The project:

IsoProductions and ThickSkin need your support to help fund the development of an exciting new script by emerging writers Rosa Connor and Georgia Lester. Both writers have shown exceptional talent and ability at the start of their careers and this opportunity will provide a springboard for their future work. Funding for the development of Hooked will be a direct investment in their talent and vision, and will help to inform the development of this production.

We are looking to fund raise to secure space, the writers’ commission and collaborators fees. The intention is to explore potential characters and story lines, and explore how to approach writing for physical theatre during a five-day development period taking place later this year. The writers will work closely with the director Kelly Wilkinson, movement director Imogen Knight and a group of actors to test script ideas and discover how the text can inspire the movement and vice versa. We have also commissioned Holly Hughes as dramaturg (script editor for TV series Skins), to mentor the writers and facilitate the writing process. The Hooked development provides a crucial stepping-stone, allowing the writers to explore and realise their ideas and ambition with support from experienced industry professionals.

The concept:

Hooked is a play about a generation of twenty-somethings desperate to create and live up to a public persona that society dictates. Both writers are in their early twenties and have drawn on personal life experiences in developing the ideas behind this play. Their experience of being young adults living in a big city has led them to believe that your twenties are a time when society expects you to be selfish, be individual and be single. However reality can feel quite different. Hooked will explore the notion of finding a connection with someone that challenges the ‘ideal’ of self-centered, city life.

Ultimately the play is about relationships and how they function. How the desperation to be loved can hinder your judgement and can affect how you are perceived by other people. The writers wish to explore the following key questions for each character, during the development phase of Hooked:
• How much do you project yourself and your own insecurities and expectations onto your partner?
• Do you find yourself replacing the desire to be loved with friendships, getting wasted and having emotionless, no strings sex?
• When you agree to a relationship how much do you instantly become indebted to that person?
• Are you with someone because you want to make yourself happy or because you want to make them happy?

The companies:

IsoProductions (from Greek īsos, equal) is a company working with emerging talent and particularly new writers. The company is committed to encouraging a creative relationship between established and developing artists. Professional production is equal to education and learning. Iso seeks to produce highly visual new work, often new writing, sometimes in non-traditional performance spaces, but always with the aim to engage new audiences and to challenge their perceptions of both the world around them and what theatre should be. The company aims to bridge the gap between training opportunities, demanding long hours and little pay, by providing professional and flexible mentorship opportunities. For each theatre professional working on an IsoProductions’ show, there is an emerging practitioner mirroring the role, gaining valuable experience to facilitate them breaking into the theatre industry. See www.isoproductions.co.uk.

‘an astute, subtle and timely piece of work.’ British Theatre Guide on IsoProductions’ Isfahan Calling

ThickSkin aims to unearth new talent and engage established artists in the creation of innovative work. The company is committed to producing collaborative, cross-disciplined touring productions that will inspire and challenge audiences. ThickSkin creates fresh and exciting new work by combining design, music, movement and text. For more information visit www.thickskintheatre.co.uk.

‘hot on the heels of the UK's finest physical theatre companies.’ Time Won’t Wait

IsoProductions and ThickSkin will coproduce Hooked, a new physical theatre production by emerging writers Rosa Connor and Georgia Lester. The intention is to tour the production to site-specific locations, in nightclubs and bars across the UK, attracting a non-traditional theatre audience. The companies share an ethos of developing young artists, making this a well-matched partnership. Under the Artistic Direction of Kelly Wilkinson, IsoProductions will lead on the artistic vision for the production, engaging and facilitating the writers, collaborators and actors, and managing the mentorship programme. ThickSkin’s Producer, Laura Sutton, will lead on producing Hooked including booking tour venues, negotiating contracts, and managing press and marketing, while ThickSkin’s Artistic Director, Neil Bettles, will support the project as a Creative Advisor. The partnership will enable Iso to realise its artistic ambition for Hooked while benefiting from ThickSkin’s expertise in touring and producing multi-disciplined theatre.