News: events

Every month our Artistic Director/CEO, Andy, is hosting an online Question and Answer session exploring the work of Geese and the broader arts in criminal justice sector. The sessions have been attended by a wide range of practitioners, artists, students and other people interested in discovering more about the work from all over the world. Each month Andy will focus on a theme which has either been requested or which he thinks will be of value for attendees, and then of course the session will be shaped by the questions he's asked.

The next session:
Monday 24th August, 2pm-3.30pm

The sessions are very informal you can drop in as you wish. They are also free!

To book your place simply send an email to: info@geese.co.uk.

You can now book your tickets for our unique and dynamic Introductory Workshop - a rare opportunity to experience our work, ask our practitioners a question and learn more about our methodology.

Find out more and book tickets here!

The workshop takes place on Monday 8th April 2019 at 2pm.

Registration for our next free Introduction to Geese workshop is now open.

Date:  Thursday 03 May 2018, 2pm

Venue:  Woodbridge House, Moseley, Birmingham

For more information, click here

We will be delivering a post-show discussion following the below performance of Our Country's Good on 23rd May 2018 at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Wednesday 23rd May 2018 - 19:30

Venue: Birmingham Repertory Theatre

Presented by A Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, in co-production with Ramps on the Moon.

Both a comedy and a powerful drama, Our Country's Good shows us how we can escape the chains that bind us.

In 1787, ships each with over 700 convicts on board set sail on an eight month voyage. When they arrive in Australia, their survival is by no means certain: supplies are running out, the convicts are stealing food or trying to escape and the guards are threatening mutiny.

Our Country's Good tells the extraordinary true story of a group of convicts and a young officer who rehearse and perform a play - Australia's first theatrical production. With opposition from the officers and a leading lady who may be hanged, the odds are stacked against them.

This is a great opportunity to hear about our work delivering theatre-based projects in prison settings. Our CEO Andy will provide a fascinating insight into a theatre world that is often hidden and discuss the modern challenges and opportunities that we face. There will also be a brief demonstration of our work.

Tickets are available from the REP website we are pleased to be able to offer tickets for £10 - just use the code COUNTRYGEESE at checkout.

The code is only valid for the 23rd May performance, and there is a limit of two tickets per person
This production of Our Country's Good is presented by A Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, in co-production with Ramps on the Moon.  Geese are not performing, we will be presenting the post show discussion only.

Geese is turning 30 and as part of a series of special events,  we will be hosting The Art of Recovery - a symposium exploring the value of the arts in recovery - at the Hexagon Theatre, mac Birmingham on 09 May 2018.

The Art of Recovery

Wednesday 09 May 2018 - 1:15pm to 4:00pm

Venue: Hexagon Theatre, mac Birmingham

What is the value of the arts for people in recovery? What do people in recovery contribute to the arts? 

1:30pm - Geese Theatre Company's community ensemble, Staging Recovery, will start the symposium with a performance, followed by a Q&A with the cast
2:15pm - break
2:30pm - Paul Bayes Kitcher will introduce the work of Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
2:50pm - in discussion with a Staging Recovery ensemble member
3:00pm - panel discussion exploring the value of arts for people in recovery, and what people in recovery can contribute to the arts. Confirmed panel: Paul Bayes Kitcher(Fallen Angels Dance Theatre), Andy Watson (Geese Theatre Company), Carly Jones(SIFA Fireside) and Vicky Price (Wolverhampton Grand Theatre)

This is a free event but with limited capacity, so we advise you reserve your place now by clicking here.  When booking tickets, there will be an opportunity to submit a question for the panel.

Panel Members

Paul Bayes Kitcher 
Artistic Director,
Fallen Angels Dance Theatre
Previously a dancer for Scottish Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet, in 2011 Paul founded Fallen Angels Dance Theatre. Paul delivers participatory projects within addiction/recovery rehabilitation, community settings and criminal justice settings. 

Vicky Price
Associate Director,
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Vicky began her career at The Birmingham Rep and moved to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre in 2009 where she is now Associate Director of Development and Communications.  The Grand are currently working in partnership with Geese and the Haven, Wolverhampton, delivering a creative project with women who have experience of domestic abuse.

Andy Watson
CEO, 
Geese Theatre Company
Andy joined Geese Theatre Company in 1997 and became Artistic Director in 2003. He is the current Vice-Chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and sits on the Women's Prison Estate Advisory Group. Andy received an MBE for services to the arts in Criminal Justice in the 2018 New Year's Honours. 

Carly Jones
CEO,
SIFA Fireside
Carly has more than twelve years’ experience in the voluntary sector at local, national and international organisations that support some of society’s most marginalised groups. She is currently CEO at SIFA Fireside which assists homeless and vulnerably housed adults in Birmingham.