THU 11 & FRI 12 JULY 2024
Welcome to Departure Lounge 2024! This year’s festival is a rallying of the arts industry with a programme of audacious new work that really packs a punch. Together, In Good Company and our lead partner, Derby Theatre are beyond excited to present work that explores Art as Activism, and what it means to be an artist in the current socio-political climate. We have a stellar line-up of artists, creatives, activists, and industry experts for this year’s Festival, including: China Plate and Staatstheater Mainz with Talking About The Fire, written by Chris Thorpe & Claire O’Reilly; Luckiest Girl Alive by Nikki Charlesworth & Hoda Ali; Kill the Cop by Peyvand Sadeghian. Inside Your Head by Subira Joy and Dual We’re also welcoming some incredible guests including Julie Hesmondhalgh, Selina Thompson, Cheryl Martin and Chris Sonnex. Be sure you don’t miss the incredible work we’re presenting outside and offsite. Situated in our car park, World Kiosk by Variable Matter is an intimate sound and light installation that helps us connect with our global neighbours. In Derbion shopping centre, you’ll find Inside Odds On, a brand-new immersive exhibition by Dante or Die that plunges you into the world of online gambling. I’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to the presenting artists, the teams at IGC & Derby Theatre, and to our funders and partner venues for your continued support. All that’s left to say is welcome and enjoy the festival! Jen Sullivan, Creative Producer at In Good Company
IN GOOD COMPANY
Departure Lounge 2024 Launch Event
Thu 11 July, 6.15pm (30 mins)
We invite you to join us outside in Derbados for the official launch event to kick off this year’s Departure Lounge with a bang!
The event will be BSL interpreted.
Gather to meet with In Good Company and Derby Theatre to start this year’s festival and introduce you to the upcoming programme. We will also announce some of our autumn offers for artists so come along, grab a glass of fizz, and be the first to know.
DERBY THEATRE CAR PARK
(AKA DERBADOS) FREE
Booking required
MORE DETAILS HERE
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THE SOCIETY FOR BRITISH THEATRE DESIGNERS
Design Futures:
Carbon Literacy Training for Theatre Designers and their associates
Thu 11 July, 9am–4pm (6 hrs, inc 1 hr break + 2 hours work required beforehand)
A one day course specifically tailored to the needs of theatre designers and their collaborators, with a focus on freelance artistic practice and decision making processes. It will help you become knowledgeable and confident about sustainable practice both in the studio and in production, and reveal the creative possibilities of working more sustainably. It is an essential part of meeting Theatre Green Book standards for production and is a great introduction to thinking about sustainability in creative practice. This Carbon Literacy Training is run by members of The Society of British Theatre Designers; a supportive, intergenerational community of practice and shared knowledge from across the country. SBTD is run by, and for designers, at every stage of their careers – student, graduate, professional or retired designer.
MORE DETAILS HERE
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COMMUNITY HUB £49.70
Producer Gathering Thu 11 July, 11am–4pm (5hrs, inc 1 hr break)
Explore the transformative theme of ‘Art as Activism’ with us and delve into the provocative topic of ‘Self-Care in the Arts as a Radical Act’.
Producer Gathering is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Tailored for artists, early/mid-career producers and independent producers, our Producer Gathering is not-to-be-missed and is an ideal opportunity to engage in empowering discussions and network with like-minded creatives, including invited guest speakers. The day includes: Self-Care in the Arts as a Radical Act discussion; Open Space Format Discussions on the Artists’ Role in Activism in the UK Today; networking; insights into independent producing practices and more.
MORE DETAILS HERE
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UPPER FOYER FREE
Booking required
THE LINCOLN COMPANY
Recruit A suspiciously enigmatic organisation is looking for new members and launching a recruitment drive. Sign up for an interview slot and see if you have what it takes to make the cut.
Thu 11 & Fri 12 July
(30 mins)
Thu, every 15 mins between 12.45pm–1.30pm, 3pm–4.15pm & 6pm–7.15pm Fri, every 15 mins between 1pm–2.15pm & 5pm–7pm
Are they a secret government agency? A corporate conglomerate? A shady group of woke lefties? Have you joined the fight? Is money your main motivator? Have you ever been on strike? Is democracy a lie? Do you look good on the dance floor? Recruit is an irreverent performance experience for a single participant at a time. Part-audiovisual, part-interactive, it’s a tongue-in-cheek lesson in bureaucracy that moves around the building – and may just land you your next exciting role / life-changing career opportunity / disappointing dose of reality.
