About Us
A Brief History
On March 6th 2007, HighTide became the world's first producing festival of new plays, opening to the public in the Suffolk market town of Halesworth. The Festival is now in its fourth year, taking place annually on the first May Bank Holiday weekend.
Since our inaugural 2007 season, HighTide has existed to source and develop emerging artists from across the world, first producing these gifted new practitioners in our Suffolk Festival and then providing a much wider platform through a full production and run at a major theatre. HighTide's work has transferred nationally and internationally, including to London with the National Theatre and Bush Theatre in 2008 and 2009, and to Brisbane with the Australian National Play Festival in 2010.
Our Commitment to the East
We continue to develop an audience for new, contemporary and provocative theatre in the East of England through high-quality producing and competitive ticket prices. We work to develop artists based in the region and invite the leading national new artists to create and premiere work in eastern England. We export our productions and artists across the UK and internationally as representatives of Suffolk culture.
We are proud to consider ourselves part of a thriving network of artists, theatres and companies in the East of England, for whom we host HighTable, a regular assembly aimed at sharing, collaborating and inspiring.
Development and Education
HighTide now runs a year-round open-access programme of week-long residencies, the Genesis Laboratories, to provide space and funding for emerging artists.
HighTide also exists to demystify the process of theatre-making for the next generation of potential practitioners through First Look, a comprehensive cross-regional schools participation programme.
Charitable Support
HighTide is a registered charity and we are grateful to the many organisations and individuals who support our work. Particularly the Old Possum’s Practical Trust, Arts Council England, and Lansons Communications.