Company Name: Pentabus Rural Theatre Company
Founders: Sue Dunderdale /West Midlands Arts Association. Directors: Sue Dunderdale (1974-1976), Jonathan Cross (1976-1985), Peter Cann (1985-1989), No AD (1989-92), Steve Johnstone and Purvin (1992-98), Theresa Heskins (1998-2006), Orla O’Loughlin (2006-2012), Elizabeth Freestone ( 2012- present)
Current status: Still in operation – Pentabus Theatre Company is a rural theatre company, touring locally, nationally and internationally.
Established: 1974
Reason: In 1973 West Midlands Arts set up a feasibility study to address the fact that very little live theatre was taking place in the West Midlands region outside the conurbations. They also realised that no arts subsidy was being expended in the rural areas of the West Midlands – a very inequitable situation.
The study would be practical and was led by a young theatre practitioner, Sue Dunderdale. It would not only discover and audit what was happening in the rural areas re: live, new arts but also actually create new work that was aimed directly at rural audiences, not only in style and content but also in form and presentation.
Sue Dunderdale created a small group of practitioners who created and performed new theatre work that was performed in small halls, town squares, pubs and fields.
Right on the deadline for applications, March 1974, Sue Dunderdale presented her findings in a ground breaking plan to W.M.A. and the group was awarded a revenue grant to continue its work. The endeavour was initially called ‘The Pentabus Project ‘(Pent’ referring the five rural counties of the West Midlands and ‘bus’ because they travelled in an old bus). This was soon changed to Pentabus Theatre.
Area of Work: New writing, community theatre
Policy: From the outset in 1974 the company established distinct themes, motifs and practices– some of which continue to the present day. It seems these themes and practices were established, not through any written statement or conscious decision but by drawing on the resources that were already to hand: That the work would be new writing was a given: It must have been natural for the company members to reject the established repertoire, partly because the late 60s and early 70s were times when anything representing the status quo in politics, arts or lifestyle would be rejected or radically and exhaustively challenged and reviewed.
In 1976 it was decided that such a small company could not serve all five rural counties of the West Midlands, so Staffordshire and Warwickshire were dropped, and the company concentrated on Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
In the 1980s, a community arts branch of Pentabus was established, offering communities and community groups sessions in drama, puppetry, video, art and crafts. The aim was to help establish activity groups that would continue under local leadership.
Structure: A Registered Charity with a Board of Trustees. The original structure consisted of an artistic director, a stage manager/designer, an administrator, two actors/grass roots workers (one of whom was also a writer) four other actors and a musician. This has varied over the course of the company’s history and currently there are two co-directors (an artistic director and a managing director) an audience development/marketing officer, a projects producer, a stage manager, a C4 writer in residence and a part time book keeper. Other company members are taken on for each production. Pentabus was formally part of West Midlands Arts until 1983, when it became independent.
Based: Worcestershire, Shropshire and Herefordshire – in the early days the company was based at Kidderminster, and later at Arley Kings near Stourport, both in Worcestershire. In 1983 an Arts Council officer noticed an empty school building in the village of Bromfield, near Ludlow in south Shropshire, and thought it would make a great base for Pentabus. The company eventually moved there in 1989. From 1980-1986, the community arts branch of the project was based in Weobley, then moving to Leominster, both in Herefordshire. The two parts of the organisation formally split in 1992.
Funding: Arts Council England (and a variety of organisations and local authorities over the past 40 years)
Performance venues including: Community Centres, village halls, school halls, town squares, churches, playing fields, pubs, marquees, site specific venues and a wide variety of theatres across the country.
Audiences: Pentabus originally built a loyal audience within the West Midlands and neighbouring counties. The company has always covered a wide audience demographic by developing shows and touring to communities that did not have easy access to theatre. The company has become synonymous with new writing and has developed audiences nationwide through larger tours and increased output of work.
Simon Slater and Roger Beaumont
1982
Simon Slater and Roger Beaumont
1982
Company work and process:
1974-76
Sue Dunderdale was the first director of Pentabus, working with the company from 1974-76. The original company was composed of an artistic director, stage manager/designer, administrator, 2 actor/grass root workers, one of whom was a writer, and 4 actors and a musician. The company toured the 5 counties of the West Midlands with the idea that they would change their base from region to region, their first base being Shrewsbury. From the start there was a core emphasis on community work. Productions were performed in village halls where the acting company would bring in and construct their own portable theatre ‘environment’. At the same time grass roots workers would be developing projects within the village communities which ultimately linked up with the main production work. Some shows were devised, others written by company members or through commissions and included commedia-style pieces (The Terry Bull Circus – company devised), children’s plays (The Magic Map by Ginny Hole), pantos and straight plays inspired by local issues (A Cottage in the Country by Joyce Cheeseman). Please link here to an edited transcript taken from an interview with Sue Dunderdale, January 2015.