Meet in
LOWER FOYER £6
Age guidance: 16+ Advisories: Contains themes of political oppression and discrimination.
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
PEYVAND SADEGHIAN
DUAL Thu 11 July, 2.30pm (1 hr)
East London to Esfahan: A Dual narrative of passports and protests. DUAL , an autobiographical agitprop by Peyvand Sadeghian, captures the complexities of living with dual UK-Iranian citizenship. A bold solo performance blending puppetry, drag and powerful storytelling. From East London’s concrete landscape to the historical depths of Esfahan, it’s a journey through officialdom, protest and self-discovery. Led by the voice of Pedar (Father), DUAL invites audiences into a world where personal stories intersect with global politics, offering a unique perspective on nationality, belonging, and resilience.
GARDEN STAGE FESTIVAL £10 PASS SAVER
Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
Age guidance: 14+ Advisories: Contains themes of political unrest, identity struggle & state violence, flashing lights and loud noises.
VARIABLE MATTER
World Kiosk Thu 11 & Fri 12 July (30 mins) Thu, available at any time 4pm–9pm Fri, available at any time 1pm–7pm
We invite you to find out about your global neighbours in a whole new light. Bringing the world a little bit closer. Picture this: a street kiosk disrupting the fabric of everyday life. An intimate and enchanting digital sound and light installation where communities collide. Sip tea amidst a calming atmosphere, engaging in thoughtprovoking conversation, encouraging new connections. Enjoy our special edition newspaper and be transported to a place where stories come alive. Connect with the life journeys of what makes people all over the world who they are. Led by multi-award winning artist David Shearing, Variable Matter is an artist-led collective working across design, art, intervention and performance. Established with the aim to bring about change: environment, political and social, through high quality and rigorous artistic projects. Variable Matter examines place-making through design-led practice, transforming the everyday into magical and meaningful events.
World Kiosk will be available throughout the festival, allowing you to drop by and experience at your leisure.
World Kiosk is supported by Without Walls and Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. Commissioned by Brighton Festival and Havering Changing.
DERBY THEATRE CAR PARK
(AKA DERBADOS) FREE
ALTERED SKIN
When We See Ourselves Thu 11 July, 5pm (30 mins work-in-progress followed by 30 mins Q&A)
The story of two different people who meet by chance and fall in love is very familiar, but when those differences include ethnicity, things can get complicated.
The show will be followed by a post-show discussion.
When Jamaican heritage Vanessa meets Indian heritage Aravindan, their romance quickly takes a serious turn when cultural differences and parental disapproval threaten to break their deep connection. This 21st century relationship is set against the life of 18th century botanist Carl Linneaus whose system classifying living things, including people by skin colour, had far-reaching and devastating consequences. Using Altered Skin’s trademark blend of movement and sharply written text, this deceptively simple story provides a framework to explore far deeper themes.
STUDIO £6
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
The event will be BSL interpreted.
Thu 11 July, 7pm
(1 hr. Followed by a 30 min discussion with key artists and The Vavengers activist group) The Luckiest Girl Alive is a piece of puppet theatre based on the extraordinary real-life story of Hoda Ali; the human rights activist and campaigner against FGM (Female Genital Mutilation). “You save one girl, you save a generation” The story follows Hoda through her loving childhood in Somalia before the outbreak of Civil War, followed by her epic journey across the globe to heal herself physically and emotionally from dangerous complications of FGM, to arriving in London and within hours meeting the love of her life. Moments of pain and sadness are balanced by comedy and joy. In a post-show talk with Hoda herself, audiences will learn about the vital work Hoda now does in the fight against FGM in the UK, her co-founding of The Vavengers, and why, after everything that has happened, Hoda counts herself as ‘The Luckiest Girl Alive’. Age guidance: 13+ Advisories: Contains mentions of civil war, intimate medical procedures & infertility.
