Flashbang (2026) - Casting Announcement

PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY presents the full casting for Flashbang, ahead of its main house run at Greenwich Theatre in January 2026, followed by a UK tour later in the year. A co production with Greenwich Theatre, this new staging continues the journey of a show that has already earned eleven four and five star reviews along with two Offie Award nominations for Best Performance and Sound Design.

Playing from 27 to 31 January 2026, Flashbang will announce its tour dates for 2026 shortly.

Recent critical praise includes:
★★★★★ “Proforca has taken the beauty of normality and shone an unlikely spotlight on it. It is poetry, pain, pleasure and a pure joy to behold.” MyTheatreMates
★★★★★ “James Lewis’s luminous script is an affable, affectionate ode to lad hood and the working class.” Lost in Theatreland
★★★★ “A searing but beautifully written play about the importance of friendship that feels incredibly realistic thanks to a superb cast.” Theatre Weekly

The newly announced 2026 cast includes:

ALEX HILL as Ryan/Ryan
An Offie award winning actor, Alex is known for his hit solo piece Why I Stuck a Flare Up My Arse for England, which enjoyed success across Edinburgh, London and the Adelaide Fringe. This is his debut with Proforca Theatre Company.

CHARLIE JOBE as Ryan/Jason
Charlie’s screen work includes Banjo in ITV’s Changing Ends and John Julian in Netflix’s The Lost Pirate Kingdom, alongside stage work for Theatr Gwalia. This is his first production for Proforca Theatre Company.

HAYDN WATTS as Ryan/Andy
Haydn’s recent credits include Last Goal Wins, Phalanx, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and BBC Radio 4’s The Truth About Phyllis Twigg. He returns after earlier involvement with the company through the Side Hustle Scratch programme.

BEN WATTS as Ryan/Deano
A Mountview graduate and Associate Artist of Proforca Theatre Company, Ben has appeared in And If The Surface Tension Breaks and multiple Side Hustle Scratch events. Flashbang marks his second major appearance for the company.

Written by James Lewis and directed by David Brady (Artistic Director of Proforca Theatre and The Lion and Unicorn Theatre), Flashbang is a fast paced and emotionally charged story about five friends in a small town twenty miles from anywhere and the night that changes everything. The play is published by Playdead Press.

The 2026 creative team includes Movement Director Lucy Glassbrook, Associate Director Mark Conway, Lighting Design by Gregory Jordan, and Executive Producers James Haddrell and David Brady. As a co production with Greenwich Theatre, the company works collaboratively with the venue throughout the creative process.

Since its first staging in 2022, Flashbang has become one of Proforca Theatre Company’s most celebrated pieces. Audiences and critics have praised its emotional honesty, its kinetic physicality and its vivid portrayal of working class male friendship. The 2026 production introduces a new cast and builds on the show’s growing reputation across the UK.

Flashbang plays Greenwich Theatre from 27 to 31 January 2026.
Tickets: https://greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/flashbang/ Tour dates for 2026 will be announced shortly.

Proforca Theatre Company are a theatre company based in London. For more information follow them on social media @ProforcaTheatre and visit their website at www.proforca.co.uk.
For additional press enquiries please email hello@proforca.co.uk.

Lately [2025] - Casting Announcement

Casting Announced for Lately - Final Show of Proforça’s Tenth Anniversary Season

We are delighted to announce the full cast and creative team for the return of our Offie-nominated production of Lately by James Lewis, directed by David Brady, which plays for three performances only at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre from November 14–16, 2025.

About the Production

Lately is an intimate, emotional two-hander about the places we can’t escape, the dreams we never realise, and the people who pull us back to earth again.

Cal and Alf. Callum and Alison. They were supposed to be part of each other’s lives forever, if only the universe had let things happen the way they should. But whoever they were before, they’re different people now, and the problem with living here is that it always pulls you back, no matter how far you try to run.

First performed at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in 2021, Lately went on to tour Coventry and Birmingham to critical acclaim and received an Offie Nomination for Best New Play.

The Cast

Kitty Evans – Alison (Alf)
Kitty Evans is an actor from London. She studied English Literature and Theatre Studies at the University of Leeds before completing an MA in Acting at the Guildford School of Acting. Theatre credits include And If The Surface Tension Breaks and The Glasshouse (Lion & Unicorn Theatre), Voices From Home (Theatre 503 and The King’s Head), Checkout (Lion & Unicorn), Another Eavesdropping (Jack Studio Theatre), Macbeth (Quantum Theatre) and Four Sisters (Hope Theatre). Film and television include Toxic Town (Netflix) and Bye Bye Baby (Jessie B Films).

Michael Hawkey – Callum (Cal)
Michael Hawkey is a Sussex-born actor who made his debut playing Hamlet at the Southwark Playhouse. Lately marks his first appearance for Proforça Theatre Company.

Creative Team

Writer: James Lewis
Director: David Brady
Lighting Design: Proforca Theatre Company
Sound Design: Proforca Theatre Company
Movement and Intimacy Coordination: Stella Moss
Producer: Proforça Theatre Company in association with The Lion & Unicorn Theatre

Reviews for Lately

★★★★★ “The play has more than earned its Offie nomination.” – Breaking the Fourth Wall
★★★★ “Beautiful moving storytelling. Excellent theatre.” – London Theatre Reviews
★★★★ “A sensitive and powerful realisation that to save yourself, you can’t save others.” – West End Best Friend

Offie Nomination – Best New Play (2021)

Tickets

Performances run November 14–16, 2025 at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre, London. Tickets available now at www.linktr.ee/proforcatheatre.

Join us for the final chapter in our tenth anniversary season and experience a powerful story about love, loss, and the things we leave behind.

Introducing At Last - Our Tenth Anniversary Production

Press enquiries: hello@proforca.co.uk
Press Night: Wednesday 3rd September 2025
Website: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/at-last-2025
Social Media: @proforcatheatre | @landutheatre | #AtLast

PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE RETURN OF “AT LAST” FOR A
LANDMARK 10THANNIVERSARY RUN AT THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE:

2 – 13 September 2025 | Lion & Unicorn Theatre, London

To mark a decade of producing critically-acclaimed and award-winning new writing, Proforca Theatre Company proudly presents a major revival of its acclaimed original production At Last - returning to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre from 2nd– 13th September 2025 as part of the company’s Tenth Anniversary Season.

First performed in 2019, At Last now returns to the stage with greater resonance than ever before. A centrepiece of a celebratory anniversary run, this bold, unforgiving play delves into the wreckage of a fictional UK gripped by ten years of authoritarian rule - and the people left behind to live with its consequences as a truth & reconciliation commission searches for answers.

The old world has fallen and something brave and new has taken its place.
Out of the fire and rubble and the ashes something new is born. A chance to learn about the past and to discover who we were to save the future. A chance to find hope anew, or to tear open wounds which will never close again.

This is the story of ten years of hate. Ten years of oppression and anger when we gave ourselves up to the dark.

A story of the mother who fought for her broken sons, and the father that stood in judgement. The daughter willing to pay the ultimate price for freedom, the man who stood by and watched and the woman that listened.

