirral CVS and CVS Wirral, The Wirral Globe, The Walrus and 7 Waves Radio.

AWARDS: Nominated for Best Director, Best Actor and best supporting actress at NODA NW awards

 

2011 Jan –July BENTLEY: Road to Justice

Partners: ROX theatre

Funders: Your Wirral, Funds 4 You, CFM (Grassroots)

Associated supporters: NODA, VCA Wirral, Leverhulme Festival. AETF & NDFA. Wallasey News, The Globe and The Walrus.  Radio Merseyside.

Awards: Runner-up at The Leverhulme and Best Director. Winner of Merseyside Final and Winner of N.W. Final ( quarter final of AETF)  and performed at Semi-finals (The Northern Regions)

Participants: 20+ Audiences 300+ regionally.

 

2011 May  PRESENTED TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Bev Clark invited to a Royal occasion to celebrate young people’s achievement in the performing arts

2011 May UPFOR ARTS WORKSHOPS – partnered with Radio Merseyside and AGE CONCERN

2011  May/July RSC OPENSTAGES WORKSHOPS AT CONTACT THEATRE MANCHESTER.

2011 August NODA SUMMER SCHOOL. Warwick University.

 

 

Personnel

Bev Clark

Founder and Creative Co-ordinator of Hand in Hand Theatre Productions, Bev has worked in the South East, South West and is now based in North West on The Wirral. Previous companies include - Bristol Old Vic, The Palace Theatre (Westcliff) The Hippodrome (Colchester) and Theatre in Education: Action Transport. She has worked as a Youth Theatre director for three separate youth theatres and has written, directed and performed for many years.

David Crosby

Chairman. After a career as an accountant and Record shop owner David joined many local societies and over the past few years have appeared in many productions with West Kirby Light Operatic Society, Bebington drama society and as an extra in  TV and films. He became Chairman of Hand in Hand Theatre after appearing as the grandfather in Remembrance Day and then appeared in George Harrison's suitcase and The Importance of Being Earnest as Lane. Most recently, he worked with Bev on the script of Bentley. He initially concieved the idea of our original production and he is now working on his own play after Brian Epstein

Anyone wishing to get involved as a volunteer should email us at hihtheatre@gmail.com

Click here to view our radio interview on Radio Merseyside