GARDEN STAGE FESTIVAL £10 PASS SAVER
Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
ANDY SMITH THEATRE & LYNDSEY O’SULLIVAN
A Citizens’ Assembly Thu 11 July, 8.45pm (1 hr, 10 mins)
We are the citizens! This is our assembly! We are the actors in this story! What are we doing about the climate emergency? What are we not doing? What more could we be doing? What more should we be doing? Be part of the story and join the debate with A Citizens’ Assembly, a new work by acclaimed theatre maker Andy Smith created in collaboration with applied arts practitioner Lynsey O’Sullivan. Part of a series of works called Plays For The People: plays written to be performed by the people in the room. Developed with the support of The Dukes Theatre Lancaster, The Social Responsibility Fund and The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at The University of Manchester. Age guidance: 14+
£10
STUDIO FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
The event will be BSL interpreted.
DERBY POETRY FESTIVAL WITH ESME SEARS
Speakers’ Corner Thu 11 July, 10pm (1 hr)
Sit back, grab a drink, relax and join us for some spoken word after the rush of the day. Hear from leading Derby poets, Esme Sears, Aoife O’Connor, Sophie Sparham and Dan Webber in this free event that responds to our festival’s theme of ‘Art as Activism’. Presented in partnership with Derby Poetry Festival, Speakers’ Corner is a time to reflect, inspire, and connect with other festival attendees. Age guidance: 11+ Advisories: Contains references to death, loss and prejudice.
UPPER FOYER FREE
VARIABLE MATTER
Co-Creating Place Workshop with David Shearing
Fri 12 July, 10am (50 mins) In this session we will explore community and co-creation methods in performance and art practice. Led by artist David Shearing, founder of art studio Variable Matter, we explore the social and ethical dimensions of creating community placemaking projects. www.variablematter.com
REHEARSAL ROOM £6
IN GOOD COMPANY DEPARTURE LOUNGE 2024
Industry Panel Discussion Fri 12 July, 11am (1 hr 30 mins)
Our ever-popular FREE Industry Panel Discussion will respond to our festival theme of ‘Art as Activism’, an insightful and vibrant conversation and forum to share ideas between industry experts, artists and audiences. What do we mean by activism within the arts? How can we use live art as a tool to instigate change? How do we raise a voice worth hearing? Why, more than ever, is it important to champion voices that create radical work? Our panel of industry experts for 2024 will be: Sarah Brigham, Selina Thompson, Cheryl Martin, Chris Sonnex and chaired by Lyn Gardner.
MORE DETAILS HERE
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The discussion will be BSL interpreted.
NETWORKING LUNCH LUNCH IS ON US… Join us afterwards for a FREE vegan curry and informal networking.
GARDEN STAGE FREE
but booking still required Early booking strongly advised
SUBIRA JOY
Kill The Cop Inside Your Head Fri 12 July, 1.30pm (50 mins)
Spoken word and performance artist Subira Joy explores their experiences being targeted by the police as a Black, queer and trans person in the UK. We’ve all got a cop inside our heads. It’s up to you what you do about that. Combining striking visual imagery with powerful language, this new work examines the impact of the police in our communities and how we internalise their role to repress and suppress ourselves into submission. Tracing narratives of police encounters while centring themes of violence, gaslighting and abuse of power, this work exposes how we impede our liberation when confronted by our inner cop. “Kill the Cop Inside Your Head truly stands out as one of the highlights of my Edinburgh Fringe experience this year. The show confronts the deeply pressing issue of police violence against Black and queer and trans people and the show’s form and artistic approach are equally riveting, boasting edgy aesthetics, powerful visuals, and compelling choreography.” – People of Theatre.
Age guidance: 12+ Developed with support from Arts Council England, Buzzcut, Marlborough Productions, Cambridge Junction, ACCA and ONCA.
The event will now be BSL interpreted.