This is the story of when the world went mad.

It is time to tell the truth, At Last.

At Last is a story of oppression, freedom, forgiveness and family from the critically-acclaimed, award-nominated team behind “Feel” “Flashbang” “And If The Surface Tension Breaks” and “Lately” & Alex Knott, writer of Cratchit, Loop, The Highgate Vampire & The Messiah Complex.

CAST & CREATIVE TEAM:

Written by: James Lewis & Alexander Knott
Directed by: David Brady
Associate Director: Mark Conway
Cast: Nicole Elizabeth (Grace), Tim Larkfield (Asper), Kim Scopes (Nikki), Demelza O'Sullivan (Marie), Curtis Talbot (Danny), Adam Halcro (Jack), Dominic Farrow (Colin)

Production Photography: Ross Kernahan
Running Time: 120 minutes (including a 15-minute interval)

Content Advisory: Contains strong language, adult themes, and depictions/descriptions of torture.

SPECIAL POST-SHOW Q&A EVENT:
Wednesday 3rd September: Join the cast and creatives for a special anniversary Q&A hosted by Terri Paddock, in conversation about At Last, its impact, and Proforca’s ten-year journey. https://terripaddock.com/events/at-last-2025/

CRITICAL PRAISE FOR “AT LAST”:

★★★★★ “A stunning piece. Seek this out, find it, watch it, and don’t stop thinking about it.” – Everything Theatre
★★★★★ “A terrifying parable for the age we live in.” – View from the Cheap Seat
★★★★★ “Directed with incredible pace, precision and heartbreaking realism… played by a company at the top
of their game.” – The Review Chap
★★★★☆ “Provocative, emotional, gritty and thought-provoking – the qualities you wish for from every play you ever watch.” – London Theatre Reviews
★★★★ “With an explosive storyline and a first-rate cast, At Last cements itself as a modern classic.” – Theatre Weekly
★★★★ “Uniformly excellent performances and good directing make it a great watch.” – London Pub Theatres
★★★★ “The high energy cast is excellent… Under David Brady’s direction (with Jess Barton), it’s a great watch.” – My Theatre Mates
★★★★ “A terrifying glimpse into how an event could become a reality.” – Theatre & Art Reviews (Elaine Chapman)

AWARDS & RECOGNITION:

• Top Ten Shows of 2019 – London Theatre Reviews
• Standing Ovation Award Nominee – London Pub Theatres
• OffComm Commendation – OffWestEnd.com

BOX OFFICE:

• Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town, London
• Tickets: £16 | Concessions £14
• Pay What You Feel Preview Night: Tuesday 2nd September, 7.30pm
• Book: www.linktr.ee/landutheatre

TEN YEARS OF PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

This special run of At Last continues Proforca’s Tenth Anniversary Season – celebrating ten years of unforgettable theatre, daring new writing, and championing bold voices on the fringe. Expect surprises, reflections, and a season of events marking this major milestone in our company’s journey.

For press enquiries, review tickets, or interview requests, please contact:
hello@proforca.co.uk

The Shatter Box [2024] - Cast Announcement

We are delighted to confirm the return of our critically-acclaimed, offie-nominated Associate Artists to present a new iteration of our award-nominated production of “The Shatter Box” by James Lewis for September 2024.

Returning to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this Autumn are offie-nominated Proforca Theatre Company Associate Artists Fred Wardale (Lately & Flashbang) as Knight, Gabrielle Nellis-Pain (Feel, Lately) as Reina, Lauren Ferdinand (Lately, Volcano & 48) as Bishop, Nick Hardy (The Shatter Box & Flashbang) as Castle & Melissa Phillips (Feel More, At Last & The Shatter Box) as King.

Nominated for a London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Nomination for Best Director (David Brady), The Shatter Box is a rollercoaster dystopian cat-and-mouse tango of interrogation, confession, staying alive and lying through your teeth from the critically-acclaimed Multi Offie- Nominated team behind Flashbang (2022/24), Lately (2021/23), AAAAA (2021) & At Last (2019) which will open the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September.

★★★★★ ‘intense dystopian drama, with an astonishingly clever reveal’ – LONDON PUB THEATRES

The Shatter Box is performed at The Lion & Unicorn Theatre from 3rd - 14th September 2024 at 7.30. Tickets are on sale now from https://app.lineupnow.com/event/the-shatter-box-1. Press Night is 4th September 2024. For press enquries contact Matthew Parker at mail@matthewparker.net

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Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. For more information and to find out more about ur projects either follow us on social media @proforcatheatre or visit our website at www.proforca.co.uk.

You can visit the Lion & Unicorn Theatre at www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com or on social media @LandUTheatre #TheShatterBox

The Shatter Box Returns This September!

WRITTEN BY: JAMES LEWIS
DIRECTED BY: DAVID BRADY

SEPTEMBER 3RD -14TH 2023 | 7.30PM
THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE | KENTISH TOWN, NW5 2ED
PRESS NIGHT – WEDNESDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER | 7.30PM

TICKETS: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/the-shatter-box

PRESS ENQUIRIES: | mail@matthewparker.net    

ABOUT THE SHATTERBOX

Noun. shatterbox (plural shatterboxes) A device for mechanically pulverizing a sample of material, used by scientists.

A man wakes up confined to a cage in a clandestine facility.
The cage will only open when he tells the truth.
The only thing that will save his life is a desperate act of compliance.

A woman is assigned to a cage in a clandestine facility.
The cage will only open when she uncovers the truth.
The only thing that will save her life is the ultimate act of defiance.

The only other problem is that neither of them knows quite what the truth is, and neither of them knows quite how far each of them will go to discover it before time runs out…

★★★★★  ‘intense dystopian drama, with an astonishingly clever reveal’ – LONDON PUB THEATRES

Nominated for a London Pub Theatre Standing Ovation Nomination for Best Director (David Brady), The Shatter Box is a rollercoaster dystopian cat-and-mouse tango of interrogation, confession, staying alive and lying through your teeth from the critically-acclaimed Multi Offie-Nominated team behind Flashbang (2022/24), Lately (2021/23), AAAAA (2021) & At Last (2019) which will open the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September.

The Shatter Box is directed by Lion & Unicorn Theatre Artistic Director David Brady. Casting will be announced shortly.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Contains strong language, adult themes, and discussions & depictions of violence and torture which some might find distressing.

