Thee Black Swan Theatre and Opera Company has been formed to provide the growing number of classically trained Black actors and singers with a platform to perform their craft
The company has constructively inclusive casting. Members will perform roles in classical, contemporary and new theatre and opera to the highest professional standards.
The Company's aim is to explore a variety of cultures as fresh and exciting settings for its productions. Its wish is to be innovative in its production style and accessible to all, bringing classical and contemporary theatre and opera to audiences, who might until now have felt alienated and excluded from these art forms.
Thee Black Swan was originally founded by Joe Charles in 1993, with a groundbreaking production of Dido and Aeneas, to critical and audience acclaim. Joe Charles has been a professional theatre director and actor for over thirty years including long experience as an actor at the Royal Shakespeare Company.
The Company has recently reformed with a remit to explore partnership funding arrangements for an exciting programme of plays and pieces. The first of which will coincide with the celebration of the abolition of slavery this year. It will however be exploring this event through the eyes of Toussaint L’Ouverture.
Our challenge is threefold
Joseph has worked theatre for over thirty years. He has worked in most repertory theatres in the UK, including The Royal Shakespeare Company of which he was a member for eight years. He founded Thee Black Swan in 1993.
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