Haywire is a company devoted to the extraordinary ordinary.
But what does that mean?
At its core, our work is entirely obsessed with character, with the human, the relatable, and the understandable behaviours that make up a piece of performance. Through everything we create we search for a means by which that art can reveal another’s experience, the simple but utterly defined truth to that individual's life. We then work with those individuals to coproduce and recreate it in our own unique way, turning what was mundane into something transformative. Often this involves embracing the weird, unorthodox habits that fuel human interaction and most importantly empowering those we work with to guide, influence and ultimately determine how their story is told. Each of us exists in our own unique rhythm, see the world in our own way, and by telling the stories that some may consider to be the “little person tales”, we hope that we can open the eyes of our audience members to new experiences, new ideas, and new ways of viewing the world.
In this, Haywire finds its own little brand of magic.
MEET THE TEAM
Lucy Haslingden
Lucy is an award winning producer, designer and creative from London, currently based in Manchester. Her experience spans everything from contemporary performance, to musical theatre, opera, political theatre, digital work and community co-production. As Haywire’s Artistic Producer she is responsible for overseeing all of our projects, company coordination and administration. When she gets a spare moment she can be found developing new writing for stage and screen.
Contact: lucy@haywiretheatre.co.uk
Artistic Producer
Liv Clarke
Liv is a newly established director, workshop facilitator and theatre-maker from North Wales. The majority of her experience surrounds working with communities to explore their stories, elevate their voices, and create socially focused theatre productions. As Haywire's Artistic Director, she is responsible for the delivery of large scale performances as well as the overall artistic vision for the company. Outside of Haywire she is part of the Creative Engagement team at Theatr Clwyd and can be found providing artistic engagement to people of all ages and abilities across Flintshire.
Contact: olivia@haywiretheatre.co.uk
Artistic Director
Lisa Jayne
Lisa is a northern-based actor and musician. She originally joined Haywire as part of the acting company for ‘buckets’ in 2021 and now she supports all creative projects, but particularly those incorporating music or new writing. Outside of Haywire she is a newly qualified English teacher in Leeds and she brings this experience and expertise into her role, where she supports and coordinates our community work in schools.
Contact: lisa@haywiretheatre.co.uk
School & Education Director
Sophie Burton
Sophie is a freelance creative who’s experience encompasses writing, directing, sound design and producing. When not working for Haywire she works as a Freelance Casting Assistant after graduating from the NFTS casting course this summer. Her role within Haywire finds her coordinating The Pocketfull Project, and the research and development of a new Haywire original play. As an early-career theatre-maker, Sophie is interested in bringing her experiences as a carer to the stage and is a keen advocate for exploring new ways to promote and protect artist wellbeing in the rehearsal room, championing diversity and inclusivity across the industry.
Contact: sophie@haywiretheatre.co.uk
New Work & Casting Producer
Arianna is a theatre-maker from Italy currently based in York. She has experience in directing, producing, movement choreography and writing the occasional monologue. Her role within Haywire finds her directing a number of scripts within The Pocketfull Project and leading on the artistic vision for a new Haywire original play. When she is not working on Haywire she is developing her own work in York that explores her experience as someone who has emigrated to the UK.
Contact: arianna@haywiretheatre.co.uk
New Work Director
Arianna Folini
#weareviable
With thanks to; James C, Matthew Dangerfield, Will Griffiths, Laura Livingstone, Meg Ryder, Amy Gillies, Nance Turner, Lisa Gould, Dr Karen Quigley