PRAISE FOR PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

PRAISE FOR “FLASHBANG” [2022/24] – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & TOUR
2 x OFFIE NOMINATION **PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLE** / **SOUND DESIGN**

★★★★★ - “...a piece of such raw, masculine, emotional piece of theatre...Proforca delivered a fun, real love song dedicated to the modern British male & the concept of bromance..It's an absolute stunner of fringe productions in 2022 for me!" - West End Evenings

★★★★★ - “James Lewis’s luminous script is an affable, affectionate ode to lad hood & the working class” - Lost in Theatre-land

★★★★★ - “Proforca has taken the beauty of normality and shone an unlikely spotlight on it. It is poetry, pain, pleasure & a pure joy to behold" - MyTheatreMates

★★★★ - "…truly engages the audience with good writing, and amazing acting. Proforca Theatre is able to bring a dramatic twist while fully celebrating the charm of small-town life-long friendships…” - Always Time For Theatre

★★★★ - “..full of the usual Proforca magic; wonderful writing alongside expertly delivered performances…an emotional examination of how young men deal with unexpected grief" Everything Theatre

★★★★ - "Very few theatre companies bring the real alive on stage. Proforca is one of them. They are able to dramatise ordinary life using ordinary people, creating brave, vivid theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ - “A searing but beautifully written play about the importance of friendship that feels incredibly realistic thanks to a superb cast” - Theatre Weekly

★★★★ - "An authentic exploration of growing up as a guy in a small town with your best friends. It is truthful, visceral and packed with talent and potential.” - Longstaff Reviews

★★★★ – “a piece that is resplendently energetic and poignant” – London Pub Theatres

PRAISE FOR “LATELY” [2021/23] – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & TOUR
OFFIE NOMINATION **BEST NEW PLAY** [2021] – JAMES LEWIS
STANDING OVATION NOMINATION – FRED WARDALE

★★★★★ “The play has more than earned its ‘Offie’ nomination” - Breaking the Fourth Wall

★★★★ “It’s a tough show full of tough themes, but it has a heart as big as the moon over Thailand” View from the Cheap Seat

★★★★ “Lately is beautiful moving storytelling. It’s real life. It’s excellent theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ “The beautiful lyrical script was a pleasure to hear. The work is cleverly circular with a lot of ground covered in between” - London Pub Theatres

★★★★ “A beautiful and personal drama, Lately’s themes of wanting to escape both physically and mentally from your life are relatable of so many levels” - Everything Theatre

★★★★ “This is such an exquisite and sensitively written play I would happily have spent another evening in its company - View From the Outside

★★★★ “When given such extremely fine treatment as it is here, this thoughtful and moving play certainly demands to be seen.” - London Living Large

FIND OUT MORE

For more information about Proforca Theatre Company visit our website which is www.proforca.co.uk or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre | #ProforcaShatterBox.

-ENDS-

Flashbang [2024] - Casting Announcement

Meet the Ryans! Join us and our brand new cast as we welcome back the return of our critically-acclaimed cast of FLASHBANG for a brand new three-week headline run at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this Spring.

An exuberant, explosive and gut-punching rollercoaster ride through the ties that bind five best mates together and what happens to those friends when that world is blown apart, “Flashbang” was described by Everything Theatre as being “..full of the usual Proforca magic; wonderful writing alongside expertly delivered performances…an emotional examination of how young men deal with unexpected grief"

Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Flashbang returns to the theatre, following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour), the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA] (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry) the Offie-Nominated “Lately” (Sept 2022) and 2023’s “The Shatter Box” (nominated for “Best Director” for David Brady at this year’s London Pub Theatre Awards.

Playing the roles of Ryan, Jason, Andy & Deano will be Nick Hardie, Benjamin Booth Bennett, Matt Wake & Fred Wardale.

Nick Hardie (Ryan / Ryan) is an actor based in London, who trained at Mountview and who’s previous work includes Romeo in “Romeo & Juliet” (East London Shakespeare Festival), “Witness for the Prosecution” (County Hall) “The Shatter Box” & “The End of The Year Show” for Proforca Theatre Company.

Benjamin Booth-Bennett (Ryan/Jason) is an actor based in London currently training at The London Meisner Company. He began his training at Sylvia Young Theatre school and since then has worked on various film projects, including the multi-award winning ‘The Immunda Experiment’ and ‘The Last Day’ for Sky Arts. Flashbang is Benjamin’s London professional stage debut.

Matt Wake (Ryan / Andy) graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2021 and his recent credits include Callum in “Lately” (Proforca Theatre), ‘The Players of Dieudone’ (Hideout Theatre), and ‘The Last Laugh’ (Take Note Theatre). Most recently, Matt played Romeo in the Young Shakespeare Company's tour of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and appears in the forthcoming film “Melodrive.”

Fred Wardale (Ryan / Deano) is an actor and writer from the East Midlands. Since graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2021, Fred has worked on various short films and voiceover projects. For Proforca Theatre Company Fred’s previous roles include “Callum” in “Lately” (2021/2023) and originated the role of “Deano” in last year’s original cast of “Flashbang”.

In addition, returning to the role of “Mikey” in Flashbang is Dan Nash. Dan is an actor from Birmingham who originated the role of “Mikey” in the original production of “Flashbang” with previous credits including a South England tour of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’,  Proforça Theatre Company’s very own ‘48’ (2023) and ‘AAAAA’ (2021) and Jermyn Street Theatre’s ‘The Sonnet Project’. In addition, the production also features the voice of Proforca Theatre Company’s Lauren Ferdinand, who was last featured in “Lately”. (2021/23) , “More Feel”, Volcano (2022) “48” and “The End of The Year Show” (2023)

”Flashbang” is directed by David Brady, Artistic Director of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town with movement direction by Lucy Glassbrook. Casting for this year’s production of Flashbang was supported by Grace Gjersten of Moon Loaf Productions and Olivia Thompson of Free The Peacock Theatre Company. Casting Announcement Photography is by Ross Kernahan.

“Flashbang” headlines Spring / Summer Season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town from Feb 20th - March 9th at 7.30pm. For more information and tickets visit www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LandUTheatre.

Proforca Theatre Company is a theatre company based in London. Proforca is also the managing company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. For more information about the company and Lately visit our website: www.proforca.co.uk or on social media @proforcatheatre.

The Shatter Box [2023] - Cast Announcement

PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY ANNOUNCES THE CAST FOR “THE SHATTER BOX” [2023]

The Shatter Box is a rollercoaster dystopian cat-and-mouse tango of interrogation, confession, staying alive and lying through your teeth from the critically-acclaimed Offie-Nominated team behind Flashbang (2022), Lately (2021), AAAAA (2021) & At Last (2019) which will open the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September.

Joining the cast are Lion & Unicorn Theatre Associate Artists Kieran Dee (TIFO/Feel More) as KNIGHT and Dodie Finamore (Something is Happening / Volcano) as RAENA with returning Proforca Theatre Company Alumni Melissa Phillips (Feel More / At Last) as KING, and we are thrilled to welcome Nick Hardie as CASTLE and Alex O’Donnell as BISHOP to the company for their debut performances.

The Shatter Box is written by James Lewis with dramaturgy by Georgie Bailey and is directed by Lion & Unicorn and Proforca Theatre Company Artistic Director David Brady. Further Creative announcements will be made shortly.

The Shatter Box is performed Sept 5-16 at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, with tickets on sale now. (Special preview offer £10 tickets with discount code SHATTERBOX10 at checkout till Sept 1

Link to Tickets: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/the-shatter-box

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FIND OUT MORE

Proforca Theatre Company is an award nominated, critically acclaimed theatre company based in London. For more information follow us on Social Media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook & Threads @proforcatheatre or visit the L&U social media @LandUTheatre.

