ABOUT US
Formed in 2024, our work embodies the power of theatre to be innovative, courageous and resonant - and above all how it can be centred on the experiences of the people and communities that inspire and make it.
We offer training, skills development, mentoring and learning - and above all the chance for people from County Durham to make world class theatre. Over the next decade our work will connect with venues, festivals, community centres across the world - where we will present new projects that tell the stories found within this rich county.
OUR ROOTS
We’re led by Mark Dornford-May and draw on his inspirational work with Isango Ensemble, a Theatre company rooted within the Townships of Cape Town (South Africa) and winning wide acclaim through touring the world.
From our home in Horden Methodist Church, Co Durham, we offer a platform of hope, expression and positive change, amplifying unheard voices and harnessing untapped potential within our communities.
Ensemble ‘84 is proud to be a key part of ‘Into the Light’ a transformative programme that will drive long-lasting growth in County Durham through creative collaboration. Over the next three years, it will cultivate talent, widen access to creative education, enhance skills, and break down barriers in the creative industries.
WHY ENSEMBLE ‘84?
Why Ensemble '84? Our name resonates with the spirit of 1984, a pivotal year in the UK marked by the Miners' Strikes—a defining moment for thousands of workers. Precisely 40 years on, we aim to embody the essence of hope, resistance, and above all, community solidarity.
Ensemble ‘84 is just beginning…..
OUR HISTORY
You can chart our history through 3 defining areas:
1
Joan Littlewood - the major influence on theatre and social change
Joan Littlewood, a visionary pioneer of British theatre, epitomises boundless creativity and social consciousness. Renowned for her avant-garde approach, Littlewood revolutionised theatrical norms, breathing life into forgotten spaces and marginalised voices. Her Theatre Workshop became a beacon of innovation, embracing community engagement and breaking down barriers between performers and audiences. With groundbreaking productions like "Oh, What a Lovely War!" she fearlessly tackled political and societal issues, igniting dialogue and provoking change. Littlewood's legacy inspires our new theatre company to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and use the stage as a platform for profound storytelling and societal reflection.
2
Isango Ensemble - the transformative model from which our work connects
Isango Ensemble is a dynamic theatre company based in Khayelitsha, one of the largest townships in Cape Town, South Africa. Over the last 20 years Isango has captivated global audiences with its innovative productions that blend new work and Western classics with African music and storytelling. Founded by Mark Dornford-May and musical director Pauline Malefane, Isango Ensemble has garnered international critical acclaim for its pioneering methodology of theatre making, its unique interpretations of timeless productions such as "Carmen" and "The Magic Flute” and its groundbreaking new political work such as” SS Mendi” and “ A Man of Good Hope” Through their fusion of opera, dance, and indigenous music, Isango Ensemble celebrates African culture while engaging with universal themes of love, loss, and redemption.
3
The Durham 2025 City of Culture Bid - an invitation to connect
In 2023, we were invited to shape the cultural landscape of the Durham 2025 Programme. Our offer was resolute: to explore the transformative impact of theatrical expression amidst the unique historical, social, and geography of the region. Though the City of Culture Award went to Bradford - our commitment to Durham has remained. Through the dedication and commitment of our partners, Ensemble ‘84 has found roots in the East of Durham
Ensemble ‘84 was born.