2011 marks the 40th anniversary of Mikron Theatre Company, Britain's only national touring theatre company to travel on a narrow boat, delivering two plays a year to rural audiences in unique venues.
History of Mikron
Mikron started life in May 1972, when founding members Mike Lucas, Sarah Lucas and Danny Schiller had a vision of bringing high quality theatre to the waterways of rural Britain.
They purchased Tyseley, a registered historic town class boat, one of very few of its kind left in working order.
Mike ran the company until 2005, when his role was split between two former acting members of Mikron, and the main administrative office is based at the renovated Marsden Mechanics Institute in West Yorkshire. A book by Mike Lucas is available through Mikron's website documenting the history of the company, entitled I'd Go Back Tomorrow.
Over the past 39 years they have spent 20,000 hours boating, covered 400,000 miles by road, produced 43 original plays, written 258 original songs, presented 4,000 shows and performed to more than 400,000 people.
Mikron Theatre's Community Ethos
What makes Mikron so unique is that it seeks to take theatre out into local communities, reaching people who would not usually get a chance to see theatre. They often set up shop in pub beer gardens by the canal side, or in other unusual venues en route. These performances are donation-only, rather than ticket sales, ensuring that even low income families and the unemployed can enjoy professional theatre.
The plays themselves usually tackle highly significant issues, based on historical events which still resonate and impact on today's society. Most recently, the 2010 tour included Striking the Balance, the story of the fight for equal pay between men and women, and how that fight is still continuing today, trying to bridge the 16.4% pay gap that still exists in full-time employment.
They also tackle current events, presenting a play about Newbury Bypass when it was highly controversial in the news.
The company works with minimal set and is renowned for its resourceful use of props. In its time it has issued around 150 acting contracts and fostered new talent including that of Mark Williams of Harry Potter Fame.
Running numerous community theatre projects and a youth scheme, Mikron makes theatre accessible across the board in a very unique and engaging way.
Supporting Mikron
As well as 2011 being Mikron's ruby celebrations, it is also a time for concern, as the current financial climate sees the withdrawal of local authority support for many small charities. Mikron's Arts Council funding finished in 2009 and without increased support from members and sponsors, there is a very real danger that it may be their last year of touring.
To find out more, visit Mikron Theatre's official website.
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