Iris theatre, led by Artistic Director Paul-Ryan Carberry, announces today a new bespoke theatre space within the heart of Covent Garden, supported by CAPCO. THE POD, a 70-seater thrust theatre, will be erected in the heart of the West End within the grounds of the company’s home of St. Paul’s Church, also known as the Actors’ Church from November 2021. In a first for the company, who specialise in outdoor theatre, THE POD will enable Iris Theatre to programme work all year round, with the space erected every Winter in the grounds of the Actors’ Church.
THE POD, a 70-seater thrust theatre with flexible staging, will host Iris Theatre’s first festive Winter Season, an innovative programme of work championing some of the most exceptional early-career artists and companies in the UK, running until the end of the year. Iris Theatre’s 2021 Winter Season features work from companies Relish Theatre, Guttersnipe Theatre, Betwixt-and-Between and Gartland Productions, with full casts and companies to be announced late October.
Paul-Ryan Carberry, Artistic Director of Iris Theatre, said today ‘At Iris Theatre, it brings us all so much joy today as we announce THE POD, something our team has worked tirelessly, throughout this difficult year, to achieve. This brand-new theatre space in the heart of Covent Garden marks a landmark opportunity for our charity to forge further opportunities for early-career artists and companies to create and share bold and vibrant work. We’ve got an exceptional festive season of theatre planned for our fantastic audience and we can’t wait to welcome them to THE POD from November. We also wanted to say a big thank you to CAPCO for their vital support on this project as well as all the staff at The Actors’ Church for their ongoing championing of our charity.’
THE POD is supported by CAPCO, The Leche Trust and St. Paul’s Church, Covent Garden.
Winter Season at THE POD
15-20 November
HOLDING.
By Nicole Botha and Dan Whitlam
Starting at the end. ‘He’ and ‘she’ are moving out. They pack up their home and their relationship. A relationship packed into boxes all to be divided between the two of them. HOLDING. is a new and exciting piece of work using a blend of story, spoken word and beats, steering audiences through our couple's journey as, together, they unbox what romance truly is.
This moving and unique world premiere, featuring a one-of-a-kind soundtrack, is written and created by early-career poets Nicole Botha and Dan Whitlam. Iris Theatre proudly presents HOLDING. as the debut production for its newly built theatre space THE POD.
23 - 27 November
SHUGA FIXX VS. THE ILLUMINATI
Presented by Relish Theatre; Created by Poppy Pedder and Guttersnipe Theatre
Brooke, Jude and Gemma are three ordinary galz with extraordinary dreamz. After forming girlband SHUGA FIXX and winning the Triple Threat Teen Awards they fly straight to the top of the charts, and unwittingly straight into the cold reptilian hands of… THE ILLUMINATI. And so begins the fight: good vs. evil, gals in glitter vs. men in cloaks, sisters vs. brethren. Who will win in the millennia’s bloodiest, fiercest, spangliest battle to end all battles?
Featuring tearaways, rhinestoned lizards and original pop hitz, SHUGA FIXX vs The Illuminati, provides a sugar-coated, outrageously silly, high-camp antidote for these strange times.
29 November - 4 December
PETER PAN IN KENSINGTON GARDENS
Presented by Betwixt-and-Between; Written by Charlotte Ellen
Before Pan, there was Peter. Mary doesn’t want to grow up, so has run away to Kensington Gardens where her father, George, tells her the incredible origin story of ‘the boy who wouldn’t grow up’. Through games and songs they take a flight of imagination into Peter Pan’s earliest adventures.
Betwixt-and-Between's magical adaptation of J.M.Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens invites you to fly away with them on this 60-minute story-telling adventure. With original music, puppetry and wonderful characters this charming family show is filled with joy, wit and nostalgia that makes it a festive treat for all ages.
Age guidance: 3+
6 - 11 December
THE LAST NATIVITY
by Eden Tredwell
It's Christmas and adult siblings Laura, Blake and Mia are returning to the family home. But when the last-minute addition of Nana Sue means they're a present short, they decide to pull all the stops out and recreate their childhood Nativity play. Tensions arise, comedy ensues, and Powerpoint skills are tested as they try and recapture the magic of a childhood Christmas in The Last Nativity.
This world première new play, featuring a host of wonderful new music, is written and created by Stiles and Drew Award-winner Eden Tredwell.
13 - 19 December
A SONG FOR CHRISTMAS
Presented by Iris Theatre and Gartland Productions; Written and directed by Alice Croft
Gartland Productions and Iris Theatre proudly present the world première of A Song For Christmas, written and directed by the Alice Croft. It’s the night before Christmas and there are lessons to be learnt - together, can we find the true meaning of the most wonderful time of the year?
Connect with all the family for this very special celebration of Christmas featuring a catalogue of much-loved festive music and stories from a multi-talented cast. Performed within Covent Garden’s newest theatre space THE POD, A Song For Christmas promises to get the festive spirit flowing for audiences of all ages.
THE POD
The Actors’ Church
Bedford Street
London
WC2E 9ED
Tickets: £15
HOLDING.
15-20 November 2021
Shuga Fixx Vs. The Illuminati
23 - 27 November 2021
Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens
29 November - 4 December 2021
The Last Nativity
6 - 11 December 2021
A Song For Christmas
13 - 19 December 2021
