News

                                   

2007

CHRIS WRIGHT APPOINTED AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF TRINITY ARTS
(posted 01/09/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright  has been appointed as Artistic Director of Trinity Arts Centre in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire. He will continue ot develop projects with LeKoa whilst running Trinity.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT A TASTE OF HONEY FOR THE LOWRY
(posted 31/08/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct  A Taste Of Honey by Shelagh Delaney for The Lowry Community Repertory Season in November. To launch The Lowry's inarugual repertory season A Taste Of Honey will play in the studio theatre from 14th to 24th November. For ticket bookings a details of times contact The Lowry on 0870 787 5790 or visit www.thelowry.com.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 30/08/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct The Rimers Of Eldritch with degree students at University of Salford with performances at the Adelphi Studio Theatre, Salford on 18th & 19th October 2007. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

LEKOA COLLABORATOR AT OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE
(posted 02/04/07)
Regular LeKoa collaborator Paul David will be appearing in How The Other Half Loves by Alan Ayckbourn at Oldham Coliseum Theatre during April and May 2007. For ticket information contact the Coliseum Theatre on 0161 624 2829 or visit www.coliseum.org.uk.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT NEW NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE PLAY

(posted 07/03/07)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct a new play for National Youth Theatre and The Lowry as part of the Easter Bites festival in April. The new play, A Hiding To Nothing by Tom Henry will premiere on Thursday 13 th April at 8pm inThe Lowry Studio Theatre. Chris is an Associate Director for NYT and The Lowry, and the new play has been developed as part of the Theatre Makers initiative.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 15/02/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 7th March. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 24/01/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 7th February. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT REHEARSED READING OF NEW PLAY
(posted 15/01/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will workshop and direct a rehearsed reading of Thrasher, a new play by Conor McKee. The week's workshop will take place at The Lowry, and the rehearsed reading will play at The Yard, Hulme on Friday 26th January at 7.30pm. For ticket details call Conor McKee on 07815 979269. 

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 03/01/07)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Festen by David Eldridge with degree students at University of Salford with performances at the Adelphi Studio Theatre, Salford on 20th & 21st February 2007. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

 

2006

VENT ACTOR NOMINATED FOR M.E.N. THEATRE AWARD
(posted  20/11/06)
LeKoa actor Zariah Bailey, who has just completed the autumn tour of Vent, has been nominated for the Best Newcomer Award for the prestigious Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards 2006. The nomination is for Zariah's compelling portrayal of Ike in LeKoa's touring production of Vent. Zariah and Artistic Director Chris Wright will join stars from theatre and television at a glitzy ceremony at the Midland Hotel on 5th December 2006. LeKoa is very proud of Zariah's nomination and we wish him the best of luck for the award.

LEKOA COLLABORATOR AT SHEFFIELD CRUCIBLE
(posted 15/11/06)
LeKoa collaborator Alistair Reith, who is currently on tour with Vent, will be appearing in Fiddler On The Roof at Sheffield Crucible Theatre during December 2006 and January 2007. For ticket information contact the Crucible Theatre on 0114 249 6000.

LEKOA COLLABORATORS AT OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE
(posted 10/11/06)
Regular LeKoa collaborators Paul David and Chris Hannon will be appearing in Cinderella at Oldham Coliseum Theatre during November and December 2006, and January 2007. For ticket information contact the Coliseum Theatre on 0161 624 2829 or visit www.coliseum.org.uk.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT NEW PLAY FOR THE LOWRY
(posted 03/11/06)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct D.N.A. by Dennis Kelly for The Lowry as part of the NT Connections Festival 2007. As an Associate Director for The Lowry, he has been asked to establish the venue's first Lowry Youth Theatre Project with the production being its inagural event. D.N.A. will perform in The Lowry Studio Theatre on Friday 23rd March and Saturday 24th March 2007. For ticket bookings a details of times contact The Lowry on 0870 787 5790 or visit www.thelowry.com.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 01/11/06)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogl with degree students at University of Salford with performances at the Robert Powell Theatre, Salford on 14th & 15th December 2006. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

SELL-OUT SUCCES FOR WORLD PREMIERE OF VENT

(posted 22/10/06)

LeKoa enjoyed sell-out success for its world premiere of Vent at Contact, Manchester last week. Over five nights, and eight performances, LeKoa played to full houses for its critically acclaimed new play. Artistic Director Chris Wright was delighted with the week's residency at Contact: "LeKoa's first play Black Box premiered at Contact so we were delighted when John (McGrath - Contact's Artistic Director) invited us back to premiere Vent. The company has worked hard on generating interest in the production, and we delivered an extensive education campaign to target the student audiences who would most relate to the subject matter of the play. Word of mouth has also played a large part as we are playing to full audienced across the region who have yet to see any of our work."

