I make theatre with people. All kinds of people.
From the Royal Shakespeare Company to the Common Lot – young and old, professional and amateur, I use theatre skills to develop confidence, connect people and create great performance.
My approach is one of belief, inclusion and support.
Without the need for great expense or experience together we find the heart and the skills to make bold, original, engaging theatre about the stories that matter to us most.
From one-off workshops to supporting a project from its first conception. I can work with you as a producer, director, facilitator or performer.
Get in touch to talk about how I can help you…
My work stands on three tried and tested principles:
Everyone must benefit,
Everyone has something to offer.
We have what we need; and if we don’t, we can find it.
IMAGINED LAND
‘Imagined Land’ is a Heritage Lottery funded community project that I have set up with the Norfolk Archaeological Trust. I will be managing the project for the next 2 years. In 2017 we will be focusing on an important historical site: Tasburgh Enclosure. In 2018 we will be concentrating our efforts at Burnham Norton Friary,
This will offer opportunities for the people of the villages and children of both schools to help us research the archive, dig for archaeological evidence and in partnership with Writers Centre Norwich and other participatory artists, to develop a range creative activities in response to what we find.
The whole thing will culminate in performances and a lantern procession made with the community in the autumn. You can find out more about the project here
Come yew in!
COME YEW IN! is a collaboration with local writers, participatory artists and amateur researchers, actors and crew that will produce a free, inclusive outdoor variety show to be staged around the city’s open spaces in the Summer of this year. It’s purpose is to help Norwich people to celebrate and understand the long history of the contribution that incomers have made to our city.
Drawing inspiration from the extensive research that is now being conducted by a team of volunteers working with Anglia Ruskin University, COME YEW IN! will be high-paced historical and contemporary pastiche of original dance, song, comedy, audience participation and personal testimony.Participants will be drawn from local theatre company the Common Lot and the Norwich-based charity New Routes, who support the integration of modern-day migrants to the city.
The project is fully funded and supported by contributions from the Town Close Estate Charity, Norwich City Council, Norwich Arts Centre, The Common Lot and Anglia Ruskin University. We hope you will help us to make something together that Norwich can be proud of.
Performances will run from June 30th to July 9th 2017
Celebrating Norwich’s Medieval Past
In April I shall be working with HLF funded Flintspiration to develop “Margery’s Quest” – a family oriented live action trail that will follow the brilliant history of the anchoresses of the city, including appearances from Margery Kempe and Julian of Norwich. http://www.flintspiration.org/
1549 receives ACE funding
I am delighted to announce that I have received a grant from the Arts Council to develop 1549 as a touring show, going to rural communities early next year. I will be working with the Voice Project to teach the songs to local people and involve them in the staging of the show. The Common Lot completed its 10 date tour of open spaces in Norwich and Wymondham lastyear. A free outdoor show with a cast and crew of 60 and seen by over 3000 people. See below for more information.
Egg
Enlightening director’s breakfasts, local performers earning their morning meal and lots of silly fun with diners. Thank you for the army of doers that helped us bring off a terrific two week for the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. We also returned with EGG Café Late as part of True Stories Live at Norwich Arts Centre in August. Talk to me about booking EGG for your event.
Many more ideas and possible projects on the run. If you want to tell a story of something, someone or somewhere talk to me …
Projects
I have worked with people at all levels and in many different settings. Here are some of my more recent projects:Raining Diamonds
Karl Minns
Karl Minns is one-half of the Nimmo Twins; the bald half. He also writes for TV and radio and is quite Normal for Norfolk.
I directed Karl in his first solo show Raining Diamonds which was a sell out at Norwich Playhouse December 2015.
You can find out more about Karl here.
Egg Festival Café
Norfolk and Norwich Festival
CURRENT PROJECT
A commission from Norwich Arts Centre to set up and run a pop – up performance café for the 2 weeks of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival, supporting local and national artists in an spontaneous atmosphere of jollity, jeopardy and high jinx. EGG is available for hire – we will theme fantastic food and great performance to any occasion. Contact me to find out more. ” an inspirational, funny and yummy start to the morning.” – Caroline Jarrold, valued customer at her Director’s Breakfast
I have been very impressed in the production values and artistic outcomes Simon achieves in working mostly with non-actors – supporting their activity through appropriate directing, mentoring and involving other professional practitioners to support the artistic aims of the projects.
Lights Up!
Sheringham Little Theatre
A commission for Sheringham Carnival. Using the talents and enthusiasms of local people I produced and directed a local variety performance and charity auction, raising over £6000 for the Christmas lights appeal. Featuring stand up comedy, dance, magic, music and sketch the sell out show included contributions from the Sheringham Lifeboat Crew, the local postman and many others. The Lights Up crew now have the confidence and energy to plan another show in the autumn.
Many of us had never been on stage before. Simon gave us the belief and confidence to put together a terrific show that really lit up the town.. Now we can’t get enough…
The Common Lot
The Common Lot is a highly regarded, proudly amateur community theatre collective based in Norwich, making shows for, with and about local people. I set up the company in 2013, it has grown and today thrives working on all kinds of projects from large outdoor shows, street theatre, open access theatre workshops and small indoor pieces.
