Our 2023 production of Julius Caesar toured to nine regional theatres and includes a Community Chorus made up of community leaders, workers and volunteers from the local area.
At each theatre it visits, there was a different chorus on stage, drawn from that local community.
Canterbury
The Canterbury Community chorus included a Reverend of three Canterbury churches, a special educational needs teacher, an artist who works across curation and performance and the CEO of a charity that works with young refugees and asylum seekers in Kent.
Truro
The Cornwall chorus, performing at Hall for Cornwall in Truro, was made up of six women who were selected by Hall For Cornwall for their inspiring contributions to the community.
The Truro chorus was made up of women with a varied background in singing – some had been involved in the theatre all their lives, Amy is a member of Falmouth community Gospel choir and sung with the Welsh National Opera, while one has no singing or acting experience at all. They include:
- Amy is a literacy co-ordinator, and a volunteer at the Refill Store in Truro (a local shop reducing plastic waste and its impact on the environment)
- Emily is a member of Cornwall Council leading economic growth and employment for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Lisa is the owner of Cornwall Dance School and LA Studios and teaches dance, drama and musical theatre in local primary and secondary schools
Bradford
The Community Chorus for Bradford was made up of community leaders, working for or volunteering with organisations such as Bradford Nightstop, an organisation that provides emergency accommodation for young people aged 16-25 years and teachers of ESOL students (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at Bradford College.
Blackpool
The six members of Blackpool's Community Chorus were all local leaders in their own fields - working and volunteering across education and schools, community groups, the arts, local authority and tourism sectors.
The Blackpool Chorus comprised:
- Emma from inclusive theatre company TramShed Theatre
- Zoe, who works for Blackpool Libraries, engaging with the families of preschool children
- Beth, a manager at the world famous Blackpool Tower
- Tori, a teacher at St Mary’s Catholic Academy Blackpool, a high-achieving 11-18 academy
- Cy, Lead Youth Worker for Local Trust Revoelution project in Revoe, the second most deprived area of the country
- Hannah, who teaches movement to adults with neurological conditions and supports an accessible dance class for adults
Nottingham Theatre Royal
A group of six women make up the community chorus for Nottingham.
The Nottingham group was made up of local community leaders, including a Nottingham City Councillor, a theatre producer, a primary school teacher, a senior educator at the National Holocaust Centre and Museum, a sustainability and building health facilitator, and a trustee for Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature.
The women lead and support a variety of local groups and causes, including support for those experiencing domestic abuse, mental health issues, and homelessness, as well as empowering others through performing arts and creative writing projects.
Norwich
The Norwich Community Chorus was made up of Rebecca White, Jeneseka Alexander, Melissa Bowling, Alice Evans, Rio Montana Topley and Lucy Dalgleish.
The chorus included the CEO of a homelessness prevention social enterprise; a performing arts teacher from Ormiston Victory Academy; a single mum from Sierra Leone; a trans woman who is a keen performer and was a previous committee member of Norwich Pride; a recent drama graduate who now works for Age UK Norwich; and a Hospitality Operations Manager from Norwich Theatre Royal.
Newcastle upon Tyne, York and Salford
Julius Caesar also toured to Newcastle Theatre Royal, York Theatre Royal and the Lowry Salford, with local community choruses performing at each venue.