Announcing The Shatterbox [Sept 2023]

CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED, OFFIE-NOMINATED PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY OPEN A BRAND-NEW SEASON OF WORK AT THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE WITH “THE SHATTER BOX”

PRESS ENQUIRIES: | HELLO@PROFORCA.CO.UK  

ABOUT THE SHATTERBOX

Noun. shatterbox (plural shatterboxes) A device for mechanically pulverizing a sample of material, used by scientists.

A man wakes up confined to a cage in a clandestine facility.
The cage will only open when he tells the truth.
The only thing that will save his life is a desperate act of compliance.

A woman is assigned to a cage in a clandestine facility.
The cage will only open when she uncovers the truth.
The only thing that will save her life is the ultimate act of defiance.

The only other problem is that neither of them knows quite what the truth is, and neither of them knows quite how far each of them will go to discover it before time runs out…

The Shatter Box is a rollercoaster dystopian cat-and-mouse tango of interrogation, confession, staying alive and lying through your teeth from the critically-acclaimed Offie-Nominated team behind Flashbang (2022), Lately (2021), AAAAA (2021) & At Last (2019) which will open the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September. Full casting to be announced shortly.

CONTENT ADVISORY:
Contains strong language, adult themes, and discussions & depictions of violence and torture which some might find distressing.

PRAISE FOR PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

PRAISE FOR “FLASHBANG” [2022] – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & TOUR

★★★★★ - “...a piece of such raw, masculine, emotional piece of theatre...Proforca delivered a fun, real love song dedicated to the modern British male & the concept of bromance..It's an absolute stunner of fringe productions in 2022 for me!" - West End Evenings

★★★★★ - “James Lewis’s luminous script is an affable, affectionate ode to lad hood & the working class” - Lost in Theatre-land

★★★★★ - “Proforca has taken the beauty of normality and shone an unlikely spotlight on it. It is poetry, pain, pleasure & a pure joy to behold" - MyTheatreMates

★★★★ - "…truly engages the audience with good writing, and amazing acting. Proforca Theatre is able to bring a dramatic twist while fully celebrating the charm of small-town life-long friendships…” - Always Time For Theatre

★★★★ - “..full of the usual Proforca magic; wonderful writing alongside expertly delivered performances…an emotional examination of how young men deal with unexpected grief" Everything Theatre

★★★★ - "Very few theatre companies bring the real alive on stage. Proforca is one of them. They are able to dramatise ordinary life using ordinary people, creating brave, vivid theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ - “A searing but beautifully written play about the importance of friendship that feels incredibly realistic thanks to a superb cast” - Theatre Weekly

★★★★ - "An authentic exploration of growing up as a guy in a small town with your best friends. It is truthful, visceral and packed with talent and potential.” - Longstaff Reviews

★★★★ – “a piece that is resplendently energetic and poignant” – London Pub Theatres

PRAISE FOR “LATELY” [2021/23] – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & TOUR

OFFIE NOMINATION **BEST NEW PLAY** [2021] – JAMES LEWIS
STANDING OVATION NOMINATION – FRED WARDALE

★★★★★ “The play has more than earned its ‘Offie’ nomination” - Breaking the Fourth Wall

★★★★ “It’s a tough show full of tough themes, but it has a heart as big as the moon over Thailand” View from the Cheap Seat

★★★★ “Lately is beautiful moving storytelling. It’s real life. It’s excellent theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ “The beautiful lyrical script was a pleasure to hear. The work is cleverly circular with a lot of ground covered in between” - London Pub Theatres

★★★★ “A beautiful and personal drama, Lately’s themes of wanting to escape both physically and mentally from your life are relatable of so many levels” - Everything Theatre

★★★★ “This is such an exquisite and sensitively written play I would happily have spent another evening in its company - View From the Outside

★★★★ “When given such extremely fine treatment as it is here, this thoughtful and moving play certainly demands to be seen.” - London Living Large

FIND OUT MORE

For more information about Proforca Theatre Company visit our website which is www.proforca.co.uk or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre | #ProforcaShatterBox.

#Proforca48 - Cast Announcement

#Proforca48 - An exciting brand new adventure.
Devised and Performed by the Company in only 48 hours.

Join us for an exciting brand new adventure to kick off Summer 2023 as we race against time to create a brand new, full length piece of fringe theatre in just 48 hours. 

Joining the cast of Proforca48 we are delighted to welcome back returning Proforca Theatre Company alumni Dan Nash, Kirsty Cherrett, Jimin Suh, Colin Hubbard, Lauren Ferdinand, Sarah Rickman, Will Meadows, Nick Hyde & Nance Turner with additional cast members to join the production shortly.

Devised and created by an award-nominated team which includes the cast alongside writers Jack Albert Cook, Emma Burnell, the show is directed by Proforca Theatre Company Artistic Director David Brady.

48 is a performed for two performances only on Monday 29th and Tuesday 30th May and kicks off the summer season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre at 7.30pm Tickets are on Sale now (Link Below). 

https://app.lineupnow.com/event/forty-eight

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Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town. You can find out more about #Proforca48, the company and our work by following us on social media @proforcatheatre and by visiting our website at www.proforca.co.uk. You can also follow the Lion & Unicorn Theatre @landutheatre on Social Media and by visiting the website at www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com 

Announcing #Proforca48 - A Brand New Adventure

#Proforca48 - An exciting brand new adventure.
Devised and Performed by the Company in only 48 hours.

Join us for an exciting brand new adventure to kick off Summer 2023 as we race against time to create a brand new, full length piece of fringe theatre in just 48 hours. 

We love a challenge, we do, so what better way to kick off a year of brand new creative projects than by gathering some of our favourite people at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre for one  whopping, bonkers adventure. With the theatre booked and performances planned for Monday 29th & Tuesday 30th May 2023, we plan to create a WHOLE ONE HOUR SHOW with a full cast which is performance-ready in just ONE WEEKEND.

All we know so far is that we’re going into the rehearsal room just two days ahead of opening night with just a couple of ideas, a blank black box space and whatever set, props and costumes we can cobble together from the archives, friends, relatives and the world at large with the aim of creating a joyful, messy and imaginative adventure in time and space which is as big as our imaginations can make. 

It might be terrible, it might also be the best thing we’ve ever done. We guess we’re about to find out…

Cast & Creatives Announced Soon and Tickets are on Sale now (Link Below). 

https://app.lineupnow.com/event/forty-eight

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Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town. You can find out more about #Proforca48, the company and our work by following us on social media @proforcatheatre and by visiting our website at www.proforca.co.uk. You can also follow the Lion & Unicorn Theatre @landutheatre on Social Media and by visiting the website at www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com 

Feel More [2023] - Cast Announcement

We are delighted to announce the cast of Feel More [2023].

