HISTORY
2018
Artistic Director Simon Paris sets up The Lab Workshops developing his own craft and supporting actors with their acting technique, the future SIAS? Company directors all attend
Simon meets with Oskar Mcarthy, Nozstock festival’s Arts & Culture programmer
He commissions Simon to direct a game-based, walkabout show for Nozstock that year.
Simon invites actors Rhys Tees, Guido Garcia Lueches and Louise Goodfield to devise a show.
Interactive art show Easel Peasel is created.
The team decide on their mission: to connect people to their inner artist
Ben Mann from Mann Bros. Media is invited to film/capture the hilarity.
Easel Peasel is a success at Nozstock starring Simon, Rhys, Tom Blake and Louise
Due to its success, Oskar invites the team to create a bigger interactive show for Noz 2019.
Easel Peasel heads to Wilderness Festival with Simon, Rhys, Ben Mann and Louise.
2019
The core team meet every Monday at Blighty Cafe in Tottenham.
Actor and Improv Queen Trynity Silk & Writer Josh King join the team.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? emerges.
The show is a new concept of casting the audience in the play from start to finish.
Design Student Jack Lowerson is invited to intern with the company.
The team heads to Special Guest putting their company name into the hands of the audience.
‘Say It Again, Sorry?’ is chosen by the audience as the name of the company.
The company uses Rafe Beckley’s Open Book Theatre Management System as a guideline.
Rafe Beckley is the first person to invest money into the development of the show.
The company begin its flagship Open Rehearsal initiative, inviting emerging and established creatives into the room for free, to observe and participate.
Easel Peasel secures sponsorship from leading art supplier CASS ART.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? previews at The Pleasance Theatre, Islington.
“Long live this bonkers form of audience participation,” says Culture Fly
TIOBE is adapted into a one-hour show for Nozstock Festival, a roaring success.
Easel Peasel performs at Nozstock Festival and Glastonbury Festival.
Easel Peasel is invited to take part in The Big Draw at Arts Depot. London
Say It Again, Sorry? plan for a 2020 tour of The Importance of Being… Earnest?
The company successfully raise investment to take Earnest? on tour
2020
The Importance of Being…Earnest? opens at The Omnibus Theatre
Receives four and five stars across the board
‘A masterclass in comedic theatre’ North West End UK
Covid :/
All theatres close.
2021
Easel Peasel is commissioned by Vehicle Arts to develop a covid-safe version to perform in Leicester.
Easel Peasel secures sponsorship from leading art supplier Hobbycraft.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? opens a new covid-safe version at Brighton Fringe Festival
More five-star reviews!
The Importance of Being… Earnest? debuts at The Pleasance EICC in August.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? is an official Edfringe Sell Out.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? wins a DEREK AWARD for BEST COMEDY.
Say It Again, Sorry? develop Not Our Play a script written anonymously by the public.
A work-in-progress of Not Our Play runs at The Rosemary Branch Theatre.
Not Our Play is booked to perform at VAULT Festival
VAULT Festival cancels
2022
Tickets go on sale for The Importance of Being… Earnest? at Pleasance Courtyard for EdFringe Festival.
The Importance of Being… Earnest? Listed in The Scotsman as one of the first Edfringe shows to go on sale alongside Nina Conti and The Showstoppers.