1976-85
See the transcript of an interview with Jonathan Cross about his work with Pentabus.
Personal appraisal and thoughts:
Reviews:
Lost in London, 1974, a mid-Victorian melodrama updated with Edwardian music hall songs: ‘The play, a mid-Victorian melodrama, tells the familiar story of the toff who lures an innocent country girl to London and debauches her: it seemed a questionable and slightly patronising choice for a rural theatre group. I cannot easily believe that today’s country dwellers will be much interested in the stereotyped yokels of nineteenth century drama.’ (Birmingham Post, 22/8/74)
The Magic Map, 1974, a play for children: ‘adventures of a fair changeling. There was plenty of audience participation and a good time was had by all.’ (Birmingham Post, 22/8/74)
Working out the end’, 1974: ‘takes place in heaven, where the inmates spend their tea break telling tales of life on earth.’ (Shrewsbury Chronicle, 4/10/74)
‘Reg Stewart’s trousers began to split audibly at a moment when he was miming the drilling of a hole in the road! He had to pretend to crawl under the road to a gas leak and the trousers split a little more as time went on’ (Worcester Evening News, 26/9/74; verbatim in Hereford Times, 4/10/74)
Productions 1966-1988:
| PRODUCTION NAME | VENUES | DATES |
|---|---|---|
| Magic Map Writer: Ginny Hole Director: Jonathan Cross | 26 performances in schools, village halls, playing fields, a theatre, a library, a youth club and a community centre across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire | 20 Aug- 30 Oct 74 |
| Lost in London Writer: Watts Phillips Director: Sue Dunderdale Cast: Richard Addison, Richard Albrecht, Reg Stewart, Maureen O’Donnell, Lynne Verrall and Jonathan Cross Designer: Terry Brown Music/sound: Rik Allsopp | 24 performances in schools, village halls, 3 theatres, 2 colleges, a Civic Hall and a hotel across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire | 20 Aug – 2 Nov 74 |
| Working Out the End Writer: Reg Stewart Director: Sue Dunderdale Cast: Richard Addison, Richard Albrecht, Reg Stewart, Maureen O’Donnell, Lynne Verrall and Jonathan Cross Designer: Terry Brown Music/sound: Rik Allsopp | 19 performances in schools, village halls, 2 theatres, 3 colleges and a youth club across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire. | 21 Aug – 31 Oct 74 |
| The Charlie Chaplin Show Writer: Jonathan Cross/Sue Dunderdale Director: Sue Dunderdale/Jonathan Cross Cast: Ken Robertson, Richard Albrecht, Jill Shakespeare and Lynne Verrall Music/sound: Rik Allsopp | Performances in Village Halls, Schools and Colleges across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire | April – June 75 Sep – Dec 75 |
| The Terry Bull Circus and Sideshow Writer: Jonathan Cross/Sue Dunderdale Director: Sue Dunderdale/Jonathan Cross Cast: Ken Robertson, Richard Albrecht, Jill Shakespeare and Lynne Verrall Music/sound: Rik Allsopp | Performances in Village Halls, Schools and Colleges across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire | July – Aug 75 |
| Bloomers Writer: Jonathan Cross/Sue Dunderdale Director: Sue Dunderdale/Jonathan Cross Cast: Ken Robertson, Richard Albrecht, Jill Shakespeare and Lynne Verrall Music/sound: Rik Allsopp | Performances in Village Halls, Schools and Colleges across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire | Sep – Dec 75 |
| A Cottage in the Country Writer: Joyce Cheeseman Director: Sue Dunderdale Cast: Ian Heywood, Ken Robertson, Clare Travers-Deacon, Jo Cameron Brown and Alun Bond | Autumn 1976 | |
| Heads and Tales Writer: Joyce Cheeseman Director: Sue Dunderdale Cast: Ian Heywood, Ken Robertson, Clare Travers-Deacon, Jo Cameron Brown and Alun Bond | 1976 | |
| The Story of Giant Kippernose Writer: Joyce Cheeseman Director: Sue Dunderdale Cast: Ian Heywood, Ken Robertson, Clare Travers-Deacon, Jo Cameron Brown and Alun Bond | 1976 | |
| Dr Klaw’s Amazing Medicine Show Company devised Cast: Ian Heywood, Alan Rivett, Liz Olsen, Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Patty Hancock | 1977 | |
| Komic Kuts Company devised Cast: Ian Heywood, Alan Rivett, Liz Olsen, Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Patty Hancock | 1977 | |
| Babes in the Wood Company adaptation Director: Jonathan Cross/Alun Bond Cast: Ian Heywood, Genevieve Walsh, Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Patty Hancock Music/sound: Ian Heywood | Toured in West Midlands | Dec 77 - Feb 78 |
