Today’s Fringe Focus heads to southeast London and the Jack Studio Theatre, based at the Brockley Jack pub.
I chatted to artistic director Kate Bannister and theatre manager Karl Swinyard to find out more about the venue, which seats 50 and opened in 1992.
The Jack Studio/Brockley Jack has been around for over 30 years in Lewisham. What’s helped it to survive so long?
We’re a venue in the heart of our community in SE4, and local support and love of the theatre over the years is one of the reasons why the Jack is still going strong.
There is a terrific community audience, who support our productions and spread the word about the shows they’ve seen.
We also have a brilliant team at the Jack who programme a variety of productions throughout the year, looking for new voices and stories to bring to the theatre. Having a varied programme, with different offers to the audience, keeps the space relevant.
On a technical level we’re constantly upgrading our lighting and sound equipment so it’s an attractive space for companies to come to, where they can be as creative as possible with the design elements of their show.
We also offer companies support in bringing their work to the stage – we’re here to help. As we’ve created many productions ourselves, we’re aware of some of the challenges companies face, so we’re here to support them during their time at the Jack.
Our visiting companies are offered free rehearsal space, and use of our extensive prop and costume store. We also work on press and PR with them, to maximise interest in their work, and we’re always happy to offer feedback on new scripts coming to the venue.
Each year, we will have companies producing their first shows with us, and we’re keen to help bring that work to life.
You’ve been described as a very welcoming theatre. What’s special about the Jack Studio?
That’s lovely to hear! It is important to us that the Jack is a friendly space, and we want to make sure everyone – audiences and companies – feel welcome when they come to the theatre.
Smaller spaces, such as pub theatres, are particularly good at this, as we have the chance to get to know our audience, many of whom come back to see different productions throughout the year.
We also have an amazing front of house team, who all work in the theatre, and who ensure that everyone receives a warm welcome.
How would you describe your programming policy, and how do your in-house and associate companies fit in?
We plan a diverse mix of productions throughout the year, with programming that ranges from new writing to innovative revivals of more established texts. There is an audience for both, and we’re also home to adaptations, musicals,
Scratch nights, workshops and film.
In the last few years especially, we’ve programmed more new plays; we’re committed to supporting new writing and early career artists.
We’ve also been programming shorter runs, which can feel less of a risk to new companies, although there is now more confidence with longer runs returning. We encourage companies to make bold choices, and support those who wish to produce work about challenging subjects.
It’s always worth taking a risk, and we want to keep seeing these new voices at the Jack. We also programme companies based outside of London, which increases the range of stories and productions we can offer to our audiences.
The pub theatre/fringe scene in London is very diverse. Where do you feel the Jack Studio fits in with all the venues across the capital?
There are so many amazing spaces programming and producing exciting work and supporting artists throughout London. We’re just proud to be one of these in our part of southeast London!
Do you have a typical core audience? And what’s been your biggest challenge in this area?
We have a loyal local audience, who support a variety of productions throughout the year. But audiences will vary, depending on the piece that’s currently showing, and if it has a particular relevance or appeal.
We also have visitors coming from throughout London to see the work – but it’s always about getting the word out there, and letting people know what’s coming next, and why they might want to see it.
What’s coming up next for you?
We have a exciting programme of productions planned for the rest of 2024, which you can find out more about on our webpage: https://brockleyjack.co.uk/whats-on/
From May onwards we programmed to the end of the year, so do look out for new shows being listed soon.
There are plenty of highlights coming up.
This Summer we welcome returning company, Upper Hand Theatre, a female-led theatre company providing opportunities for women in the arts, with their revival of Sparks.
We’re also delighted to give a platform to local playwright and performer Chukwudi Onwere with his new play Deptford Baby.
Deptford Baby started life at the Jack as a short film, which we produced in ’21 when theatres were closed for live performance – view at https://youtu.be/fzLuPvEPGbQ
So we’re thrilled to see it expand into a full-length version, which is being performed in July.
In September we’re collaborating with The Bridge House Theatre, a neighbouring venue in southeast London. It’s great to work with other venues and share ideas.
We’re recently launched submissions for SE Fest, a new writing festival that takes place at both theatres in the first two weeks of September ‘24. What’s unique is that companies will meet and have the support of both teams, as all productions will be played at both venues.
We’re already receiving submissions – and the deadline for applications is June 7th. So if companies have a new play they’d like to try out at the Festival, we’d love to hear from them!
Info is on our webpage here: https://brockleyjack.co.uk/se-fest/ We’re also programming the theatre from 2025 now.