The final bow for Coventry theatre company
After more than three decades in Coventry, Theatre Absolute will stage their last ever show at Coventry Cathedral this evening
After more than three decades in Coventry, Theatre Absolute takes its final bow this evening.
Since 1993, the theatre company has been key to Coventry's cultural sector through award-winning productions that have gone onto tour nationally and internationally, winning awards in London and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In 2009 Theatre Absolute created the UK’s first professional Shop Front Theatre in Coventry’s city centre, moving into the old Fishy Moore’s chip shop.
Over a period of 13 years, the company developed numerous multi-collaborative projects, commissioning and producing new works by writers and artists.
The Shop Front Theatre closed in 2022 due to the City Centre South regeneration project.
Chris O’Connell, artistic director and writer says: “Although we recognise we are living through turbulent times both politically and economically, the pressure of trying to sustain an independent theatre company has become harder and harder, and we’ve felt we had to acknowledge the reality of that, which means we will sadly close the company with this final new work in October.
"However we’re not going away, as artists in our own right, Julia and I won’t stop listening to the city’s communities and will continue to respond creatively through other future projects.”
Julia Negus, producer adds: “I’m proud to have been a part of such a unique Coventry company like Theatre Absolute, and it’s fitting that Chris has written ‘The Walking Man’ as our final piece.
"It will be directed by Erica Whyman who worked with Chris previously on ‘Faith’ for City of Culture in 2021. And in another wonderful full circle moment, the performer for ‘The Walking Man’ is Clare Corbett, whose very first professional role out of drama school was in our award winning Edinburgh Fringe hit ‘Raw’ in 2001!
"It’s a genuine privilege for Chris and I to stage Theatre Absolute’s last work in the New Cathedral. We hope to see some new and perhaps older, familiar faces in the audience.
"It’s going to be a very special goodbye.”
Theatre Absolute will stage their last ever production of 'The Walking Man' this evening at Coventry Cathedral.