Janus Theatre Company

Janus Theatre Company was formed in 2005 by ex-members of The Debut Theatre Company and RTP. Our company's membership spans Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire and Sussex with our main base in Woking, Surrey.

Debut previously performed Calamity Jane (2002) and Big, The Musical (2003) at the Rhoda McGaw Theatre, Woking.

In April 2004 as RTP we set off on the shock n’roll highway with “Hedwig and The Angry Inch”. From big dreams but humble beginnings we began our “Atrocity Tour” at The Brighton Fringe Festival, followed by an award winning stint at The Edinburgh Fringe. It was whilst ‘tearing down’ venues across the UK that we were spotted by an Italian promoter who whisked cast and crew over to Italy for a 2 week run at a central Milan theatre.

Hedwig attracted audiences from all corners of the globe including Japan, Italy, Spain and the USA. A slightly bemused cast even found themselves thrust from modest day jobs to the heady and exhilarating world of groupies, signing autographs, throwing TVs out of hotel windows and wrecking the mini bars (okay, the last two are an exaggeration but the bit about fans and autographs is true).

The tour was covered in both local and national press and was met with critical and audience acclaim.

"More of a professional production than a fringe performance - the voices, costumes, band and rock concert sound could all have come straight from the West End" claimed one happy punter. Another flabbergasted audience member who had flown in from San Francisco to see our production emailed to say,

"I came expecting run of the mill fringe theatre and you gave me better than Broadway"

At Edinburgh we not only achieved a sell out show and a fringe award but also gained 5 star reviews. Not bad for a group of people taking a break from their day jobs for their first foray as performers at the fringe!

We are about to give more ‘Hed’ to the masses a bit nearer to home in the coming months. Hedwig & The Angry Inch Wicked Little Towns mini Tour will be performed at New Greenham Arts (Saturday 8th October), Mill Studio Guildford (Thursday 13th – Saturday 15th October), Sussex Arts Club Brighton (Sunday 23rd October) and South Street Arts Reading (29th October).

Our next production in 2006 is likely to see us donning glitterboots for the outrageous futuristic musical Saucy Jacks and the Space Vixens for which we are currently actively seeking new members to audition for roles.

As a theatre company we aim to produce bold, inspiring and thought-provoking theatrical experiences exploring issues at the very heart of our human experience. We believe in taking that extra step beyond ‘amateur’ theatre and are pitching ourselves as a bridge between amateur and professional theatre. Our shows attract both equity cardholders and amateur enthusiasts alike. All members will have the chance to work alongside theatre professionals.

We are committed to forging and maintaining an outstanding ensemble of actors, directors, designers, technical personnel, and volunteers by providing training and experience in a collaborative, safe environment that allows the opportunity for mistakes and promotes artistic growth.

Through an affiliation with a local dance school (Leanne Edwards School of Theatre Arts) we can offer all members training on a variety of theatre arts-related topics conducted by invited guest speakers including Equity members, professionally trained actors and technical experts.

If you are an actor/actress, singer, musician, director, designer, technician or you wish to learn and/or improve your skills in a friendly and supportive company….we need YOU!

Active Membership costs £20 per annum.

For more information on becoming a part of Janus, please contact Steve Edwards on 07773 121 904 or see www.janustheatreco.org.