About us...

'Foulisfair is a theatre company that has a strong direction. They don't set out to entertain and they don't want to teach or preach rather they juxtapose the innocent world with the world of experience and allow you to watch the collision'

'Watching this made me realise how much 'safe' theatre I watch'

Audience member, Foulisfair Double Bill, Cheltenham Everyman Theatre 2009

Foulisfair Theatre creates performance pieces that are emotive and thought-provoking. It aims to challenge perspectives, to stimulate and engage - and to open the odd can of worms. It embraces experimentation and explores thorny issues and difficult feelings. To date physical exuberance, humour and a dialectic approach have been the hallmarks of our work.

Foulisfair devises original pieces which tend to reflect personal experiences with universal resonances. During the devising process a range of artistic and sometimes factual influences are called upon to embellish and develop the work. The aim is to provide audiences with fragments, concepts and ideas that trigger new ways of experiencing, seeing or remembering.

Biography - Gemma Bolwell

After studying Theatre Studies and English Literature at Glasgow University I taught and examined Drama. In 2005 I undertook an MA in Theatre Making at Leeds University, a course which mainly focussed on devising and contemporary theatre practice. A year later I formed a devising group in Leeds which developed into Foulisfair Theatre, with Harriet Chandler and Emma Hornby as joint founding members. I've devised and performed three one woman shows: Canvas, Kaleidoscope Morning and Inside Out. I've also performed with other companies: Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah, Leeds Combined Arts and Mustard Circus. With Harriet and Emma I co-devised and directed The Girl Who Went Out Into the Cold... and Daughters. In autumn 2008 I relocated to Gloucestershire, hauling the name and spirit of Foulisfair 200 miles south. I have begun collaborating with local artists as well as continuing to perform solo shows. The differing theatrical climate of Gloucestershire has challenged me to define and consolidate just what Foulisfair is all about...

Harriet Chandler and Emma Hornby remain in Leeds and have recently formed Sinister Theatre. Their first work in progress has recently been performed at the Emerge Festival in Leeds.