With 2017 now a distant memory, it’s fair to say troublehouse have been hard at work since the start of the New Year. Following the success of ‘The Terminal Velocity of a Snowflake’ at the Live Theatre in Newcastle, Heather returned to Manchester to direct three performances as part of Take Back Theatre’s ‘Ten Takes on Shelter.

Take Back Theatre are a Manchester based company who commission urgent, short script-in-hand pieces of theatre, in response to the current housing crisis in the North. Thirty actors rehearsed for one day with three directors ahead of a sell-out evening performance which raised over £700 for two local housing charities.

At the moment, Heather is currently busy on a project with Cloud Nine theatre called ‘Rainbird’ at The Exchange in North Shields, having previously worked with them on ‘Death at Dawn’. Cloud Nine are based in the North East and are committed to supporting and promoting the work of Northern writers – something which is right up our (cobbled) street! In collaboration with local artists, ‘Rainbird’ focuses on the life of acclaimed North Shields painter Victor Noble and runs from 23rd-28th April at The Exchange, North Shields.

Rick, on the other hand, has stayed in the North West and is the current course leader for the Adult Acting course at The Lowry theatre, Salford Quays. Working with a class of eighteen students, Rick has been running weekly workshops on the importance of character development.

It has been a fantastic experience, not only watching the class improve as the weeks go by but also watching each individual begin to challenge themselves and their own self beliefs as their confidence grows.

From script work and character analysis, to breathing and posture, the course covers all the bases and will conclude with a final showcase to invited friends and family plus the possibility of Rick returning to teach again this winter.