Past productions

The Fisherman’s Daughter – 2016 – 17

tinderbox – autumn 2015

‘A captivating twist on an original tale’

Play by Jacqueline Avery
Music by Joe Butcher

A war-torn soldier and an obstinate princess – aided by three unearthly dogs, a strange and wizened woman with a magic tinderbox – discover the unbreakable bonds of true love.

This new play gives a classic Hans Christian Andersen tale an illuminating Jurassic Coast twist, and AsOne AsCend ensemble add heart and soul dusted with humour.

‘tinderbox’ is an audio-visual treat to thrill all the family. Powerful physical storytelling; puppetry; shadow play and animated imagery – accompanied by live, original music and song – combine to create a spell-binding experience whatever your age.

AsOne AsCend ensemble is putting the magic back into family theatre.

Writer/Director Song-writer

Jacqueline Avery

Joe Butcher

Cast

– click on photos for more information

John Hatziemmanuel

Jessica Chloe Young

Laurence Aldridge

Jane McKell

‘tinderbox’ tour 2015

Friday 16 October	7.00pm	The Corn Exchange, Dorchester, Dorset	01305 266926	www.dorchestercornexchange.com
Wednesday 21 October	–	Burton Bradstock C of E Primary School	Students only
Thursday 22 October	–	St Michaels Primary School, Lyme Regis	Students only
Friday 23 October	–	Symondsbury C of E Primary School	Students only
Saturday 24 October	2.30pm	The Groundlings Theatre, Portsmouth, Hants	023 9273 7370	www.groundlings.co.uk
Wednesday 28 October	2.30pm	The Regal Theatre, Minehead, Somerset	01643 706430	www.regaltheatre.co.uk
Thursday 29 October	7.30pm	The Princess Theatre, Burnham on Sea, Somerset	01278 793099	www.princesstheatreandartscentre.co.uk
Friday 30 October	7.30 pm	The Mowlem Theatre, Swanage, Dorset	01929 422239	www.mowlemtheatre.com
Wednesday 04 November	7.00pm	The Brewhouse Theatre, Taunton, Somerset	01823 274 608	www.tauntontheatre.org.uk
Friday 06 November	7.30pm	Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, Devon	01395 576798	www.manorpavilion.com
Saturday 07 November	7.30pm	Athenaeum Centre, Warminster, Wilts	01985 213891	www.theath.org.uk
Thursday 12 November	7.30pm	Greenford Primary School, Maiden Newton, Dorset	Students only
Friday 13 November	7.30pm	Pavilion Theatre, Esplanade, Weymouth, Dorset	01305 783225	www.weymouthpavilion.com
Saturday 14 November	2.30/7.30pm	The Rondo Theatre, Bath	01225 444003	www.rondotheatre.co.uk
Friday 20 November	tbc	Hanger Farm, Totton, Southampton	023 8066 7274	www.totton.ac.uk/hanger-farm
Friday 4 December	7.30pm	Shelley Theatre, Boscombe, Dorset	01202 413 600	www.shelleytheatre.co.uk
Saturday 5 December	2.30/7.30pm	Shelley Theatre, Boscombe, Dorset	01202 413 600	www.shelleytheatre.co.

Passion – autumn 2014

Passion 2014

Passion is a much acclaimed original production. Read more about it on the “Our last tour’ page.

‘Wonderful play, amazing stories, incredible cast ‘ Pat Leech – audience member, The Omnibus Theatre, Clapham.

100 – autumn 2013

'100' 2013

Award winning AsOneTheatre Company proudly presented it newest venture 2013: AsCend Physical Theatre chosing Diene Petterle, Neil Monaghan, and Christopher Heimann’s thought provoking ‘100’ as its first touring production.

Imagine you had to choose just one memory to take into eternity, and that you would re-live that treasured memory afresh, experiencing it as for the first time over and over and over. That is what four characters are urged to do by a mysterious other – to a count of ‘100’! This singular decision turns out to be far more difficult than any can imagine. It challenges the way each have lived, loved, observed, and even valued life itself; there are implications none would have guessed. What memory would you choose?

Award winning AsOne Theatre presented its new sister company AsCend Physical Theatre with an imaginative, energetic approach to story-telling and a huge heart that will leave the audience buzzing with images, thoughts and questions. Written by Diene Petterle, Neil Monaghan and Christopher Heimann ‘100’ is an Edinburgh First winning production – realised anew by AsCend in collaboration with acclaimed director Peter John Cooper.

Directed by Jacqueline Avery and Peter John Cooper

Music by Simon Swarbrick

Animation by Thomas Hughes

AsCend is touring late September through to late November 2013, and would love to come to your theatre. We also offer an optional audience Q & A post-performance; this comes at no extra-cost.