For details of Vent on tour during October and November click on tour dates. 

VENT RECEIVES RAVE REVIEWS AT WORLD PREMIERE

(posted 20/10/06)

LeKoa has received rave reviews for Vent following its world premiere at Contact, Manchester. Playing to packed houses LeKoa's latest play, written and directed by Artistic Director Chris Wright, delighted audiences and critics alike:

"The world premiere of this new work may only last 90 minutes but the result is a fascinating and rich piece." 

The Stage

"Vent is a compelling look at the breakdown in communication between genders... there are particulalrly good performances from Zariah Bailey and Freddie Machin."  

Manchester Evening News

For details of Vent on tour during October and November click on tour dates. 

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DELIVER NORTHERN ACTORS CENTRE WORKSHOP

(posted 16/09/06)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will deliver an acting masterclass for Northern Actors Centre on 6th October. 'Just Say The Lines: Approaching Text' will be an introduction to LeKoa's techniques for actors working with text and is aimed at the experienced actor. The workshop will take place at Granada Studios between 10.30am and 5.30pm. To book a place or for further information contact Maggie Lackey at NAC on 0161 819 2513 or info@northernactorscentre.co.uk.  

LEKOA AWARDED ARTS COUNCIL GRANT FOR TRAINING SCHEME 

(posted 15/09/06)

LeKoa has been awarded a Grants For The Arts from Arts Council England for their Post-Graduate Work Placement Scheme. This innovative training scheme will offer five recent post-graduates the opportunity to work with LeKoa on its forthcoming production and tour of Vent. LeKoa is delighted to confirm that the following will join LeKoa in the following work placement roles: Ned Bennett (Assistant Director), Kelly Delaney (Stage Manager); Jenne Omeltschenko (Stage Manager), Gemma North (Female Understudy), and Ben Moores (Male Understudy).

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR VENT

(posted 04/09/06)

Casting has been announced for LeKoa's production of Vent, written and directed by LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright, that will tour in Autumn. Regular collaborators Claire Bleasdale (Jenny) and Alexandra Btesh (Connie) return to the roles they played at the Royal Exchange Studio in August 2005. LeKoa are delighted to welcome four new collaborators for this production of Vent: Zariah Bailey (Ike), Freddie Machin (Adam), Victoria Brazier (Clarissa), and Alistair Reith (Nick). Vent will receive its world premiere at Contact, Manchester and then tour regionally and in London. For further information click on tour dates.   

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT REHEARSED READING AT COLISEUM THEATRE

(posted 19/06/06)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct a rehearsed reading of Breaking Dawn by John Wellock at Oldham Coliseum Theatre on Friday 14th July as part of the venue's Wordsmith writing festival. For tickets contact the Coliseum box office on 0161 624 2829.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 17/06/06)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 5th July. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT NEW PLAY AT MOUNTVIEW

(posted 15/05/06)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct a rehearsed reading of Happy Land West, a new play by leading playwright Kate Dean, with graduating students from Mountview at the Theatre Museum, Covent Garden on Saturday 10th June.

LEKOA COLLABORATOR AT THE ROYAL EXCHANGE

(posted 08/05/06)

Regular LeKoa collaborator Chris Hannon will be performing in She Stoops To Conquer at The Royal Exchange during May and June. For tickets contact the Royal Exchange box office on 0161 833 9833.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT NEW NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE PLAY

(posted 07/03/06)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct a new play for National Youth Theatre and The Lowry at Easter for premiere on 20th April 2006. Chris is an Associate Artist for NYT and The Lowry, and the new play is written by a new young writer from the NYT membership.

 

2005

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT ARDEN SCHOOL OF THEATRE

(posted 08/08/05)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Much Ado About Nothing at Arden School of Theatre in Autumn with performances in Manchester from Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd November. Watch this space for ticket details. 