Kalifa Taylor - HOPE
Kalifa Taylor trained at LAMDA. Previous credits include; Caitlin Pryor, Look Who’s All Grown Up, Ella Murdoch, The Space Theatre. A, Selected Recordings of Us, Gabriele Uboldi, The Space Theatre. Chicago, Money Heist: The Experience, Ben Lambert. Dr Keane, Tomb King, The League of Adventure. Anne, The Gunpowder Plot Immersive, Hannah Price, Rose Jones and Megan Stewart, Tower Vaults. First Player, Hamlet, Ricky Dukes, Lazarus Theatre, Southwark Playhouse & Out The Shell (Pistachio Theatre, Lion & Unicorn Theatre)

Henry Brackenridge - EUAN
Henry is a London based actor who graduated from Italia Conti. Since graduating he has starred in 3 music videos for the band "Passenger” and the Guy Fawkes Immersive Experience. For Proforca Theatre Company - Henry performed in 'AAAAA' [FiveA] in 2020 and originated the role of Ryan / Andy in “Flashbang” [2022]. Previous work while in training at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre includes "Almost Maine" [2019] (Edinburgh Fringe) & Henry recently finished filming on short film 'Mother of the Year' which will begin going around festivals shortly.

Henry is an Associate Artist of Proforca Theatre Company.

Sarah Rickman - MARGIE

Sarah is an actor from London and can currently be seen in “Mrs Harris Goes to Paris” starring Leslie Manville and directed by Tony Fabian. She has performed at Theatre503, The Oval House, The Royal Court and previously at the Lion & Unicorn; and has been directed by amongst others, Katie Mitchell, Dexter Fletcher, Or Benezra-Segal and Lotte-Ruth Johnson. She is very excited to be part of the “Feel More” Family.

Kieran Dee - ANDY

Kieran is an award winning writer and actor. He learned stagecraft at The Young Actors Company before becoming a core member of The Craft Ensemble. He is a founding member of MoonLoaf Theatre, currently associate artists of The Lion and Unicorn Theatre. His work with MoonLoaf includes writing and performing in award winning shows Hematoma and TIFO. Signed with Julie Fox Associates he continues to work in a wide range of roles for theatre and film.

For Proforca Theatre Company Kieran originated the role of “Andy” in By Your Side as part of Chewfest [2022] and Feel More [2023]. In his directing work Kieran has taken on a range of challenges. Most recently he took charge of the very well received one woman show ‘Lucinda Spragg: An Evening With’. He has also directed for the international theatre company Alter Ego Creative Solutions’

ABOUT FEEL MORE

Imagine someone else's life, just for a moment. A city that never sleeps, and 4 more stories of looking back, looking down, looking on and looking to the future.

Proforça Theatre Company presents "Feel More [2023]" An evening of four new pieces of writing from James Lewis & Georgie Bailey, directed by Jess Barton from the universe of our main production of "Feel". Four new characters living their lives in the modern world we live in. Four new stories about love. loss and letting go. Four out of 9.3 million, just for a moment.

Feel More [2023] is written by James Lewis & Georgie Bailey and directed by Jess Barton. The show is performed at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre from Feb 21-25th. Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com or on social media @proforcatheatre

Lately [2023] - Cast Announcement

In the first of our casting announcements for our 2023 Double Bill of “Feel More X Lately” at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre we are delighted to announce casting for our Offie-Nominated Production of Lately [2023]

Returning to perform “Callum” & “Alison” having originated the roles as part of the original production in 2021 are Proforca Theatre Company Associate Artists Fred Wardale (Cal) & Lauren Ferdinand (Alf).

FRED WARDALE is an actor from the East Midlands who graduated from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Previous work with the company includes originating the role of Deano in the critically-acclaimed ‘Flashbang [2023]’ and the original, Offie-nominated run of ‘Lately’. Fred has worked on various short films and voiceover projects. He is also a writer, regularly creating his own material, with his first play currently in the works.

LAUREN FERDINAND trained at Rose Bruford & The National Youth Theatre. Previous work includes originating the role of Alf in “Lately” [2021] (Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Albany Theatre, UK Tour 2023). Previous Theatre credits include “Alex” in “Before Feel” [2022], (Lion & Unicorn Theatre), Best Served Cold (Leicester Curve), ‘White Millionaire Emmas”, “Ghosts & “Cleansed” as well as “Sophie” in “Volcano” (2022) & Shanice in “Flashbang” (2022")

LATELY was Offie- nominated (with its original cast) for “Best New Play” in 2021 and returns to the Lion & Unicorn Theatre as part of a special celebratory double-bill with a new iteration of Proforca Theatre Company’s FEEL MORE for 2023. The show is written by James Lewis & Directed by David Brady, and Feel More [2023] is written by James Lewis & Georgie Bailey and directed by Jess Barton. Lately will then embark on a limited tour in Spring 2023 with venues to be advised shortly. Casting for Feel More will be announced in January.

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Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town. You can purchase tickets for “Lately X Feel More [2023]” as part of the “From the City to the Sea” double bill from Feb 21 - 25 (No public performance Feb 25th). For more information and tickets visit the Lion & Unicorn Theatre Website, or via our social media @proforcatheatre or @landutheatre.

From the City to the Sea - "Feel More" x "Lately" - Feb 2023

From the City to the Sea, Proforca Theatre Company presents a celebration of old friends, award nominated theatre and brand new adventures in a special double bill of shows announced for February 2023 at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre as we welcome back the award-nominated “Feel More “ and the return of our Offie-Nominated (offwestend.com) production of “Lately” which was nominated for “Best New Play” in 2021. Find out more right here!

FEEL MORE [2023]

We are delighted to announce the return of our critically acclaimed production of "Feel More" for a brand new run of performances for the first time since 2020, written by Georgie Bailey & James Lewis, directed by Jess Barton with David Brady.

Imagine someone else's life, just for a moment. A city that never sleeps, and 4 more stories of looking back, looking down and looking to the future.

Proforça Theatre Company presents "Feel More (2023)" , A evening of four new pieces of writing from the universe of our main production of "Feel". Four new characters living their lives in the modern world we live in. Four new stories about love. loss and letting go. Four out of 9.3 million, just for a moment.

Because sometimes, to follow your heart you have to close your eyes, take a deep breath and be braver than you've ever been before...

PRAISE FOR FEEL MORE

OFFCOMM NOMINATION [OFFWESTEND.COM] - FEEL MORE 2020 

★★★★★ - “What could so easily be just two short monologues on the drudgery of London living, of feeling lost and alone in a crowded city, are instead two pieces of wonderful writing and performances. These are themes that writer James Lewis does so well, taking the mundane and bringing them to wonderful multi-coloured life.” - Everything Theatre [Before Feel / BYS 2022] 
★★★★ - “If you haven’t been introduced to the Feel universe yet, this is a great primer. A wander through what it means to love and be loved in all the ways we think of that concept.” - View from the Cheap Seat
★★★★ - "a production chock-full of elegant simplicity and is a truly stylish delight.” The Review Chap
★★★★ - “A challenging production for any director to bring together. Jess Barton deserves to be very proud of this achievement” Theatre & Arts Reviews (Elaine Chapman)

LATELY

“The Monster Always Wins, Right?”

Cal & Alf. Callum & Alison. They were supposed to be part of each other’s lives forever, if only the universe had let things happen the way they should. 