STUDIO £6
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
REACHING COMMUNITIES
Sanctuary Scratch Fri 12 July, 3.30pm (1 hr 30 mins)
Derby Theatre’s Reaching Communities programme is delighted to introduce you to the music of three Sanctuary Scratch performances, created by a variety of wonderful artists and residents of the city. Through the National Lottery Community Fund, we have been able to develop opportunities in our community to strengthen the relationship between people, culture and art. Sharing the stories and experiences that resonate with people who have made Derby their home, this scratch will feature performances from: Dlivan Salih is a singer-songwriter, music producer and multi- instrumentalist from Kurdistan, Northern Iraq now living in Derby. Carol Fieldhouse is a singer-songwriter and music facilitator. As a solo artist she has released 2 albums of original songs featuring Boo Hewerdine, Neill MacColl, John McCusker and Chris Pepper. Butshilo Nleya is a theatre practitioner performing an excerpt of their scripted play titled Themba lo Hambo – Soup and bars. Ndukwe Onuoha is a spoken word poet from Derby. He will be presenting an exploration of what it means to be a Nigerian in the UK, balancing your worldview and heritage with new expectations and norms.
GARDEN STAGE FESTIVAL £6 PASS SAVER
Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
DEPARTURE LOUNGE 2024
Speed Meetings Fri 12 July, 3.30pm & 4.45pm Come and meet In Good Company’s Artist Support Producers and other industry professionals in our one-hour speed meeting sessions. Find yourselves in Derby Theatre’s cafe jumping table to table, sharing your good work and getting answers to your questions! This is a free but limited capacity event, please make sure to book in advance.
THEATRE CAFÉ FREE
Limited capacity, early booking strongly recommended
DANTE OR DIE
Inside Odds On Mon 8 – Sat 21 July (exc. Sun 14)
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm Step into a brand new slots shop with a difference in Derby. Inside Odds On is an immersive exhibition taking over an empty high street shop that plunges you deep down into the world of online gambling: from that first win, all the way behind the screen to give a game’s-eye view of how your fellow players are really doing. The experience includes an awardwinning solo interactive film, reflections from people whose lives have been affected by gambling and the opportunity to take part in workshops and talks. Inside Odds On will be fully accessible to wheelchair users.
Age guidance: 14+
Content Warning: The films contain gambling (live play, images, sounds & slot simulation) which may be very triggering to people with a gambling addiction or who are in recovery. A full support pack for anyone who may be affected by the issues raised is available here. A non-interactive version of Odds On is available at all times for those who may be triggered by slot machine simulation.
DERBION SHOPPING CENTRE
The interactive film is creatively Age recommendation: 14+ captioned and an audio-described version is available at all times.
FREE
Q&A with Julie Hesmondhalgh Fri 12 July, 5.15pm (1 hr) Julie Hesmondhalgh is one of Britain’s most loved actresses, she plays roles for stage and screen that tackle important issues and reach out to the hearts and minds of audiences everywhere. Julie’s work as an artist is also part and parcel of her activism for positive change, a fairer society and equality, including access to the Arts. Julie is one of the founding members of the Take Back Theatre Collective, an artistic response to the politics of austerity. Come and join Julie for an hour’s chat around the theme of ‘art as activism’ and a chance for you to ask that burning question.
UPPER FOYER £6
MAISON FOO & THE CREATIVE SANCTUARY GROUP
Story Chefs
Fri 12 July, 7.30pm
Advisories: Contains themes of war and migration
(1 hr 15 mins) A pop up story kitchen, bursting with tales and flavours from around the world. Co created with global friends seeking sanctuary, Story Chefs uses live cooking, food tasting & storytelling to share and celebrate unheard refugee voices. Hosted by members of Maison Foo’s Creative Sanctuary Group, this is a chance to catch a work-inprogress scratch of this unique experience. Offering guests a chance to meet local refugee friends from all over the world, taste their delicious food and hear their heartfelt tales. “ We welcome you to our joyous journey of the senses, we can’t wait to cook for you and share stories with you” Love the Creative Sanctuary Group x Brought to you by local Theatre Company of Sanctuary Maison Foo and is supported by Derby Theatre through their community programme. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
This Work-In-Progress Preview is brought to you by local Theatre Company of Sanctuary Maison Foo and is supported by Derby Theatre through their community programme. Funded by The National Lottery Community Fund.
UPPER FOYER £10
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
NATALIE BELLINGHAM
Look After Your Knees Fri 12 July, 7.30pm (1 hr)
A new solo performance by Funny Women finalist, Natalie Bellingham that uses comedy, storytelling and movement to celebrate being human in all its banality, sprinkled with joy and ridiculousness. Look After Your Knees is a visual and physical collage performed by a clown delving into the space inside us left behind by time. It’s about the pain and beauty of growing older, connecting and unravelling, holding on and letting go by a person trying to unwrap the new version of themselves in a world they don’t recognise and a life they seem uncomfortably in charge of. It’s about what comes next.
