About Us

We are Badapple Theatre. We are for theatre for everyone… everywhere!

We are one of the UK’s most vibrant and prolific touring companies and have been taking our much-loved original productions to rural venues nationwide for 25 years!

 

Theatre on Your Doorstep

Our Theatre On Your Doorstep performances are joyous and uplifting, performed for audience of all ages to the delight of communities in often remote locations. We create bespoke events at community spaces where local communities come together to enjoy a shared experience. We are genuinely accessible for older people, those with disabilities and families with children as they are attending at local spaces with good facilities. We remove the need to travel to see high quality theatre and this brings huge environmental benefit, as well as bringing increased ancillary revenue into community spaces and local businesses.

 

 

We are unique and ever-changing. We mix theatre with music, film, circus, puppetry and more. We talk about worldwide environmental and social issues with a local perspective and a good dose of fun. We pride ourselves on our dynamic and inclusive work with young people through our Youth Theatre, Play In A Week and Schools Springboard sessions. Our classes for young people are open to all students of all abilities (we don’t audition for shows and screen talent) so ALL participants can benefit from learning team building skills, confidence in public speaking and much more as well as a love of storytelling and performance. We work regularly with young people who are on the autistic pathway, have disabilities or are survivors of early years emotional trauma.

All the images above were drawn from just ONE year of our rich 25year history, 2022, a typical year of performances indoors (our largest venue was York Theatre Royal) outdoors (like Ripon Theatre Festival) and a massive number of workshops and participation projects.

25 Years of Touring

Our stories often have their roots in village life and reflect the concerns and debates affecting rural audiences. In the past we have explored the farming stories of James Herriot in An Honorary Yorkshireman, recorded first-hand the reminiscences of Yorkshire Land Army volunteers in Back to the Land Girls and Lights Out Land Girls, and how an allotment garden changed the fortunes of the run down village and football team in The Carlton Colliers.

Theatre for Social Change

We are committed to using a rural lens to shine a light on worldwide modern issues that affect all of our communities, such as climate change and forced migration. We focus on inspiration, social cohesion and inclusivity and believe everyone should have the chance to explore their own creativity and freedom. Our whole team holds this philosophy of inclusivity at the heart of all our professional touring and community work.

The Team

Kate Bramley

Artistic Director and Writer

Kate is a highly respected theatre practitioner who trained under Sir John Godber at Hull Truck Theatre becoming the youngest professional director at the award-winning company. Kate has lived in rural areas for most of her life, which is reflected in her astute comic writing. Her plays are often set within a small village, where the protagonists look out at the wider world from the unique perspective of rural life.

Jez Lowe

Company Director, Composer and Music Director

Jez is a SONY Radio Academy Award-winning songwriter and international touring musician. He is a featured presenter for BBC Radio 4 Open Country and a commissioned songwriter for the BBC Radio 2 Radio Ballads series. His work is much in demand and has been exhibited at the Victoria and Albert Museum and collected for The Museum of The Troubles in Ulster.

 

Claire Jeffrey 

Administrator and Company Director 

Claire assumes responsibility for all the crucial administrative work which links our rural venues, funders and the creative team. She keeps the office running like clockwork and spends a lot of time talking to organisers, sending out publicity materials and ticket orders and generally keeps the company afloat on a daily basis.

Annabelle Polito

Funding and Media Manager

Annabelle is responsible for completing many diverse forms and applications, speaking to press and updating the website and social media channels to make sure much needed funding comes in, while celebrating all we achieve with that support. She is key to making high quality performance accessible for all by keeping ticket prices as low as possible so that audiences can experience amazing theatre on their doorstep.

Sue Rosser

Education Director 

Sue is the director of our year-round youth theatre sessions for 7 to 15-year olds and also our much-loved Play In a Week summer schools. Sue has a wealth of experience in working with young people, from Associate Director and Head of Education and Outreach at Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal to Freelance Practitioner at Cheltenham Everyman Theatre. She has also widely delivered specialised behaviour training in schools.