Joe Spurgeon, Editor of Venue, and Emma Bettridge, Director of Pulse Fringe Festival, appointed at Bristol Old Vic
As Bristol Old Vic's biannual Ferment Festival enters its second week, Emma Stenning, Bristol Old Vic's Executive Director, today announced some key changes to the staff team.
After three successful years developing a host of inspiring work and artists, Ferment Producer Kate Yedigaroff is leaving Bristol Old Vic to establish MAYK, a new independent producing company, with long-time collaborator Matthew Austin. MAYK will continue to produce Mayfest, the annual festival of contemporary theatre, alongside other projects with artists and organisations throughout the year.
Emma Bettridge has been appointed as the new Ferment Producer. Emma has worked extensively with artists around the region. She is currently the director of the Pulse Fringe Festival in Ipswich, as well as an associate reader for the Soho Theatre, a consultant for East to Edinburgh (ACE East initiative) and Peer Reviewer for the Wellcome Trust. Prior to this she tour-managed Gecko's international tour of The Overcoat, produced the national tour of My Name is Sue and ran the Pleasance London and Edinburgh Programmes.
Joe Spurgeon, Editor of Venue, has also been appointed at Bristol Old Vic to the new position of Marketing Manager. Joe is an experienced editor, journalist and project manager, and has been at Venue for the last six years, as well as working for The Stage and Fest - the must-have guide for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Emma Stenning, Executive Director, said: ‘We're completely delighted that Emma and Joe are joining our team. They both have a tremendous passion for supporting artists and demonstrated a real hunger to work with Bristol Old Vic. Emma and Joe will be working alongside the full staff team towards the reopening of our refurbished theatre, the continued success of Bristol Ferment and attracting even more people to Bristol Old Vic".
Notes to editors
1. Kate Yedigaroff and Matthew Austin are the Artistic Directors of Mayfest, the acclaimed city-wide festival. Their new production company, MAYK will produce Mayfest in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic, and will also stage ambitious live events with inspiring artists throughout the year. 2012 sees them beginning to initiate new projects and form new partnerships with artists and audiences from Bristol and beyond.
2. Ferment is Bristol Old Vic's artist development programme. Through Ferment, Bristol Old Vic works with the vibrant community of theatre-makers from Bristol and the South West to support and develop the most exciting and adventurous new work.
3. Bristol Old Vic is undergoing a major multi-million pound redevelopment. The first phase of the development will be completed in summer 2012, when the building with reopen with a newly refurbished Georgian auditorium, Paintshop and backstage areas, making the experience of seeing world-class theatre richer and more comfortable and in an environment which celebrates the theatre's 250 year history. Bristol Old Vic is about to commence fundraising for the second phase of the redevelopment which will refurbish the front of house and studio spaces.
4. As part of Bristol Old Vic's commitment to attracting new audiences, last summer's open air production of Treasure Island, Bristol Old Vic's biggest show of the century, attracted over 24,000 people, while the epic production Coram Boy at Colston Hall was seen by 17,500 people over a ten day period this Christmas.
