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Why is the company called Cheek by Jowl and how did it begin?
The company was founded in 1981 by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod.
The name conveys an intimacy between the actors, the audience and the text.
The phrase 'cheek by jowl' is quoted from A Midsummer Night's Dream, "Follow! Nay, I'll go with thee cheek by jowl". Act III Sc II.
Cheek by Jowl's first tour was The Country Wife. Where is Cheek by Jowl based?
Cheek by Jowl is based in the UK and has an office at The Barbican Centre in London.
However, the company has always had a collaborative structure and continues to be directed and managed by people working out of their own offices. Included in this group are several freelance arts consultants. Does Cheek by Jowl have a policy for choosing the plays it produces?
The company's policy is to do the plays we want to do and to do them as well as we can.
Declan Donnellan has said: "Over a long tour, the ideal text will feed us, surprise us, and remain, perhaps, just out of reach. This is why the bulk of our work has been in the classics".
However, the company also produces new pieces of writing, such as Homebody/Kabul and Lady Betty. Where can I find information to help me with my essay / research / dissertation?
The primary source of information about the company's work is this website.
In the productions section, you will find cast lists and reviews for most of Cheek by Jowl's more than 25 productions. The biographies will give you information about the key contributors and the press section lists the major resources for researchers, including access to the full texts of relevant articles.
In addition, Declan Donnellan's page on acting provide an insight into his approach to direction and some extracts from his book Can I interview Donnellan or Ormerod?
We are very sorry but because of their schedules it's not possible to interview Declan Donnellan or Nick Ormerod for your essay / research / dissertation.
We have posted the texts of some published interviews, and other research resources, on the press page. These, together with all the other material on this website, should help you find answers to most questions. Are there any video recordings of Cheek by Jowl's productions?
Where can I buy the books?
Declan Donnellan's book, The Actor and The Target is published in the UK by Nick Hern Books and should be available in any good bookshop in this country. Otherwise, French's Theatre Bookshop in London is an excellent source for all publications connected with theatre.
Simon Reade's book, Cheek by Jowl, Ten years of Celebration, is out of print and so only available second hand.
For more material in print covering the work of Cheek by Jowl, visit our bibliography. Does Cheek by Jowl accept unsolicited scripts?
The Company does not have the resources to accept unsolicited scripts at this time.
In the UK, we would suggest submitting new work to venues such as Soho Theatre & Writers Centre, The Bush, The Royal Court, The National Theatre ot the Hull Truck Theatre Company, all of which have proactive literary departments and accept unsolicited work. Does the company have a permanent group of actors? Can I audition or send in my CV?
Like the vast majority of other British theatre companies, our actors are on fixed-term contracts. However, many actors come back regularly to work with us.
For each new Cheek by Jowl production, a Casting Director is appointed.
Please do not send unsolicited CVs as we are unable to accept them. Can I do work experience with the company?
Cheek by Jowl has a collaborative structure and is directed and managed by people working out of their own offices.
Due to this structure and the amount of time spent working outside the UK, we are only able to offer a small number of work experience opportunities. We consider applications on an individual basis.
If you would like to be considered for a work placement, please send your CV to our offices at The Barbican Centre. Can I watch rehearsals or take photographs?
The company's rehearsals are closed to everyone except those participating in the production. We regret to say that we do not allow people in to watch.
Neither is it possible to take photographs of rehearsals. How can I find out about future productions?
The best place to find out what Cheek by Jowl is planning is the on tour page on this website. There you will find listings for upcoming shows as well as productions currently on tour.
You might also like to consider subscribing to our email mailing list to receive news of forthcoming productions. |
