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Joint Stock Theatre Company

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The Joint Stock Theatre Company was founded in London 1974 by David Hare, Max Stafford-Clark Paul Kember and David Aukin. The director William Gaskill was also part of the company. It was primarily a company which presented new plays.

Joint Stock created a style of working with writers using company research to inspire workshops. From these workshops writers such as David Hare, Howard Brenton and Caryl Churchill would gather material to inspire a writing phase before rehearsals began. This methodology is sometimes referred to as The Joint Stock Method. Significant productions include Hare's Fanshen, Brenton's Epsom Downs, Stephen Lowe's Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and Churchill's Cloud Nine.

The company ceased to be active in 1989. In 1993 Max Stafford-Clark founded the touring company Out of Joint which shares some working practices with Joint Stock.

Productions

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Production Writer Venue Year
The Speakers adapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker' Birmingham Repertory Studio and tour 1974
Shivvers by Stanley Eveling Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs 1974
X by Barry Reckord Theatre Upstairs and Royal Court 1974
Fourth Day Like Four

Long Months of Absence

by Colin Bennett Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs 1974
Doomduckers Ball a company adaptation based on

an idea by Neil Johnston

Oval House and Theatre Upstairs 1975
Fanshen by David Hare, adapted from

William Hinton

Crucible Studio Theatre and Sheffield 1975
Yesterday’s News Company devised West End Centre and Theatre Upstairs 1976
Light Shining in

Buckinghamshire

Caryl Churchill Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs 1976
The Speakers (revival) adapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker' International tour 1976
Devil’s Island Tony Bicât Sherman Theatre and Royal Court 1977
A Thought in Three Parts Wallace Shawn ICA 1977
A Mad World, My Masters Barrie Keeffe Young Vic and Roundhouse 1977
Epsom Downs Howard Brenton Roundhouse 1977
The Glad Hand Snoo Wilson Royal Court Theatre 1978
The Ragged Trousered

Philanthropists

Stephen Lowe, based on the book by Robert Tressell Plymouth Arts Centre and Riverside Studios 1978
Cloud Nine Caryl Churchill Dartington College of the Arts 1979
The House David Halliwell Dartington Hall 1979
An Optimistic Thrust Company devised Nuffield Studio Theatre 1980
Cloud Nine (revival) Caryl Churchill Royal Court 1980
Say Your Prayers Nick Darke College of St. Mark and St. John 1981
Borderline Hanif Kureishi Jackson’s Lane Community Centre and Royal Court Theatre 1981
Deadlines Stephen Wakelam Royal Court & Crucible Theatre, Sheffield 1985
Sanctuary Ralph Brown Drill Hall & Salisbury Playhouse 1987

[1]

References

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  1. ^ "Joint Stock – Unfinished Histories". www.unfinishedhistories.com. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  • Ritchie, R. (ed.) (1987), The Joint Stock Book: Making of a Theatre Collective, London: Methuen, ISBN 0-413-41030-7
  • Stafford-Clark, M., and P. Roberts (2007), Taking Stock: The Theatre of Max Stafford-Clark, London: Nick Hern Books, ISBN 1-85459-840-6
  • Baz Kershaw, "Building an unstable pyramid - the fragmentation of British alternative theatre", in New Theatre Quarterly, Volume XI, no. 36, November 1993; pp. 348-356.

External reference

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