Established in 2006, led by Artistic Director Rachael Savage, Vamos Theatre is the UK’s leading Full mask theatre company. Since 12-13 our work has reached 183,600+ people, including over 165,000 audiences, and more than 18,500 through our learning & participation programmes (figures to March 2021), including increasingly through digital formats as we respond to the Covid-19 pandemic.
A leader in new writing, Vamos Theatre’s trademark style marries full mask with strong visual design and an original soundtrack. We produce theatre of exceptional quality and meaning: accessible, humorous, human and fearless. Rooted strongly in social research and based on real life stories, our productions are created in consultation with members of the public, such as veterans living with Post Traumatic Stress and people living with dementia, who generously share their knowledge and experience of particular issues with us.
Vamos Theatre tours full mask theatre to venues locally, regionally, nationally, as well as performing at national and international festivals and events. Via our extensive programme of participation & learning, we share our skills in schools, with NHS staff, in care homes, with teachers, actors, carers, social workers, the Deaf community, business leaders and more – engaging people creatively with full mask theatre and the powerful issues our work addresses. Our full mask characters entertain at festivals and celebrations, continuing to increase our reach outside of traditional theatre spaces whilst bringing fun and cheek to events nationwide.
"It’s essential theatre... and it makes a difference. It’s not to be missed...under any circumstances." BBC Radio Shropshire
Vamos Theatre is in an exciting period of change, as an Arts Council England funded National Portfolio Organisation for 2018-23, and as we develop ambitious new programmes of work and extend our work into an increasing variety of contexts.
Our 2020-21 activity was hugely affected by the Covid-19 Pandemic yet it was an incredibly productive and creative year. We were dynamic in finding delivery solutions to many of our programmes and responding to the needs of communities. Digital innovation became core to our operation and necessity accelerated our earlier plans into reality. This helped to grow our audiences exponentially and extend our reach nationally and internationally.
Recent highlights include:
a BBC Culture in Quarantine Commission to create How Hard is Waving?
working closely with the health care sector to develop and tour Covid-safe production, Love Through Double Glazing.
developing GP training responding to the challenges of Covid-19: Communicating Through Covid Times.
Creating a new Walkabout Theatre act via Zoom with a leading Producer in China and local emerging artists.
Our future plans include:
National and International Touring – a retour of Dead Good in 2022 and a new production in 2023.
Learning & Participation – talent development of emerging artists from a diverse range of backgrounds, a new digital learning programme, work with schools/colleges and teachers, with business leaders and more.
Health, Wellbeing & Social Care - work with NHS staff, in care homes and with end-of-life settings, training and performances.
Walkabout Theatre – continuing to build our profile and develop new audiences, international artist development
