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FAREWELL TO HANNAH & VANESSA

Two of Insane Root's longstanding members are sadly leaving us. Our Artistic Director and Chair of Trustees have stepped down after many years of excellent service. We wish them a fond farewell and will reserve a seat (or a bench or a step!) for them at our next performance!  

Hannah Drake - Former Artistic Director

Insane Root has been such an incredible adventure. The work we have done has taken me to extraordinary locations, allowed me to collaborate with amazing artists, produced and directed shows that I am exceptionally proud of, and provided some of the most challenging and rewarding moments of my life.

 

It has been a privilege to have co-created this organisation with Creative Producer Justin Palmer – building it from a chance conversation between friends into a partnership, then limited company and now charity. I’m delighted that he has chosen to continue with the organisation and steer it safely into its next decade!

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Stepping down as Artistic Director in April of last year was one of the hardest decisions I have made in my career, and remains incredibly bittersweet. Sadly, the precariousness of the industry and the relentless fight for funding proved too much, so it was time for me to do something new, and time for Insane Root to have some fresh legs. 

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I am so grateful to all those who have supported, challenged, endorsed and worked with us: from advisors to performers, designers, makers, writers, technicians, stage managers, stewards, bartenders, suppliers, venues, work experience participants, and funders. 

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I want to particularly mention Ellian Showering, Edmund McKay and Sarah Warren: the original composer, lighting designer and costume designer of Macbeth at the Redcliffe Caves. Their vision, sensitivity and talent has been essential in creating the Insane Root style, and was the foundation of everything that followed. I also want to thank our talented trustees under the helm of Chair Vanessa Moon, who ensured that Insane Root wasn’t lost to COVID-19. In every sense.

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Most importantly, I want to thank our amazing audiences. It takes a special kind of courage to walk into a cave (or a crypt, or an abandoned swimming pool, or a cemetery in winter……!) in the name of ‘theatre’. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for celebrating us. Thank you for sticking with us. Like you, I now can’t wait to see what Insane Root does next!
 

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Vanessa Moon - Former Chair of Trustees

I have very sadly stepped down from Insane Root Theatre as their Chair for personal reasons, but my time as a supporter goes back even further then when they were set up as a charity. I have been to nearly every production in the past ten years (sadly all bar the very first!) and have loved the work the company creates.

 

I have seen shows in amazing and unusual spaces such as in the Clifton Suspension Bridge Vaults and witnessed the important outreach and community work that is at the heart of Insane Root. It has been a privilege to be involved, and I am so grateful to founders Justin and Hannah for including me on their journey.

 

I also wanted to thank the wonderful group of Trustees I have led over the years, as well as every member of our production teams, our actors in every show, our dedicated volunteers and, of course, our loyal supporters. It has sometimes been a little challenging (we had a mix of a heatwave and torrential rain affecting one outside performance!), but overall it has been fun, inspiring and a fantastic experience.

 

My best wishes to Insane Root and its audiences going forward. I will now continue to support in the audience and am looking forward to the next production!   

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HANNAH's HALL OF FAME

Image credits - Craig Fuller, Lisa Hounsome & Jack Offord: 2015-2021

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© 2015 by Insane Root Theatre

 

Bristol, England, UK

Registered Charity #1191395

 

Contact

team@insaneroot.org.uk

+44 7971 047388

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