Our Final Performance of the tour is now upon us!

21st November 013 – Weymouth Pavilion Theatre, Weymouth, Dorset Box Office: 01305 783225 www.weymouthpavilion.com

There is a planned National Tour in Spring 2015

If we have already performed at your theatre we are always keen to return; if you have yet to see us in action we would be very excited to share ‘100’ with your audiences.

Programmers – Tel: 01305 835541 for more information

‘100’ – Fringe First Winner 2002

‘… this breathtaking piece of theatre. I do believe I will remember it, in both my head and my heart, all of my life. It is a tiny, huge, simple, complex play that touched me in places I didn’t even know I had. (…) This play moved me more profoundly than anything I can remember seeing in theatre..’ The Scotsman, Edinburgh

The Cast

: Mainga Mayeya

: Ellis J Wells

: Maya Aitken

: Jacqueline Avery

: Jane McKell

Photographs from the technical rehearsal – click on a thumbnail to launch a slideshow.

: ‘100’ 2013

The Cabinet Makers Daughter – 2012

The Cabinet Maker's Daughter 2012

The Cabinet Maker’s Daughter is a much acclaimed original production.

“compelling and powerful – brilliant acting”

This new play by Peter J Cooper portayed the life and final moments of the renowned 19th Century fossil hunter from Dorset – Mary Anning. It completed its 21 date tour on 16 November at the Bridport Arts Centre. The final three theatres played to capacity houses and overall represented one of the best audience take ups and responses to any of our productions to date.

She Opened The Door – 2010-2011

She Opened the Door 2010/2011

She Opened the Door! is an original play by Peter John Cooper based around the women in the life of Thomas Hardy and how they may have influenced the characters in his books – the wife, the mother and the other woman.

It successfully toured 15 theatres, starting at the 2010 International Thomas Hardy Festival in the Corn Exchange Dorchester and culminating in a rerprise performance in the garden of Hardy’s Home Max Gate – where the play was set.

“Sure to become a theatrical treasure of the future” – Dorset Echo.

A book of the play is now available on Amazon by Roving Press.

Hey Baby – 2009

Hey Baby 2009

Hey Baby! is a magical piece of story telling in the hands of playwright Nell Denton which has the unmistakable ring of truth. Based on real stories from five very different Portland couples as they journey into parenthood. Evoking a truly unique but universal experience, the play, directed by Peter Cooper, toured five counties during the Spring and Autumn 2009 .

Lets Do It -2007-2008

Let's Do It 2007/2008

Yet another new piece of theatre – AsOne Theatre’s devised magical mix of memories, music and projected image, Lets Do It! sparkled with much-loved songs and anecdotes from the brilliant minds of Noel Coward and Cole Porter, evoking five decades.

Evergreen Noel Coward and Cole Porter remain two of the wittiest and intelligent of 20th century composers and lyricists of revue/musical theatre. Their stories and music is inter-linked by photographs and film evoking contrasting times of gaiety and depression.

A String of Pearls – 2005

A String of Pearls 2005

A String of Pearls is an evocative human drama with music as a beating heart, a celebration of World War II through the eyes of women; the second in a series of two productions, this time commemorating and celebrating VE Day.

A String of Pearls toured from the end of April until late June 2005 in Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire. It is an original project, the culmination of 18 month’s research and collation by As One Productions using more than 200 original WWII memories – sent from all over the UK – the stimulus for a story of three sisters with very different lives and goals. The sisters go on a journey of discovery whilst packing up their deceased Grandma’s possessions. What they learn about themselves is more than matched by what they learn about Grandma.

A thrilling string of stories about all kinds of women; the trailblazers, the homemakers, the brave, the frightened, the young innocents and the worldly-wise with one common denominator; an indomitable spirit… and Grandma certainly has the last word. This production sees the very experienced, singer/actress Giselle Summers joining as performer/joint musical director/vocal arranger.

In the Mood 2004

In 2004, In the Mood was a multi-media tribute to D Day featuring Glenn Miller, Andrew’s Sisters, Vera Lynn and Judy Garland, linked by living memories from survivors of turbulent days. Devised by As One out of an original idea from Artistic Director, Jane McKell, In the Mood – with its rich three part harmonies, nostalgia and gritty story telling – has proved a big hit; touring until November 04, a springboard to As One’s new Spring 05 show. The company was joined by choreographer/performer, Antoinette Woolven.

Circle of Life 2002/2003

AsOne Theatre Company have been touring the South West with performances ranging from Fantasy and Freedom, a crafted compilation West End and Broadway Musicals show to their original musical revue, Circle of Life, a wry look at life in word, picture and song. Lorraine Rowan was performer/joint musical director.