Want to be part of our summer production?

ABOUT THE PROJECT 

Beginning in the spring of 2022, Haywire started a collaboration with Well-Fed Ltd (a partnership between Can Cook, Flintshire County Council and ClwydAlyn Housing Association). This collaboration had the long term goals of finding a unique, socially focused way of tackling food poverty in the North Wales region, predominantly through artistic engagement. The aim was to work our way from small-scale community engagement to a full-length, mid-scale performance that was created from the experiences of the Flintshire community, and in turn able to advocate, document and raise awareness of the impact food poverty had on their lives and community. 

This began with a period of 5 months of socially focused community outreach in the Spring and Summer of 2022, where the Haywire team ran discussions, workshops and arts engagement with the objective to detail the opinions of the Flintshire public on the topic of food poverty. We worked with over 600 members of the Flintshire community, collating interview material, running arts workshops and discussion groups in order to create a bank of information that spoke directly to the lived experience of Flintshire residents. Focus covered experiences of the issue, experiences of supporting others facing it, current and idealised future support options, and how the issue can be best (and most realistically) presented onstage. Discussions and interviews were recorded and transcribed to document firsthand experience, or workshop reports were used to record key findings, points of discussion, and main discoveries. This period of the project gave us several key learnings to carry forward into future stages, but there were two key points of note: the people of Flintshire view food and community as intrinsically linked, and that they’re desperate to have their voices documented more openly and publicly.

Following this community outreach, we then ran a community co-written Writers’ Room between November 2022 - January 2023. This space was focused on empowering a group of 6 writers, 3 professional and 3 from the Flintshire community, to take the information gathered in community outreach and convert it into a script. They were supported by a new programme of community workshops, which read extracts of the working script or gave feedback on ideas as they developed, ensuring the voices of those in Flintshire were a central part of the creation process. At the end of this Writers’ Room we had a full-length play, ‘How to Feed a Town’, in both English and Welsh, that accurately represented the voices of Flintshire on the topic of food poverty and community. 

This third and final stage of the project will take that script on stage, in a performance tour that will feature shows at Theatr Clwyd and key community venues across Flintshire and beyond. Presented in both English and Welsh (with final performance languages to be decided following input from our venues), this work will boost community cohesion and spread awareness of the everyday realities of food poverty, in turn allowing people to come together to create a more supportive Welsh community for all. Just as Haywire always aims to document the lives of those we find around us everyday in extraordinary ways, this show takes community spirit and brings it to the forefront, making it the beating heart behind change, progress and togetherness.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Director: Olivia Clarke 

Producer: Lucy Haslingden

Casting director: Sophie Burton 

Project Partners: Arts Council Wales, Theatr Clwyd, Flintshire County Council and Well-Fed Ltd. 

SYNOPSIS

Here in Gwaun, we are all thriving… 

Leanne is new in town. Or at least, as new as you get for the people of Gwaun. Raised there and recently returned after escaping a few towns away, she’s ready and raring to start anew and build a fresh life for herself and her daughter Maisie. There’s only one problem. Leanne doesn’t have a clue how to cook, or the money to make a start. With a Council Support Officer watching her every move and the whole town ready to judge, she’ll embark on a journey to finally feel full and learn the true meaning of making something from nothing. 

Directly inspired by, and created with, the people of Flintshire, ‘How to Feed a Town’ is packed full of Haywire’s signature approach to everyday storytelling. Prepare for laughter, tears and even a song or two as they take you by the hand and lead you into the bitingly insightful world of food, family and modern poverty. 

Jobs

Co-Producer - Full Time

We’re looking for a Welsh-speaking Co-Producer who will work alongside a part-time Co-Producer to handle most of the project leadership, tour organisation, contract work and marketing, ensuring the merits of the production shine through and project is enriching for audiences and artists alike.

For more information on the project and details about the role check out the recruitment pack by following the link below:

JOB PACK

To apply, please email lucy@haywiretheatre.co.uk with your CV and a letter of interest alternatively you can provide this information in video format. We ask that video submissions are no longer than 5 minutes.

Production Manager/DSM - Full Time

We’re looking for a Production Manager/DSM who will ensure smooth delivery of the technical aspects of the show, working to manage rehearsals, align design elements, and support on the delivery of the tour performances, creating great quality shows in a a range of venues that are enriching for audiences and artists alike.

For more information on the project and details about the role check out the recruitment pack by following the link below:

JOB PACK

To apply, please email lucy@haywiretheatre.co.uk with your CV and a letter of interest alternatively you can provide this information in video format. We ask that video submissions are no longer than 5 minutes.

Assistant Director - Part Time

We’re looking for an Assistant Director to support the Director in the day-to-day running of rehearsals, working Ito coordinate musical numbers and our supporting community cast, and liaising with other members of the company when needed.

For more information on the project and details about the role check out the recruitment pack by following the link below:

JOB PACK

To apply, please email lucy@haywiretheatre.co.uk with your CV and a letter of interest alternatively you can provide this information in video format. We ask that video submissions are no longer than 5 minutes.

Community Cast Member - Part Time

We are looking for Welsh-speaking people of any gender aged 30+ who are based in Flintshire and the surrounding areas to form the ensemble of community cast members who play the villagers of Gwaun, a fictional town in North Wales.

Role Requirements:

• Must be comfortable performing in both Welsh and English.

• Must be able to commit 8-10 hours per week and be available for performances 22/07 and 23/07, and within the first few weeks of September. Performers should be available to rehearse every Sunday, with additional rehearsals on weekdays possible depending on availability.  

• No acting experience required. Applicants should be comfortable singing in a group of people on stage. There will be no expectation to sing solo. 

• Must be based in North Wales and be able to attend rehearsals and performances in Flintshire and the surrounding counties. Driving license and access to a car is useful but not a requirement. 

HOW TO APPLY:

To express your interest please email sophie@haywiretheatre.co.uk with the subject ’COMMUNITY CASTING - ENSEMBLE ROLES' 

Please include your name, where you are based, a bit about yourself & why you are interested in the production, and attach a recent picture of yourself.

We look forward to hearing from you.