Age guidance: 14+ Advisories: Contains strong language and themes of grief and loss.
The event will now be BSL interpreted.
STUDIO
£10
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
CHINA PLATE & STAATSTHEATER MAINZ
Talking About The Fire Created by Chris Thorpe & Claire O’Reilly
If nuclear weapons continue to exist, we won’t. That’s where this show starts. Very few of us have lived in a world without nuclear weapons. Not me. Probably not you. They just… exist. Sometimes the threat slides into view. Russia invades Ukraine, maybe. But that doesn’t make the weapons more dangerous. They’re always dangerous. And one day – deliberately or accidentally – they’ll be used again. And then it’s all over. From the team that created the award-winning Status and Confirmation, comes a show about a new nuclear weapons treaty – one that’s trying to give the power to eliminate nuclear weapons to the states, and people, who don’t possess them. Created by seven-time Fringe First winner Chris Thorpe and Claire O’Reilly (Abbey Theatre), written and performed by Chris Thorpe and developed with Tony Award-winning Rachel Chavkin. Supported by Battersea Arts Centre, The Albany and Véronique Christory.
m p 9 , y l u J Fri 12 ) (1 hr 30 mins
Age guidance: 14+ Advisories: Contains strong language & themes of nuclear warfare.
The event will now be BSL interpreted.
GARDEN STAGE £10
FESTIVAL PASS SAVER Book 3 or more festival shows in one transaction by Fri 21 June and get 30% OFF your total booking.
IN GOOD COMPANY & OMAR KHAN
DJ Omar Afterparty
Fri 12 July, 10pm (2 hrs) Let’s see the party off together in the only way we know how – in the capable hands of DJ Omar! The bar will be open, and the dance floor is waiting. Let’s end this year’s festival with a bang!
UPPER FOYER FREE
Festival at a glance Thursday 11 July Design Futures
Community Hub
9am – 4pm
£49.70
Producer Gathering
Upper Foyer
11am – 4pm
Free
Recruit
Meet in Lower Foyer
Every 15 mins between 12.45pm–1.30pm 3pm–4.15pm 6pm–7.15pm (30 mins)
£6
Inside Odds On
Derbion
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Free
Dual
Garden Stage
2.30pm (1 hr)
£10
World Kiosk
Derbados
Anytime between 4pm – 9pm (30 mins)
Free
When We See Ourselves
Studio
5pm (30 mins + Q&A)
£6
Departure Lounge 2024 Launch Event
Derbados
6.15pm
Free
The Luckiest Girl Alive
Garden Stage
7pm (1 hr)
£10
A Citizens’ Assembly
Studio
8.45pm (1 hr 10 mins)
£10
Speakers’ Corner
Upper Foyer
10pm (1 hr)
Free
Friday 12 July Co-Creating Place Workshop
Rehearsal Room
10am (50 mins)
£6
Industry Panel Discussion
Garden Stage
11am (1 hr 30 mins)
Free
Inside Odds On
Derbion
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm
Free
Recruit
Meet in Lower Foyer
Every 15 mins between 1pm–2.15pm 5pm–7pm (30 mins)
£6
World Kiosk
Derbados
Anytime between 1pm – 7pm (30 mins)
Free
Kill The Cop Inside Your Head
Studio
1.30pm (50 mins)
£6
Sanctuary Scratch
Garden Stage
3.30pm (1 hr 30 mins)
£6
Speed Meetings
Theatre Café
3.30pm & 4.45pm
Free
Julie Hesmondhalgh Q&A
Upper Foyer
5.15pm (1 hr)
£6
Story Chefs
Upper Foyer
7.30pm (1 hr 15 mins)
£10
Look After Your Knees
Studio
7.30pm (1 hr)
£10
Talking About The Fire
Garden Stage
9pm (1 hr 30 mins)
£10
DJ Omar Afterparty
Upper Foyer
10pm (2 hrs)
Free
www.ingoodcompany.uk