| Rubbisch yn Latwegia Company devised Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Susie Cunningham, John Iggulden, Andy Andrews and Alun Bond Designer: Barbara Allen Music/sound: John Iggulden | 1978 | |
| Schools Out Company devised Director: Alun Bond Cast: Susie Cunningham, John Iggulden and Andy Andrews Music/sound: Andy Andrews (song) | Sep - Oct 78 | |
| The Knave of Hearts Company devised Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Susie Cunningham, Duncan Brown, Andy Andrews and Alun Bond Music/sound: Duncan Brown | Toured in West Midlands | Dec 78 – Feb 79 |
| One Over the Eight Company devised Cast: Susie Cunningham, Nicky Furse, Peter Cann, Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Kate Edgar | 1979 | |
| The Last Straw Show Cast: Nicky Furse, Alan Rivett, , Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Kate Edgar | 1979 | |
| Professor Pickles’ Dream Machine Company devised Cast: Nicky Furse, Roy Weskin, Peter Cann and Kate Edgar | 1979 | |
| Jack and the Beanstalk Company devised Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Roger Beaumont, Ronan Paterson, Diana Cox, Andy Andrews, Alun Bond and Kate Edgar Designer: Antony Waterman Music/sound: Kate Edgar | Toured in West Midlands | Dec 79 – Feb 80 |
| The Last Cottage Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Alun Bond Cast: Roger Beaumont, Ronan Paterson, Diana Cox, Andy Andrews and Kate Edgar Designer: Antony Waterman Music/sound: Kate Edgar | 1980 | |
| The Greatest Show on Earth and Pentabus Roadshow Company devised Cast: Roger Beaumont, Ronan Paterson, Janine Sharp, Andy Andrews and Alun Bond | 1980 | |
| Country Fayre Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Alun Bond Cast: Roger Beaumont, Angela Bain, Andy Andrews and Janine Sharp | 1980 | |
| Red Riding Hood Company devised Director: Alun Bond Cast: Roger Beaumont, Angela Bain, Janine Sharp, Andy Andrews, James Castle and Mike Gallant Designer: Antony Waterman Music/sound: Mike Gallant/Angela Bain | Toured in West Midlands | Dec 80 – Feb 81 |
| Come On In, It’s lovely! Company devised Cast: Roger Beaumont, Angela Bain, Janine Sharp, Steven Byrne and Paul Goldsmith | 1981 | |
| Rhubarb Company devised Cast: Angela Bain, Janine Sharp and Paul Goldsmith | The Chequers Inn, Cutnall Green | 1981 |
| Hanging About Company devised Director: Andy Andrews Cast: Angela Bain, Janine Sharp, Steven Byrne and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Mick Dunk Music/sound: Written by the company | 1981 | |
| Simple Simon Company devised Cast: Ronan Paterson, Angela Bain and others | Toured in West Midlands | Dec 81 – Feb 82 |
| Late Of This Parish Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Alun Bond Cast: Amanda Carlton, Ronan Paterson, Dianne Hancock and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Antony Waterman | Apr – May 82 | |
| Harlequinade Company devised Cast: Roger Beaumont, Simon Slater and Mandy Carlton | 1982 | |
| An Evening with Travato and Phibbs Company devised Cast: Roger Beaumont and Simon Slater | 1982 | |
| Dick Turpin Company devised Director: Roger Beaumont Cast: Simon Slater, Lynn Whitehead, Dianne Hancock, Andy Andrews, Alison Altman and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Philip Swift Music/sound: Simon Slater | 52 performances in village halls, schools, community centres and town halls across Warwickshire, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire | Dec 82 – Feb 83 |
| Titus Gusset’s Illuminating Histories Company devised Director: Alun Bond Cast: Lynn Whitehead, Peter Cann, Andy Andrews, Alison Altman and Paul Goldsmith Music/sound: Philip Swift/Sharon Consterdine/Sophie Doncaster | 1983 | |
| Beauty and the Beast Company devised Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Hilary Ellis, Lynn Whitehead, Peter Cann, Andy Andrews, Robert Swinton and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Lou Gray/Julie Henri/Antony Waterman Music/sound: Lynn Whitehead | 45 performances in village halls, schools, community centres, a college, a cinema and Hartlebury castle | Dec 83 – Feb 84 |
| One Man Went To Mow Company devised Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Andy Andrews | Mar 84 | |
