The Common Players mission is to bring arts to rural communities and to thread creative activity into rural life.
It has been a busy year for the company. We are a small charity and we have to continually find innovative ways of working in a competitive funding environment. We have changed how we operate at the same time as delivering two successful projects, and we are pleased to have secured increased support from Devon County Council to support our work.
Ciderwithroadies has entered its second year of activity with a new outdoor performance touring with Pomona our apple press, and we have enjoyed a great collaboration with Exmoor National Park creating an original theatre performance with them to tour the Exmoor area.
We also welcome a new group of Common Players Creative Associates. Our associates are professional artists who have been involved in company work in recent years. The ambition is for this group to become the creative powerhouse of the company. Our former Artistic Director, Anthony Richards will be convening this group for the next few years, to encourage fresh perspectives on how to create high quality original arts work for and with rural communities.
Working with new partners is always interesting and we are talking to The Jurassic Coast, Exeter Cathedral, and a consortium of playgroups around the region to develop new activities for the forthcoming years.
As chair of trustees I hope you enjoy reading this annual report from Common Players, a small and dynamic regional arts charity.