But whoever they were before, they’re different people now, and the problem with living here is that is always pulls you back again, no matter how hard you try to get away. 

And the universe that sent them spinning into free-fall throws them together again when the girl who ran away comes back to find out what happened to the boy who didn’t want to leave.

And the question that the universe needs to answer most of all now is - Whatever happens to those bits of us we leave behind and thought we’d lost forever? 

Proforca Theatre Company presents the return of the Offie-Nominated “Lately” by James Lewis, directed by David Brady, which made its debut at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in September 2021, an intimate, emotional story about the places we can never escape from, the dreams we never realise and the people that bring us back down to earth again.  

PRAISE FOR LATELY

OFFIE NOMINATION (OFFWESTEND.COM) - BEST NEW PLAY [2021]

★★★★ “It’s a tough show full of tough themes, but it has a heart as big as the moon over Thailand” View from the Cheap Seat
★★★★ “Lately is beautiful moving storytelling. It’s real life. It’s excellent theatre” - London Theatre Reviews
★★★★ “The beautiful lyrical script was a pleasure to hear. The work is cleverly circular with a lot of ground covered in between” - London Pub Theatres
★★★★ “A beautiful and personal drama, Lately’s themes of wanting to escape both physically and mentally from your life are relatable of so many levels” - Everything Theatre
★★★★ “This is such an exquisite and sensitively written play I would happily have spent another evening in its company - View From the Outside
★★★★ “When given such extremely fine treatment as it is here, this thoughtful and moving play certainly demands to be seen.” - London Living Large

“Writing, direction & performances of the highest quality, with a story thats infinitely relatable.” - Theatre Things

ABOUT PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Feel More [2023] and Lately following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour) and the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA]” (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry) and “Flashbang” (2022).

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FROM THE CITY TO THE SEA

“From the City to the Sea” is performed at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre from Tues Feb 21 - Sat Feb 25th (no public performance Fri 24th) - With tickets on sale now. Casting will be announced for both shows in our double bill shortly. For more information visit www.proforca.co.uk or www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com

Flashbang - Extension Announced!

We are delighted to announce that our critically acclaimed production of Flashbang will be extended at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre for an additional run from Tuesday October 11th to Saturday 15th October with an additional show to kick off the run at the Albany Theatre Coventry.

Flashbang is the story of five best mates, a town 20 miles from anywhere where nothing ever happens and a night where their whole world is blown apart.

We’re thrilled to be able to bring the show back for this special run not only at the place the show was born but in the city that inspired the show and the people that made it.

Tickets are on sale now for all shows from the Lion & Unicorn Theatre (www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com) and Albany Theatre Box Offices.

PRAISE FOR FLASHBANG

★★★★★ - ““...a piece of such raw, masculine, emotional piece of theatre...Proforca delivered a fun, real love song dedicated to the modern British male & the concept of bromance..It's an absolute stunner of fringe productions in 2022 for me!"” - West End Evenings

★★★★★ - “James Lewis’s luminous script is an affable, affectionate ode to lad hood & the working class” - Lost in Theatre-land

★★★★★ - “Proforca has taken the beauty of normality and shone an unlikely spotlight on it. It is poetry, pain, pleasure & a pure joy to behold" - MyTheatreMates

★★★★ - "…truly engages the audience with good writing, and amazing acting. Proforca Theatre is able to bring a dramatic twist while fully celebrating the charm of small-town life-long friendships…” - Always Time For Theatre

★★★★ - “..full of the usual Proforca magic; wonderful writing alongside expertly delivered performances…an emotional examination of how young men deal with unexpected grief" Everything Theatre

★★★★ - "resplendently energetic and poignant- London Pub Theatres

★★★★ - "Very few theatre companies bring the real alive on stage. Proforca is one of them. They are able to dramatise ordinary life using ordinary people, creating brave, vivid theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ - “A searing but beautifully written play about the importance of friendship that feels incredibly realistic thanks to a superb cast” - Theatre Weekly

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Proforca Theatre Company is the managing theatre company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Flashbang is written by James Lewis and Directed by David Brady and features Sam Kacher, Fred Wardale, Emmanuel Olusanya & Henry Brackenridge. For more information visit www.proforca.co.uk or follow us on your favourite social media platform @proforcatheatre #Flashbang.

Flashbang - Casting Announcement

We are delighted to announce the cast of our 2022 production of Flashbang by James Lewis.

An exuberant, explosive and gut-punching rollercoaster ride through the ties that bind five best mates together and what happens to those friends when that world is blown apart., “Flashbang” opens the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September.

Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Flashbang is a brand new piece of work for the company, following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour), the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA] (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry) and the Offie-Nominated “Lately” (Sept 2022)

Playing the roles of Ryan, Jason, Andy & Deano will be Sam Kacher, Emmanuel Olusanya, Henry Brackenridge & Fred Wardale.

Sam Kacher is an Actor, based in London & originally from Bristol. He trained at ALRA. His credits include Rise Up (Theatre Centre), Dea (Sutton Theatre), Crimewatch (BBC) & Accountable (Grey Circle Films). 

Emmanuel Olusanya is a recent graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in 2021. He also is a rapper and songwriter, having released his debut single, ‘Runnin’ in May 2022 and working on his upcoming debut EP.. Theatre Includes: Elegies for Angels, Punks & Raging Queens (King’s Head Theatre), Antigone (LAMDA), Three Days In The Country (LAMDA), The Tempest (LAMDA), Hospital Food (NT Connections), High Torches (Birdie Theatre Company) and The King & The Trumpet (Vault Festival). Film Includes: MOLE, (Yonic Produtions Ltd), Bolt From The Blue (OffGrid Films)

Henry Brackenridge is a London based actor who graduated from Italia Conti. Since graduating he has starred in 3 music videos for the band "Passenger" as well as in 'AAAAA' with Proforca Theatre Company. He is delighted to be returning in 'Flashbang'. Previous work while in training at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre includes "Almost Maine" [2019] (Edinburgh Fringe)

Fred Wardale is an actor and writer from the East Midlands. Since graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2021, Fred has worked on various short films and voiceover projects. This is Fred’s second outing with Proforca, having played Callum in Offie-nominated play ‘Lately’ last year.'

Flashbang is directed by David Brady, Artistic Director of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town with Additional Creatives to be announced shortly. Casting for Flashbang was supported by Casting Director Suzy Catliff and Proforca Theatre Company Associate Artists Erin Read (Proforca Theatre Company), Lucy Betts & Georgie Bailey (ChewBoy Productions).

Flashbang opens the Autumn / Winter Season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town from Sept 6th - 17th 2022 at 7.30pm. For more information and tickets visit www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LandUTheatre.

Proforca Theatre Company is a theatre company based in London. Proforca Theatre Company is also the managing company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. For more information about the company and Lately visit our website: www.proforca.co.uk or on social media @proforcatheatre.

Proforca Theatre Company Announces Flashbang - Sept 2022

CRITICALLY-ACCLAIMED, OFFIE-NOMINATED PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY OPEN A BRAND-NEW SEASON OF WORK AT THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE WITH “FLASHBANG”

ABOUT FLASHBANG

noun: flashbang

1. a grenade that produces a bright flash and a loud noise so as to stun or disorient people without causing serious injury; a stun grenade.

