Formed in Leeds in 1997 Unlimited is what happens when the artists Clare Duffy, Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe make new work together.
With leadership from Jon as artistic director, our work is always co-created with equal partnership in the creative process and in collaboration with an expanding pool of associate artists, scientists, technologists and educators. At its heart is a sincere engagement with its audience both in the process and moment of (co)creation.
Our work is always for live performance most often happening in theatres. Increasingly however, our work is being made with a ‘cross-platform curiosity’ – that is, with a desire to make and distribute the work in other places (e.g. for broadcast and on the internet) but still and always with an emphasis on the ‘liveness’ of that experience for our audiences.
"Their work is characterised by a rare ability to make connections with their audiences and unexpected situations." The Guardian
We aim to be optimistic, positive, idealistic without ignoring the fact that the world is a complicated place to live in. We like complexity and are committed to telling stories that leave room for the audience (you) to do some of the imagining (playing) for yourselves. We're committed to evolving new ideas that inspire us and you to shift our understanding of the world and our place in it.
We want to create world changing experiences.
We’re not claiming that our stories will change the world, in the sense that everything will be changed. But they will change or shift or inspire the thinking of everyone who participates. And they will have something new to take back out into the world with them. And thus the world will be changed. We don’t want to just create an entertainment. We absolutely want to change the world. For the better.
Life and world changing fun.
The subjects we explore and the processes and techniques we use to create this work are constantly developing to accommodate our personal and collective needs, desires, fascinations, obsessions, impulses and moods(wings). We're mostly committed to building sincerely collaborative and creative environments for all those who participate in our working processes to thrive in.
We take our work very seriously. We try not to take ourselves too seriously. If at all possible, we work really hard to enJOY our work.
In recent years some of our most 'successful' work has been about communicating new ideas from leading edge science and in particular "inspiring children in science". In 2011 we were very proud to be awarded the "Arts, Culture & Heritage" category award at the National Charity Awards for this work - one of the most prestigious prizes in the UK charity sector which also recognises "excellence in charity management that will inspire others." In 2011 Unlimited has also been shortlisted for the Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Achievement in Space Education & Outreach which is awarded by the British Interplanetary Society. Beginning to sound a bit like we're making it up, doesn't it?
Previous awards include two Fringe Firsts for "innovation in theatre and outstanding production" at the Edinburgh Festival and nominations in the prestigious MEN Theatre Awards.
Whenever possible we underpin our core artistic programme with a dedicated programme of outreach work, the focus of which is unlocking creativity for personal and/or professional development.
Unlimited tours extensively in the UK and has been invited to and presented work at international festivals and venues in the Republic of Ireland, Germany, Zimbabwe, The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Ukraine, Singapore and the USA. Our work has also been recorded for and broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and Chinese State television.
Welcome to the show. We're glad you could make it.
"The gifted Unlimited Theatre"
The Scotsman
"The excellent Unlimited Theatre... a company that has always combined infinite thoughtfulness with theatrical flair."
The Guardian
"Stunningly brilliant stuff"
Yorkshire Evening Post
"The UK's acclaimed Unlimited Theatre"
Los Angeles Times
"Theatre at its absolute best"
What's On Stage
"One of the most exciting theatre companies around"
The British Theatre Guide
"An inspiring company"
The Stage
"A force to be reckoned with"
The Independent