Kate Allerston only realised that Covid-19 was serious when she met Alan Titchmarsh. In March 2020, she was representing her community-focused theatre company at the Music & Drama Education Awards (MDEA) in London. A Place for Us was a nominated finalist, and when they met, instead of extending a handshake, Alan raised his elbow to greet her.
This greeting might be commonplace now but think back to those early days when the virus was only starting to become a reality, and you can see why the memory of that celebratory night might be tinged with an ominous sense of what was to come.
Happily, since then, A Place for Us has gone on to be nominated for two further awards in the same category – excellence in musical theatre. Last year they won, and Kate accepted the award with her co-artistic director Chris Bastock via video, from the safety of isolation.
A Place for Us
A Place for Us is based in the Northwest, and was born out of a collaboration between Kate and Chris – director and MD. Drawing on years of experience in the performing arts at the highest level, they established the organisation as a community interest company, meaning that they are not only a theatre company but also registered as a social enterprise, designed to use their profits for social good.
Each year they produce full-scale live performances which engage the young performers who are coming up through the ranks of their academy, and also professional performers. It is a hugely ambitious project which strives to pair West End level professionals with young actors, singers, and dancers who are just starting out. And the impact is massive.
Tackling areas of deprivation
A Place for Us is based in the borough of Halton, which comprises the towns of Runcorn and Widnes, and the surrounding area. Although the borough is only a stone's throw from the bright lights of Liverpool in one direction and Manchester in the other, this particular spot at the narrow end of the river Mersey can feel a bit forgotten.
The theatre company is a direct response to the high levels of deprivation and low levels of cultural engagement that are felt here. Their mission is to engage local young people in particular, in cultural activity that gives them confidence, raises aspiration and has a positive impact on the ‘cultural, social, and economic landscape of local communities.’
Over the threshold
One recent success story has been the astronomic rise of Will Callan – a young man who rose up through the ranks of the A Place to Be academy and has recently been touring the UK in his professional debut as Marius in Les Miserables. Kate and Chris insist that Will was born to be a star, but the opportunities that their academy was able to offer him have undoubtedly prepared him for the next step. They cast Will as the lead in a number of their productions and believe that the experience of performing with a live orchestra meant that his leap to the professional world was much easier than it might have been.
Excellence in performance is of course important to them, but that is not the only frontier the company is fighting on – engagement is the real goal. Both Kate and Chris are highly motivated by the impact they have had on young people who live just walking distance from their performance venues. Bringing them over the threshold is the most important thing for the company. Saying to young people and their families that this space is here for you, that you are invited, and encouraged to take part – whatever your skill level, academic ability or economic situation. That is the impact they strive for.
The work continues
Kate and Chris have also taken over as co-artistic directors of Norton Priory Museum and Gardens. They had mounted productions at the medieval monastery before but now they have the ability to curate a season's worth of live events in the walled garden, and natural woodland theatre space – opening up the door to even more young people.
One major factor in cementing this recent appointment was winning an award at 2021's Music and Drama Education Awards. It was this award that gave their work the seal of approval, the rubber stamp to secure the next stage of their project, and off the back of this national recognition, they were offered the post at Norton Priory.
They are looking forward to attending this year's awards ceremony in person, and hoping for their second award in as many years. This will mean that they can continue their brilliant work which is, as their local MP put it, is all about making world class theatre, in a working-class community.