Ryan and his gang were going to be mates forever.

Living their lives in the same cycle as everyone else in a little town 20 miles from anywhere that mattered.

Living for the next night out. Living for the weekend.

Getting into and out of trouble. Work. Pub. Sleep. Repeat.

Ryan and his gang have seen it all, done it all, lived it all. The nights they wished they could remember and the mornings after they’d rather forget.

Ryan and his gang were going to be mates forever.

But then came the night when everything changed.

Proforça Theatre Company returns with “Flashbang” – an exuberant, explosive and gut-punching rollercoaster ride through the ties that bind five best mates together, a world that revolves around a town where nothing ever happens, and what happens to those friends when that world gets blown apart.

Flashbang is written by James Lewis and Directed by Lion & Unicorn Theatre Artistic Director David Brady and brought to you by the critically-acclaimed team that brought you “At Last” [2019]. “Feel” [2018 / 19] and the Offie-Nominated "Lately" [2021]. Cast and additional creatives will be announced shortly.

CONTENT ADVISORY: Flashbang contains very strong language, loud noises, adult themes, drugs references and references to mental health & bereavement.

PRAISE FOR PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

PRAISE FOR “LATELY” [2022] – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & TOUR.

OFFIE NOMINATION **BEST NEW PLAY** [2021] – JAMES LEWIS

★★★★ “It’s a tough show full of tough themes, but it has a heart as big as the moon over Thailand” View from the Cheap Seat

★★★★ “Lately is beautiful moving storytelling. It’s real life. It’s excellent theatre” - London Theatre Reviews

★★★★ “The beautiful lyrical script was a pleasure to hear. The work is cleverly circular with a lot of ground covered in between” - London Pub Theatres

★★★★ “A beautiful and personal drama, Lately’s themes of wanting to escape both physically and mentally from your life are relatable of so many levels” - Everything Theatre

★★★★ “This is such an exquisite and sensitively written play I would happily have spent another evening in its company - View From the Outside

★★★★ “When given such extremely fine treatment as it is here, this thoughtful and moving play certainly demands to be seen.” - London Living Large

PRAISE FOR “AAAAA[FIVEA]” (2021) – LION & UNICORN THEATRE

Standing Ovation Nomination (London Pub Theatres)

★★★★★ “A tour-de-force performance by Daniel Rainford in an unfolding mystery with nods to love, paper aeroplanes and a classic line about seagulls.” – London Pub Theatres

★★★★ “With a beautifully realised stage alongside such powerful acting, AAAAA restores and revitalises my love for theatre” (A Younger Theatre)

PRAISE FOR “AT LAST” (2019) – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY

Standing Ovation Nomination (London Pub Theatres)

OffComm Nomination (OffWestEnd.com) | Top Ten New Plays (London Theatre Reviews)

★★★★★ - "…a stunning piece. Seek this out, find it, watch it, and don’t stop thinking about it" - Everything Theatre

★★★★★ - "At Last is a powerfully moving play. It is also a terrifying parable for the age we live in." - View from the Cheap Seat

★★★★★ - "Directed with incredible pace, precision and heart-breaking realism…At Last is played by a company at the top of their game" - The Review Chap

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FIND OUT MORE

Flashbang is performed at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town from Sept 6th - 17th (7.30pm).
For more information about Proforca Theatre Company visit our website which is www.proforca.co.uk or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre | #Flashbang.

Volcano (2022) - Casting Announcement

We are delighted to announce that JAMIE O’NEILL will originate the role of MAX in VOLCANO (2022).

Jamie is an actor from London, he trained at The Poor School.

Recent credits include: Drew Worth in Doctors (BBC) King Herod in Salomé, (Southwark Play House & Greenwich Theatre), Miles Owen in Oceans Playbook (Pumpkin Monkey Pictures), A Very Short Interval (Push Me Productions) - (The Lion & Unicorn Theatre) and additional other roles for Lazarus Theatre Company (Greenwich Theatre & The Tristan Bates Theatre)

This is Jamie’s first Production for Proforca Theatre Company & we’re delighted that he will originate the role of “Max” in “Volcano”.

SPOTLIGHT: spotlight.com/interactive/cv/5814-1275-7071.

One Man, One City, One Night to remember.

VOLCANO is a brand new show from critically acclaimed, Offie Nominated PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY written by GEORGIE BAILEY & JAMES LEWIS and Directed by DAVID BRADY. It receives it’s premiere at the LION & UNICORN THEATRE in Kentish Town from MARCH 8TH - 12TH 2022. Further casting and creative announcements will be made shortly.

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PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY is a theatre company based in London & is the Managing Theatre Company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town. For more information about the company follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre and visit our website at www.proforca.co.uk

Tickets for Volcano are on sale now from:
https://app.lineupnow.com/event/volcano-proforca-theatre-company

Lately - Casting Announcement

We are delighted to announce the cast of our 2021 production of Lately by James Lewis.

An intimate, emotional story about the places we can never escape from, the dreams we never realise and the people that bring us back down to earth again, “Lately” opens the Autumn / Winter season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this September.

Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Lately is a brand new piece of work for the company, following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour) and the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA] (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry). 

Playing the roles of Cal and Alf will be Lauren Ferdinand, Gabrielle Nellis-Pain, Matt Wake and Fred Wardale. Two casts will alternate the roles at each performance.

Lauren Ferdinand trained at Rose Bruford and the National Youth Theatre. Since graduating, she has worked mainly in screen projects, most recently playing Lauren David in the pilot episode for Out of Bounds. But since recently moving to London, she’s excited to get involved in the theatre scene.
Previous theatre credits include, Best Served Cold (Leicester Curve), White Millionaire Emmas, Ghosts and Cleansed.

Gabrielle Nellis-Pain is a London based actor and voiceover artist with training from RADA and The Actors Class who is delighted to return to Proforca having previously performed as Naomi in Feel (UK Tour) Theatre credits include: Jekyll & Hyde (Arrows & Traps UK tour); The Unspoken Project (Soho Theatre); Captured (UK tour); The Iconoclasts (UK tour); You & I (York Theatre Royal); Neighbourhood Watch (VAULT Festival); The Comedy of Errors (UK tour); Measure for Measure , The Forum, and 13 (Rada)

Matt Wake is a recent graduate of the Guildford School of Acting. His credits in training include “Macduff” in Macbeth, “Reverend Hale” in The Crucible, and “Charles Kean” in Red Velvet. He is also a singer, musician and writer. He is part of a new theatre group working on original comedies. This is Matt’s professional debut.

Fred Wardale is an actor and writer from the East Midlands. He trained at The Television Workshop in Nottingham before joining the acting course at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, graduating in 2021. Roles during his training include Orsino in 'Twelfth Night', Dr Frankenstein in 'The Bride of Frankenstein' and James Ekdal in 'The Wild Duck'. This is Fred’s professional theatre debut.

