RABBLE Theatre - About Us

Our Story

RABBLE Theatre. Rousing the crowd.

2012

RABBLE was formed as Reading Between the Lines in 2012 by actors.

Off the Block, the now annual new writing event, was the company’s first production and the high-pressure, exhilarating night was received exceptionally well by press and public alike.

Following an ambitious crowd-funding campaign and many days of searching for business sponsorship, the company raised the funds to stage their first full-scale production, Twelfth Night. It took place not in a theatre, but inside Reading Minster, a decision which made clear the company’s aim to celebrate the history and beauty of Reading. Directed by Hal Chambers and with a stunningly beautiful score by composer Rosalind Steele, the production received nothing but 5 Star reviews.

Off The Block

Twelfth Night

2013-2015

RBL’s 2013 Romeo and Juliet, again inside Reading Minster, imagined that the 2011 London riots hadn’t stopped and that two sides had taken control…. DJ and Composer Benjamin Hudson, more accustomed to studios and festivals (Maida Vale, Radio 1, 6 Music), made his theatrical debut with this exceptional, riotous rave soundtrack that complemented the show so magnificently. 5 Star reviews were greatly appreciated by the hard working company, as was the transfer to Greenwich Theatre.

Reading’s St James’ Church, Basingstoke Anvil and Greenwich Theatre were the venues for Much Ado About Nothing in 2015, which opened with the sound of Chinook helicopters circling RBL’s now substantial audience, followed by fully-armed British Army soldiers storming the venue. Exploring life for the British in Afghanistan, this production received 8 five star reviews, including this from The Stage, “Revolutionary and ambitious production shows regional professional theatre at its very best” and this from The Independent, “Totally brilliant… genuinely funny.”

Romeo & Juliet

Much Ado About Nothing

2016

In 2016, RBL’s desire to have Reading recognised culturally and historically was transformed by the decision to create new writing about the most notable people who inhabited the town’s extraordinary buildings. Oscar Wilde on Trial by Beth Flintoff staged inside Reading Gaol, with Oscar Wilde’s actual cell door on the stage inside the Old Chapel (produced in association with the Ministry of Justice and Artangel), was seen by over 3000 people in just four days, with the show proving so successful that it was done twice a night. Jonathan Humphreys directed the largely verbatim piece.

In the same year, Conquerors, Part I: Henry I was staged above Henry’s burial site, inside St James’ Church and this really did elevate the company’s status, both locally and nationally, thanks to this feature in The Guardian and a radio drama in partnership with BBC Berkshire. The largely forgotten king had one of history’s most incredible lives and his legacy, Reading Abbey, became one of the world’s most revered buildings. The production was met with five star reviews, sell out crowds and standing ovations.

Oscar Wilde On Trial

Henry I Of England

2017-2018

Henry’s daughter, Matilda the Empress, was the focus of the sequel and it was she who gifted Reading the hand of St James, after which the venue was named. Her life story is tragically still relevant today and in terms of inspiring women, there really are few who contend with her. The highly-praised production was voted one of the top 20 UK Shows of 2017 by readers of The Guardian.

The final part of the trilogy, Henry II, took place in 2018 inside Reading Minster, which was developed from the stone and timber of the Abbey. RBL”s final chapter of the Conquerors Trilogy (which sold over 10,000 seats overall), celebrated the grand opening of Reading Abbey, conducted by Thomas Beckett.

Matilda The Empress

Henry II

In 2018 we founded the Get Up On Stage Adult Acting Class and RABBLE Foundations Saturday Acting School. Masterclasses, business workshops and education programmes are constantly being developed and our outreach programme is ever-expanding.

Our first Christmas production opened at South Street Arts Centre; A Christmas Carol, adapted by the hilarious Anna Wheatley. It was also the venue’s first festive production, so we were both delighted to welcome 3500 people and to get a full set of 5 star reviews.

Get Up On Stage

A Christmas Carol

2019

Whilst developing future productions in 2019, RBL revisited Shakespeare. In Macbeth, Duncan, Macduff and Macbeth were each played by women. Forensic sheeting stretched up to the ceilings of the Minster and the hideous witches were focused into one clinical nurse. This haunting production was praised for its innovation.

Hansel & Gretel by Anna Wheatley at South Street Arts Centre was our 2019 Christmas show. We were inundated with praise and messages of thanks from schools and the public, for promoting diversity and acceptance, conveyed by our rapping Gretel and autistic Hansel.

In between these full-scale productions, we’ve performed at The Oracle Riverside, in cafe’s, at The Madejski Stadium, Hilton Hotel and plenty of other unconventional places, working hard to reach different communities.

Hansel & Gretel

Macbeth

2020+

Well, no need to go on about it, but not quite the year we all hoped for. Indeed, it was devastating.

However, the best we could do was keep working and we will be forever grateful to Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, The Head Partnership Solicitors, Macbeth Insurance Brokers and our many RABBLE Rousers who supported us through the dark times.