| The Shivered Glass Company devised Director: Peter Cann Cast: Alison Altman and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Bim Hopewell | Toured in 84 and later broadcast on BBC Shropshire Oct 87 | 1984 |
| The Black Quarter Company devised Director: Peter Cann Cast: Hilary Ellis, Lynn Whitehead and Rob Swinton Designer: Antony Waterman Music/sound: Lynn Whitehead | 1984 | |
| Tales from the Wobbley Road Company devised Director: Peter Cann Cast: Barbara Darnley, Heather Bennett Williams, Steve Johnstone, Mark Sinatra and Melanie Sharp Designer: Jill Muirhead Music/sound: Mark Sinatra | Jul – Aug 84 | |
| A Concert Party Company devised Cast: Hilary Ellis, Joyce Springer, Andy Andrews, Sandra Slinger and Paul Goldsmith | Autumn 84 | |
| Malice in Wonderland Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Hilary Ellis, Joyce Springer, Andy Andrews, Alan Rivett, Sandra Slinger and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Jill Muirhead/Mavis Taylor Music/sound: Paul Goldsmith | Toured locally | Dec 84 – Feb 85 |
| Knock After Dark Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann Cast: Diane Hancock, , Joyce Springer, Andy Andrews and Alan Rivett Designer: Jill Muirhead Music/sound: Paul Goldsmith | Toured locally and Lincolnshire | Mar – Apr 85 |
| The Red Barrows Company devised Writer/company devised | Outdoor show at fetes | Summer 85 |
| Macbeth Writer: Shakespeare | Outdoor show at fetes | Summer 85 |
| Acting Suspiciously Writer: Andy Andrews Director: Jonathan Cross Cast: Sheila Young, Alan Rivett, Diana Cox, Andy Andrews, Jonathan Cross and Paul Goldsmith Designer: Antony Waterman | Oct 85 – Apr 86 | |
| The Singing Stone Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann/Jonathan Cross Cast: Sheila Young, Heather Bennett Williams, Diana Cox, Bobby Colvill and Kenneth Bryans Designer: Jill Muirhead Music/sound: Heather Bennett Williams | Toured locally | Dec 85 – Feb 86 |
| The Complete Works Company devised | Toured locally, Lincolnshire and Humberside | Spring 86 |
| Bone Harvest Writer: Penny O’Connor Director: Peter Cann Cast: Sheila Young, Heather Bennett Williams, Steve Johnstone, Sally Freeman and Bobby Colvill Designer: Claudia Mayer Music/sound: Robin Grant | Autumn 86 | |
| Goldilocks and the Three Bears Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann Cast: Sheila Young, Heather Bennett Williams, Steve Johnstone, Sally Freeman, Dustin Hofmann and Kenneth Bryans Designer: Lou Gray/Antony Waterman/Fiona Webster Music/sound: Heather Bennett Williams/Steve Johnstone | Toured locally | Dec 86 – Feb 87 |
| Burning Out Writer: John Nash Director: Steve Johnstone | Autumn 87 | |
| All Quiet On The Western Front Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann Cast: Steve Johnstone Designer: Jill Muirhead | Toured locally, Edinburgh Fringe and toured Ireland twice | |
| Return of the Pied Piper Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann Cast: Frances Land, Heather Bennett-Williams, Ricky jones, Melanie Sharp and Howard Titley Designer: Jill Muirhead Music/sound: Heather Bennett-Williams/Melanie Sharp | Toured locally | Dec 87 – Feb 88 |
| Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys Writer: Peter Cann Director: Peter Cann Cast: Colin Campbell, Heather Bennett-Williams and Arthur Short Designer: Penny Griffin Music/sound: Julian Benjamin | 1988 | |
| The Ballad of Johnny Reece Company devised | 1988 | |
| Keeper’s Bitter Writer: John Mash Director: Peter Cann | Oct – Nov 88 | |
| Sleeping Beauty Writer: Peter Cann Director: Steve Johnstone | Toured locally | Dec 88 – Feb 89 |
Interviewee reference: Sue Dunderdale, Jonathan Cross, Peter Cann and Steve Johnstone were interviewed by Stephen Abbott for Pentabus in 2015. If you would like to see edited transcripts or listen to the interviews please contact Pentabus –
info@pentabus.co.uk
Existing archival material: Held by Shropshire Archives, Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY1 2AQ
Bibliography:
Shropshire Archive 8872/4/1/1 Press cuttings Apr-Oct 1974
Shropshire Archive 8872/4/1/2 Press cuttings 1984-9
Shropshire Archive 8872/9/2 Duplicate set of programmes 1975-2013
Shropshire Archive 8872/2/59/7 Dragon’s Teeth: booker’s pack
Links:
ATV special made in 1980
Pentabus website
Shropshire Archives
Acknowledgements: This page was constructed primarily by Mike Price with the assistance of Jessica Higgs, Stephen Abbott and Pentabus. Thank you to Sue Dunderdale for her contributions.