 

SELL OUT AUDIENCE FOR LEKOA AT ROYAL EXCHANGE

(posted 05/08/05)

A packed house filled the Royal Exchange Studio on Thursday 4th August to see excerpts from LeKoa's latest play Vent.

Written by artistic director Christopher Wright, Vent will receive a full production in 2006.

 

LEKOA INVITED TO PERFORM AT ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE

(posted 11/07/05)

The Royal Exchange has invited LeKoa to present extracts from their latest play Vent on Thursday 4th August as part of the blue3 showcase. For full details of blue3 contact the Royal Exchange box office on 0161 833 9833.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DELIVER THEATRE TRAINING SESSION

(posted 27/06/05)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright has been invited to appear on an expert panel for Target Training as part of their specialist training session on Establishing an Independent Theatre Company. The event takes place at Barca, Castlefield on Thursday 7th July 2-5pm. Places are free but should be booked in advance. To book a place c ontact Target Training on 0161 228 3993 or angela@target-training.com.

 

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT FOR DEAD EARNEST COMPANY

(posted 23/05/05)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct a rehearsed reading of The Puzzle Women written by Dead Earnest Theatre Companyt's artistic director Ashley Barnes at Harrogate Theatre as part of the Write ON 2005 Festival. For tickets contact Harrogate Thetare box office on 01423 502116.

 

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT STARTWRITE

(posted 25/04/05)

LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct StartWrite, an evening of new theatre writing from graduates of Arden School of Theatre's Playwriting Diploma on Tuesday 10th May at Contact. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

 

LEKOA COLLABORATOR PERFORMS AT THE LOWRY

(posted 18/04/05)

Regular LeKoa collaborator Conor Ryan will be performing in Northern Broadsides' production of The Comedy Of Errors at The Lowry from Thursday 21st to Saturday 23rd April as part of a national tour. For tickets contact The Lowry box office on 00870 111 2000.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 03/04/05)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 4th May. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT PRESTON COLLEGE
(posted 05/01/05)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct The Rimers of Eldritch by Lanford Wilson with performing arts students at Preston College with performances at the Studio Theatre on 17th, 18th & 19th March 2005. To book tickets call box office on 01772 225 602.

 

2004

VISUAL ARTIST TO EXHIBIT WORK ON LEKOA WEBSITE
(posted 22/11/04)
Artistic Director Chris Wright has invited visual artist Sharon Brown to exhibit her work on LeKoa’s website. A North West based artist, Sharon uses the history of location to generate photography-based work that makes specific connections to the past of particular environments. Sharon is currently producing work based on the industrial, cultural and architectural history of the cotton industry in Glossop, Derbyshire. LeKoa is delighted that Sharon has committed to exhibit her new work on the site.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 09/11/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 1st December. Extracts at the venue’s monthly playwriting slam will include new work by Harry Lowe, Gary Baxendale, Mark Distin, Stephen Michael Lowe and Alan Cliff. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 05/11/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Snake In Fridge by Brad Fraser with degree students at University of Salford with performances at the Robert Powell Theatre, Salford on 21st & 22nd January 2005. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

CHRIS WRIGHT TO DIRECT INSIDE OUT PROJECT
(posted 01/11/04)
Returning to Oldham Coliseum Theatre LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct the venue’s major community project Inside out in June and July 2005. The theatre production will be a newly commissioned script to be performed by a diverse mix of young people in Oldham. The production will premiere on the main stage at the Coliseum in July 2005.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 28/09/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Edmond by David Mamet with HND students at University of Salford with performances at Robert Powell Theatre, Salford on 28th-30th November 2005. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 15/09/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 29th September. Extracts at the venue’s monthly playwriting slam will include new work by Bridie Jackson, Rob Roughley, Clare Head and Nathan Eakins. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT LEAVES OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE
(posted 01/09/04)
After a successful nine months at Oldham Coliseum Theatre as Education & Outreach Director Chris Wright has left the venue to return to freelance directing and running LeKoa.