The Common Lot are a group with a terrific work ethic and lovely team spirit.
There’s a detail and confidence in their work that really impressed us…
Erica Whyman
Deputy Artistic Director, Royal Shakespeare Company.
Midsummer Nights Dream
The Royal Shakespeare Company
Working as a co-director with the Royal Shakespeare Company on “Dream 16: A Play For The Nation” – a ground breaking collaboration with amateur companies from around the country. Find out more about The Common Lot here. We are on Facebook here, join us.
it is the marvellous performances from the members of The Common Lot that really steal the show …brilliantly delivered …full credit to Simon Floyd’s directing from this end… a flawless first night performance.
1549 – The story of Kett’s Rebellion
The Common Lot
A large scale free outdoor theatre show with and for the people of Norwich telling the story of one of the most significant episodes in the city’s history. Working with a crew of 50 local actors and crew as producer, writer and director.
Find out more about 1549 and the Common Lot here.
We are on Facebook here, join us.
Boudicca – The Pantomime
The Common Lot – Norwich Arts Centre, January 2014.
A totally original sell-out alternative panto for Norwich, inspired by the history of the rampaging Iceni queen. Working as writer, producer and director. Staged at Norwich Arts Centre January 2014.
Find out more about 1549 and the Common Lot here.
We are on Facebook here, join us.
Workshops
The Common Lot
A series of weekly performance workshops with various practicioners. The workshops are a place to try new things, meet new people and enjoy the “Welcome all, have a go” spirit of the Common Lot. Enabling people from all walks of life to get a flavour of drama, acting and theatre and explore the joy of playing and performing together.
Macbeth
Touring show
ROLLING PROJECT
Macbeth One Man. A dynamic solo retelling of Shakespeare’s darkest tale that has impressed everywhere. Suitable for both school and adult audiences”
They were not only enthralled by the story but also by your ability to keep them on the edge of their seats for over an hour.
Debbie Ridgeon
It was very real. I saw it all and he had nothing but a chair… I just thought it was so clever. Physical story-telling theatre at it’s very best.
Holly
Year 11.
Blood on the Beach
For Museums at Night in Cromer
ROLLING PROJECT
A commission form the RNLI Henry Blogg museum and Cromer Museums for Museums at Night in May.
Producing and directing a locally themed promenade murder mystery evening for the people of Cromer.
Quote: Just an email to say how incredibly impressed I was with Blood on the Beach. My partner and I had a fabulous time! Thank you so much for putting together such a wonderful event that had such a wide appeal.
Maketh the Man
Menscraft
Using story and performance to reflect, discuss, laugh and create together around the theme of what it means to ‘be a man’ in today’s world. Over 3 days of workshops we made a piece of theatre with eight men that both challenged and entertained the invited audience, developing the confidence of its participants as only theatre can.
Bring Me Sunshine
Stuff and Things
Working as theatre facilitator and performer. Bring Me Sunshine explored what can happen when audience and performer meet in a celebration of what it means to simply say YES! Developed with Norfolk & Norwich Festival, Norwich Arts Centre, and SeaChange Arts – Bring Me Sunshine is a combination of promenade performance, flashmob performance, dance, and portable soundscape technology. Find out more about Stuff and Things’ Work here.
The Voice Project
Singing project
The Voice Project is a brilliant open access singing project offering a whole range of creative ways to use your voice. For the last five years Simon has worked as a lead performer and head usher.
Simon has been a valued key player in The Voice Project’s promenade performances and as MC/Chief usher has made a brilliant contribution to our projects, guiding audiences, setting scenes, as well as performing alongside the choir, providing a bridge between the spoken and the sung text. Simon is a fantastically supportive colleague and a very safe, professional pair of hands in unpredictable performance situations. We really enjoy working with him.
‘Physical Jerks’ & ‘Ghoulish Ushers’
for Sport Relief and the Halloween Parade
Commissions from Norwich City Council events team to train and develop volunteers to provide on street improvisation and entertainment with the crowds .
As a theatre maker I have worked in prisons, drug rehabilitation centres and with people of all ages in the community.
I have also developed and performed my own one man shows and story evenings in numerous settings, including a perennially popular Macbeth One Man
For 14 years I worked in substance misuse as an outreach worker and training manager; designing and delivering training across the charitable, commercial and public sectors. After working in volunteer coordination with an international college I moved into museum development. I am the architect and coordinator of SHARE Museums East, a ground-breaking regional development programme that is helping museums to share their skills, resources and experience to mutual and lasting benefit”
I am now taking the successful principles behind the success of SHARE into making theatre with, for and about local communities.
You just go to show that with a bit of friendly encouragement it is possible to get a bunch of criminals to do something worthwhile and positive – so again from the lads, thanks.
Contact form
Contact me
I am based in Norwich, Norfolk in the United Kingdom. But am always pleased to hear from anyone, anywhere. You can contact me using the form or you can email me direct or ring me on the details below.
By telephone: 07896 781 574
By email: hello@simonfloyd.co.uk
Credits
Thanks to Les at Wireloose pix for some of the images in this site. Thanks also to Nick Stone at Starfish for the portrait image and Crude Apache, Karl Minns, and The Common Lot for the use of some images.