For Elysium Theatre, theatre is not something that should be confined to major cities; it is something that should exist within communities, wherever they are.
Founded with a passion for regional storytelling, the company has built its identity around the North. “Regional theatre at its best puts down roots,” they explain. “It lodges itself in its community and builds a dialogue with it.” That connection is central to their work. “You are communicating with your audience, having an extended conversation with them,” they add, describing a process in which performances grow and deepen over time. For Elysium, this relationship is what makes regional theatre so powerful, with work shaped not only by those on stage, but also by the communities experiencing it.
Touring lies at the heart of that mission. Rather than expecting audiences to travel, the company brings theatre directly to them, performing everywhere from major venues to working men’s clubs and rural community spaces. “We are about bringing theatre to people, not asking them to come to us,” they say. It is also about breaking down barriers. Theatre is “often inaccessible to the majority,” they argue, something Elysium is determined to challenge. By performing in both traditional and unconventional spaces, the company ensures its work reaches audiences who might otherwise feel excluded from the arts.
This approach has a tangible impact, particularly for younger audiences. During a recent tour of ‘Othello’, many students experienced live theatre for the first time. “Some had never set foot in a theatre at all,” they reflect. “Why should it be that theatre is not an option for young people?” For the company, access to theatre should be a given, not a privilege. These first encounters are central to Elysium’s mission, sparking curiosity and showing young people that theatre is something they can connect with and enjoy.
Beyond performance, education and community work are essential. “Theatre has the ability to change lives,” they say. Through workshops and school partnerships, they aim to make it feel immediate and exciting. Shakespeare becomes something to experience, not just analyse – “a living, breathing thing that can fire audiences up.” This focus on participation helps dispel the idea of theatre as distant or academic, presenting it instead as something active and accessible.
As the company approaches its tenth anniversary, its ambitions continue to grow, but the mission remains simple: to bring inspirational theatre to people, wherever they are.
For further information about Elysium and their upcoming productions, head to elysiumtc.co.uk.