Fortunately, we were able to transfer all of our our education programmes and Masterclasses onto Zoom and the like, meaning that we were able to not only continue teaching, but also maintain the community that we’ve built up over the years. This really did keep the morale going.

Whilst we couldn’t perform in theatres, there were a few weeks where we could work in the same room together, so we grabbed this time and partnered with BBC Radio Berkshire to produce Who Killed Alfred Oliver, the radio play based on a fascinating unsolved Reading murder, which we had Beth Flintoff write for us. It was such an uplifting experience, really well received and we even managed to get our wonderful diverse community ensemble involved, recording the outdoor (socially-distanced) crowd scenes.

In August, we were able to do some work in the rehearsal room on the new Anna Wheatley Christmas play, which we’ll produce whenever it’s safe to do so. To ensure everyone was safe and that everywhere was well ventilated and sterile was a challenge, but we managed it.

Then in December, we were getting tetchy again, so we asked Anna if she could write a short, comedic, Christmas Play in just 2 weeks, set in an office and suitable for live-streaming (which we’d never done before). It was unfunded, so the budget was… well, Dani didn’t get much sleep. We had one week to rehearse, but then half way through, the UK went into the Tier system, meaning that our director became a laptop in the corner. But we did it and the feedback was as warming as a childhood Christmas morning.

It was a difficult year in which many of our colleagues and friends lost all income. This made us all the more determined to survive. Usually we employ over 100 freelancers per year. We didn’t quite reach that in 2020.

Who Killed Alfred Oliver

RABBLE workshops

MEET THE COMPANY

DANI DAVIES,
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Watching RABBLE grow from a tiny seed has been a thrilling experience and Dani is very proud to fill the role of Executive Director and to oversee the Education Department.

Dani grew up in Reading where she attended the Abbey School. She went on to study at Arts Educational in Chiswick and later at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

As an actor, Dani’s credit’s include Shakespeare at The Tobacco Factory, Bath Theatre Royal, Guildford Shakespeare Company and numerous UK tours. For RBL Theatre Company (RABBLE’s previous name), Dani played the Empress Matilda in the Conquerors trilogy, Olivia in Twelfth Night and Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.

Dani also teaches stage combat and writes plays and stories for young people.

TOBY DAVIES,
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Producing world-class theatre in a joyful environment is the aim of our artistic director, Toby Davies.

After studying English Literature at St Andrews University, where Toby won the Contributions to Theatre Award having acted in some 32 shows, Toby trained professionally at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

As an actor, Toby’s credits include The Mousetrap (West End), Hampstead Theatre, Bath Theatre Royal, Tobacco Factory and numerous tours across the UK.

However, he soon committed to developing a high-quality theatre company for the diverse community of Reading – and it’s this desire to inspire, involve and embolden everyone from this colourful town and to get Reading on the cultural atlas, that gives Toby his relentless energy.

Toby is also on the executive board of Theatre and Arts Reading (TAR).

Away from theatre, he cooks and enjoys the outdoors.

EMMA LAWRENCE,
GENERAL MANAGER

Emma first met RABBLE back in 2012 whilst working at BBC Radio Berkshire. An instant fan, she supported the company first as a member of the audience and then regularly volunteered to help front of house and on the in-house bar.

In 2017 Emma joined the team as front of house manager and since then has taken on a variety of roles including coordinator of our wonderful team of volunteers, bar manager, production manager and box office manager.

She brings with her 10 years experience working in live events with The Big Chill Festival, 18 years honing her organisational skills at the BBC, a love of working with audiences and is passionate about helping people access theatre.

In 2020 Emma left her scheduling role at the BBC to join RABBLE full time as General Manager.

ALEX LONSDALE,
HEAD OF EDUCATION

Alex first encountered RABBLE after watching the R&D of Genomes in 2018. Shortly after, he directed for Off the Block and was Assistant Director on RABBLE’s first Christmas Show, A Christmas Carol. After a period of time delivering work for the education department, he moved into the role of Head of Education, and is delighted to be part of the RABBLE story.

Alex was a member of the National Youth Theatre, and after a brief period working professionally as an actor, he moved into the world of directing, working predominantly in Musical Theatre. He later started to specialise in Applied Theatre and Artist Development at one of the UK’s flagship producing theatres, Chichester Festival Theatre. He has since worked across the UK, producing and touring shows for the commercial sector, delivering unique projects in unexpected places for hard-to-reach and under-represented communities, and directing and producing work for, and with, children and young people.

Alongside RABBLE, Alex works extensively with Proteus Theatre, The North Wall and RicNic, and is an Associate of Blue Apple Theatre and Creation. He also regularly facilitates for The Watermill, Wiltshire Creative, and various schools and universities across the South.

Away from theatre-land, Alex plays the piano (badly), walks his golden retriever, Bonnie, and drinks loads of tea.