Lately is directed by David Brady, Artistic Director of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town with Associate Directors Lucy Glassbrook & Jess Barton. Casting for Lately was supported by Casting Director Suzy Catliff and Proforca Theatre Company Associate Artist Kirsty Cherrett.

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Lately opens the Autumn / Winter Season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town from Sept 7th - 18th 2021 at 7.30pm (Sat Matinees 2.30pm). For more information and tickets visit www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LandUTheatre.

Proforca Theatre Company is a theatre company based in London. Proforca Theatre Company is also the managing company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. For more information about the company and Lately visit our website: www.proforca.co.uk or on social media @proforcatheatre.

Proforca Theatre Company Announces "Lately" (Sept 2021)

 WRITTEN BY: JAMES LEWIS
 DIRECTED BY: DAVID BRADY
TUES 7TH – SAT 18TH SEPT 2021 | 7.30PM [SAT MATINEE 2.30PM]
THE LION & UNICORN THEATRE | WWW.THELIONANDUNICORNTHEATRE.COM
PRESS NIGHT: THURSDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER 2021 | 7.30PM

Proforca Theatre Company is pleased to announce that replacing the postponed “Flashbang” in our schedule for Autumn / Winter 2021 is “Lately” by James Lewis - an intimate, emotional story about the places we can never escape from, the dreams we never realise and the people that bring us back down to earth again. 

ABOUT LATELY

 “You’ve never been on your own, you always just thought you were…”

Cal & Alf. Callum & Alison. They were supposed to be part of each other’s lives forever, if only the universe had let things happen the way they should. 

But whoever they were before, they’re different people now, and the problem with living here is that it always pulls you back again, no matter how hard you try to get away.

And the universe that sent them spinning into free-fall throws them together again when the girl who ran away comes back to find out what happened to the boy who didn’t want to leave. 

And the question that the universe needs to answer most of all now is - Whatever happens to those bits of us we leave behind and thought we’d lost forever?

Proforca Theatre Company presents “Lately” by James Lewis, directed by David Brady, which makes its debut at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in September 2021, an intimate, emotional story about the places we can never escape from, the dreams we never realise and the people that bring us back down to earth again. 

Proforca is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Lately is a brand new piece of work for the company, following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour) and the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA] (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry). 

CONTENT ADVISORY: Contains very strong language, adult themes and discussions of suicide. 

CAST & CREATIVES: The cast will alternate at each performance. Please check listings for cast appearances (Cast & further production team TBA)

PRAISE FOR PROFORCA THEATRE COMPANY

PRAISE FOR “AAAAA [FIVEA]” (2021) – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY

Standing Ovation Nomination (London Pub Theatres)
★★★★★ “A tour-de-force performance by Daniel Rainford in an unfolding mystery with nods to love, paper aeroplanes and a classic line about seagulls.” – London Pub Theatres
★★★★ “A sharp and intriguing journey exploring another component into what makes us human – Theatre & Art Reviews (Elaine Chapman)
★★★★ “With a beautifully realised stage alongside such powerful acting, AAAAA restores and revitalises my love for theatre” (A Younger Theatre)
★★★★ “Fits beautifully in the Proforca canon of work that explores the minutia of love, life, happiness and emotion… God we’ve missed you!” (View from the Cheap Seat)

PRAISE FOR “AT LAST” (2019) – LION & UNICORN THEATRE & ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY

Standing Ovation Nomination (London Pub Theatres)
OffComm Nomination (OffWestEnd.com)
Top Ten New Plays (London Theatre Reviews)
★★★★★ - "…a stunning piece. Seek this out, find it, watch it, and don’t stop thinking about it" - Everything Theatre
★★★★★ - "At Last is a powerfully moving play. It is also a terrifying parable for the age we live in." - View from the Cheap Seat
★★★★★ - "Directed with incredible pace, precision and heart-breaking realism…At Last is played by a company at the top of their game" - The Review Chap

 PRAISE FOR “FEEL” (2018 / 19) – LION & UNICORN THEATRE, THE SPACE & OTHERS
★★★★★ -  "An Extraordinary evening's entertainment as it hops between being ingeniously witty and soul-wrenchingly moving" - The Spy In The Stalls
★★★★★ -  "Feel is a wonderful play about the emotional brutality of knowing that it is our imperfections that make us. I came away moved
to tears by this simple and beautiful play.” - Plays To See
★★★★★ - "James Lewis’ writing is raw and unforgiving… Feel as a play is a joy to watch. And Proforca Theatre is a company to watch too." – My Theatre Mates

FIND OUT MORE

“Lately” is performed from Tuesday 7th – Saturday 18th September 2021 and kicks off an exciting new season of work at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. Tickets for all performances available now from the theatre’s Box Office (www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com).

In keeping with our ethos of making all our shows the run of the show will commence with a special “Pay What You Feel” Performance on Tuesday 7th September. (More details on our website).

For more information about Proforca Theatre Company visit our website which is www.proforca.co.uk or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @ProforcaTheatre.

-ENDS-

THANK YOU!

For all of us 2020 and 2021 have been a time of challenge and uncertainty, but the live events industry has been particularly challenged with the financial impact of having to cancel or curtail performances as a result of lockdown and reduced audience sizes - often with plans cancelled at last minute and with little or no support from the government.

The Lion & Unicorn Theatre was supported through our closure through a number of sources, not least our fantastic landlords at Youngs Pubs and the Team at the Lion & Unicorn, but we receive no public funds and did not benefit from any government financial support. Like most fringe theatre venues, the loss of both ticket sales revenue and the cancellation of work from visiting companies presents a challenge to our ongoing survival and we continue to need to adapt to the uncertainty caused by this ever-changing situation so that we can continue the support the brilliant artists and creatives that we work with and continue to work to restore the Lion & Unicorn Theatre to it’s rightful place as a destination fringe theatre venue in London.

With the above in mind, we just wanted to take a moment to say a massive “Thank You” to the following people who supported our open Crowdfunder over the last year or so. These contributions provided much needed support to our venue and were very, very much appreciated.

OUR HUGE THANKS GO TO:
Tom Foreman, Gill Aldred, Laura Shoebottom, Luke Dayhill, Lisa Shelton, Demelza O'Sullivan, Olivia Thompson, 
Cesar Abella, Matthew Jameson, Philip Gill, Ross Kernahan, Alex Bird, Jayne Woodhouse, Tiny Theatre Company Susanne Feldthusen, Carl Fletcher, Kat Rogers, Sarah Beebe, Evelyn Simpson, Alex Britt, Chloe Thorn, Jonathan Chan, Stephen Reimer & All Those who donated but wished to remain anonymous. We really are very grateful for all your support and hope to see you soon.

If you would like to continue to support the work of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre - you can either visit our Crowdfunder at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/landutheatre OR we’d love to see you at one of our performances of “AAAAA [FiveA"] by Proforca Theatre Company which opens Tuesday May 18th.

We’ d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in our brilliant fringe theatre community that’ supported us during lockdown and beyond, in so many ways - and we look forward to welcoming you back to the theatre when we reopen for our new season this week.

Many Thanks

Proforca Theatre Company