WHO WE ARE?
NATURA CONTEMPORARY THEATRE is the theatre producing arm of the Writers’ and Directors’ Workshop . We are based in North Gloucestershire and produce professional productions only. Natura Contemporary are dedicated to producing high quality contemporary theatre in town and country locations. We work with both professional actors and semi-professional actors and musicians. Visit the link to see the professional actors we work with.
WHAT IS OUR HISTORY?
Founded in 2017, Natura Contemporary Theatre’s artistic director and resident playwright is Caroline Summerfield. We held our first meeting and workshop for writers and actors to showcase work at Parmoor House Cheltenham.
WHAT IS OUR MISSION?
To bring plays which celebrate new writing and professionalism in the theatre to audiences in Gloucestershire and its neighbouring counties.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?
If you are a professional or semi-professional actor and would like to be considered for casting for future productions please do contact us at :casummerfield@btinternet.com
We are particularly interested in hearing from experienced BAME actors.
OUR TEAM
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & RESIDENT PLAYWRIGHT : Caroline Summerfield
Caroline Summerfield originally trained as a lawyer, studied at RADA and University of Birmingham. With many produced plays, her West End debut play was Chasing Ibsen. She currently has a TV drama in development – for her detailed biography refer to the separate link on this website.
ASSISTANT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR : Amy Holley-Cribbin
Amy was born in Cheltenham. She’s a final year PhD student at Swansea University now living at home in Cheltenham. She is a specialist in adaptation theory, particularly Victorian stage adaptations of nineteenth-century novels, which is the focus of her doctorate. She completed her Master’s degree at the University of York where her dissertation was on Victorian stage adaptations of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
Forthcoming Productions:
Following the sell-out success of the premier in March 2019 of Jane Austen & The Cheltonians further productions are to be announced.
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PAST PRODUCTIONS :
The Tree Charter Tapestry 2017 Everyman Theatre Studio Cheltenham A play with music and songs by Caroline Summerfield
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The Tree Charter Tapestry by Caroline Summerfield . A play with music and songs performed in an extend version of the play. 2018 Canwood Open-Air Theatre Herefordshire
“A Modern Day Midsummers’ Night Dream”
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An Honest Politician by Caroline Summerfield – 6th Stroud Theatre Festival 14th – 16th Sept 2018
The outrageous diary of an honest politician, John Wilkes, starring actor Bill Cronshaw. Nicknamed the “King Mob” of eighteenth century England, Wilkes lies languishing in prison. Who cares that he’s attacked the government and slandered the King – surely everyone is entitled to express their opinion? Brought to life with a whole host of colourful characters, John Wilkes is determined to deliver his version of events as only a politician can, with his own political diary. ‘An Honest Politician’ was written in 2005 by the playwright Caroline Summerfield for the National Portrait Gallery’s Public Performance Season. Attracting a sell-out audience in London, John Wilkes has now travelled to Stroud for these performances and to drum-up support as only an honest politician can.
“Sheer literary brilliance”
“Bill Cronshaw has pitch-perfect comic timing”
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BY INITATION ONLY : PARMOOR HOUSE CHELTENHAM
TUESDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2018
A showcase for the industry of plays performed by professional actors :
Sky Pilots (short radio play) by Stephen Connolly
A Rose By Any Other Name (short stage play) by Lou Beckett
Dead Girl Walking (full-length stage play) by Caroline Summerfield
Q&A with the authors chaired by Caroline Summerfield (pictured below centre)
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Myself And Other Parts December 2018
Holst Museum and also at The Suffolk Anthology Bookshop
A Christmas play inspired by the film Miracle on 34th Street.
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Jane Austen & The Cheltonians March 2019
Anthology Extended Literary Festival Parmoor House Cheltenham
“Written with the very voice of Jane Austen.”
May 1816 Jane Austen and her literary muse Emma Knightley (née Woodhouse) find themselves in Cheltenham for the 100th anniversary of Cheltenham Spa. Left to fill her days, Jane Austen embarks on writing a new novel The Cheltonians. In this novel, the temptation to indulge in matchmaking again proves too great for Emma with the arrival of Eloisa Fairweather a wealthy widow and Captain Marsh a war hero from the Battle of Waterloo. Delicious complications follow with love letters going astray.
As to whether or not such a novel by Jane Austen could have existed, all that is known is that at her death, in 1817, her sister Cassandra burnt some of Jane’s manuscripts and letters. Written in the style of Jane Austen, the play Jane Austen & The Cheltonians provides a witty and timeless commentary on marriage, morals and love.