TASH MARKS,
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE

Tash grew up in Reading and was part of RABBLE’s first production of Twelfth Night in 2012 as an ensemble cast member, and RABBLE Foundation’s first production of Jerusalem. These experiences with RABBLE inspired her journey to Higher Education. Tash found her spark and passion in community theatre, to which she trained at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in Drama, Applied Theatre and Education.

Since then, Tash has gone on to direct, produce and facilitate a variety of young people’s and community projects with a range of theatres and organisations such as Kiln Theatre, Synergy Theatre Projects, Mousetrap Theatre Projects, Total Insight Theatre and many more. She is most passionate about projects which support people who are marginalised or facing challenges in their lives, to which creativity can offer people a richer sense of wellbeing, purpose and achievement. Having worked extensively within the criminal justice system, with looked-after young people and neurodiverse individuals, Tash is dedicated to learning, listening and opening new spaces which feel accessible to a range of people in Reading and, in turn, being reflexive in how this can shape our artistic work and approach.

Alongside her work, Tash practices meditation and yoga and enjoys exploring new places and meeting new people. She is really excited to be working in her hometown.

LOUISE GILMOUR,
EDUCATION OFFICER

Louise first became aware of RABBLE when she went to see ‘Matilda, the Empress’ and knew that having local work of such quality and dramatic impact meant that she knew she had to get involved. She has worked as Head of Drama at a large, state comprehensive which had a Theatre Arts Specialism as well as being awarded an Arts Mark Gold for her 10 years there. She also brings her 10 years experience as a professional actress to her work with the company. For many young audience members, seeing a RABBLE show is their first experience of live theatre and she is proud to be associated with such an inventive, dynamic and company and help build the audiences of the future. And perhaps also the professionals too!

OUR HONORARY PATRONS

SIR JOHN MADEJSKI

“I have seen every one of RABBLE’s shows and their contribution to this part of the world is exceptional. They produce world-class theatre and host community and education projects that benefit everyone. I’m proud to be associated with them.”

Sir John Madejski, OBE DL, is probably most widely known as the chairman of Reading Football Club, and, with a raft of commercial interests spanning property, broadcast media, hotels, restaurants, publishing and football, knows what it’s like to start from small beginnings. Art is one of his passions and he is a patron of many institutions in the arts, academia and education.

MELVIN BENN

“Like Reading Festival, RABBLE enables expression and brings together people from all walks of life. Their work is inspiring and important and I’m delighted to support them.”

Melvin Benn is the Managing Director of Festival Republic and has been responsible for some of the UK’s best-known festivals and events including Reading and Glastonbury Festivals. He was also Chairman of the Board of Directors of Wembly Stadium for 5 years.

OUR TRUSTEES

VICTORIA LAVERY-BALL,
CHAIR OF TRUSTEES

Victoria has been with RABBLE since the beginning and loves being a part of such an innovative charity, bringing exciting and inspiring productions and educational programmes to the people of Reading and beyond. RABBLE’s aims of producing accessible, world-class, #MadeInRDG theatre are what attracted her to the role and she’s delighted to oversee this inspiring journey.

Mads Brain

Mads Brain is passionate about all the opportunities that RABBLE Theatre presents in Reading and beyond, delivering the highest quality productions, drama and education for all, pushing the boundaries of conventional theatre with outstanding results.

Jules James

Jules James, MD of Voyage Brand & Communication, is delighted to throw her knowledge and creative support behind this inspirational team. She brings with her all things brand – strategy, storytelling, identity and concept development, design, brand architecture, messaging, value systems and purpose.

JULIE GREGORY

Julie Gregory is delighted to be the treasurer for RABBLE Theatre, bringing previous knowledge of charity finances and a passion for theatre to the board.

Kirsti Wilson

Kirsti Wilson is head of marketing and fundraising at Launchpad. Kirsti has over 20 years of marketing experience and a stonerg network of local contacts – as well as a passion for Reading and the arts. Kirsti is also a member of Get Up on Stage.

Nick Flintoff

Nick works at the National Theatre for the New Work Department developing new shows for the theatre’s main stages. He has grown up and spent much of his life living in the local area where he has worked at The Corn Exchange and occasionally the Watermill Theatre in Newbury. He is also a lighting designer and production manages. He feels very honoured to be able to bring his years of technical and production experience to the Rabble Team.

Danyl Johnson

Reading-based Danyl Johnson rocketed to fame on The X Factor 2009, (50 million+ views on YouTube!). He went on to appear in the hit TV show, Benidorm, was a finalist on Eurovision: You Decide, hosted a weekly radio show for BBC Berkshire and created 2 podcasts; Best Thing & Little Help. In 2020, Danyl joined the 50th anniversary production of Godspell and is now a presenter on the People’s Postcode Lottery. He is an ambassador for several local and national charities, including Launchpad and the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. In 2015, he won the Community Champion award at the Pride of Reading Awards for his charity work. He loves his hometown and is a key member of the Pride of Reading Awards.

Having never missed a show since the beginning, Danyl is very proud to be a trustee for RABBLE Theatre.

OUR CREATIVE PARTNERS