CHRIS WRIGHT DIRECTS LOWRY SUMMER SCHOOL
(posted 05/07/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright continues his relationship with the Lowry by directing a production for 7-14 year olds as part of the venue’s Summer School in August 2004.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 28 /05/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct Flip The Script at Contact on 2nd June. Extracts at the venue’s monthly playwriting slam will include new work by Rob Roughley, Sean Cernow, Bill Jeffries and Bridie Jackson. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CONTACTING THE WORLD
(posted 01/05/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright will direct new company Brilliant Theatre in a new play Icarus by Neil Varani as part of the Contacting The World festival in July 2005. Hosted by Contact Theatre the festival is a huge event combining performance companies from England, Scotland, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Syria, Malaysia and Jordan. Icarus will premiere on Friday 30th July at 7.30pm. For tickets contact box office on 0161 247 0600.

FLIP THE SCRIPT
(posted 08/01/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright continues his longstanding relationship with Contact by directing a selection of new scripts on 4th February for Flip The Script, the venue’s monthly playwriting slam. Extracts will include new work by Jim Burns, Andrew Beattie, Annabelle Dearing, Sean Cernow, Nicolete Turki and Chloe Giblin. The cast will include regular LeKoa collaborator Maike Lynden. For tickets contact box office on 0161 274 0600.

CHRIS WRIGHT APPOINTED AS EDUCATION & OUTREACH DIRECTOR AT OLDHAM COLISEUM THEATRE
(posted 08/01/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright has been appointed Education & Outreach Director at Oldham Coliseum Theatre until September 2005.

CHRIS WRIGHT GUEST DIRECTOR AT UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
(posted 08/12/04)
LeKoa Artistic Director Chris Wright continues his longstanding relationship with University of Salford by directing degree students in The Devils by John Whiting. Performances on 20th & 21st January 2004 at the Robert Powell Theatre, Frederick Road, Salford. To book tickets call box office on 0161 295 6120.

VENT REHEARSED READING AT THE LOWRY
(posted 10/11/03)
On Friday 7th November LeKoa presented a rehearsed reading of Christopher Wright’s new play Vent at The Lowry. The reading was a conclusion to a workshop on the second draft of the play that involved regular LeKoa collaborators Maike Lynden, Conor Ryan, Claire Bleasdale, Alex Btesh and Chris Hannon. LeKoa also welcomed Joe Murray who was a first-time collaborator. LeKoa will produce Vent in 2005 with plans to premiere at Lowry, Salford.

LEKOA FORGES LINKS WITH THE LOWRY
(posted 16/09/03)
The Lowry will host the rehearsed reading of Christopher Wright’s new play Vent on Friday 7th November 2003 at 2pm in the Artworks room.  The reading will conclude a week’s workshop on the second draft of the play alsohosted by the Lowry. LeKoa’s artistic director Christopher Wright hopes this is the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship, “The Lowry has been incredibly supportive, in particular Projects Manager Jane DaSilva. The venue has specific plans to work with local companies in the future and the building of a new studio theatre in 2004 will be an exciting new option for LeKoa. Small gestures such as hosting this reading can help companies like LeKoa to develop their profile and I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the Lowry”.

Set on a fictional university campus, Vent examines contemporary sexual politics crystallised by an accusation of date-rape by one student against another. Caught up in an atmosphere of sexual tension, paranoia and suspicion Vent follows a year in the life of four students and two tutors whose lives become entangled in the fallout. Set in adjoining male and female toilets (the last refuge of the sexes) and targeting the communication breakdown between the genders over sex and the culture it inspires.

This event is FREE but places are limited, and can be booked by contacting LeKoa on info@LeKoa.co.uk giving your name and number, and how many places you would like to book. Alternatively, you can call Christopher Wright
on 07957 300107.

LEKOA AWARDED GRANT TO DEVELOP NEW SCRIPT
(posted 02/09/03)
The Arts Council has awarded LeKoa a grant to develop its new play. Vent written by artistic director Christopher Wright will be developed through a two week workshop with actors and conclude with a rehearsed reading (venue to be confirmed). The grant is part of ACE’s continued support for LeKoa following it’s funding for both the development and production of the company’s previous play Black Box in 2002/2003.

The workshop and reading will include regular LeKoa collaborators Maike Lynden, Claire Bleasdale, Conor Ryan, Jonathon Finlay and Paul David-Gough who all performed in Black Box, and Chris Hannon and Alex B’tesh. The workshop will take place over two weeks in September and November 2003. Details of the Vent rehearsed reading coming soon.