Pip Utton

Pip Utton Theatre Company

Pip Utton Theatre Co is the current title of my production and touring company.

"I came into this mad business late in life, I had had no training and I was positive that it would only be a matter of time before my genius was discovered. After a while I realised that it might be a matter of rather a long time. Pip Utton Theatre Co is the outcome of deciding that if no one was going to discover me I should do it myself. Calling the company after myself, credited as the writer and as the performer ensured that my name was prominent on posters and flyers and now on this site! Things will change. In the future there will plays written by other writers, performed by other actors but my name ’ll be at the top – I’ll make sure of that.

Eleven years ago a friend (Jeremy Towler) and I decided we would write a play and take the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. Wanting to be as near to the first entry as possible in the programme, which was then alphabetic, we called ourselves ‘About Time Company’. But the Fringe was not ready for us that year, nor the next unfortunately and so we held on to our day jobs (temporarily you understand). And then I had a hit playing Tony Hancock in Heathcote Williams’ Hancock’s Last Half Hour – performing under the banner ‘Company Theatre’. I gave up my day job and with the rave reviews still ringing in my ears I sat at home out of work, but expecting the phone call any minute, for twelve months. 

Two years later Adolf  launched me on to the touring circuit. It was eventually produced and directed by Guy Masterson and so I toured under his company name. I still produced work as Company Theatre myself, but when Guy and I decided I was old enough to go out by myself, I took a leaf out of his book and put my name at the top of the poster. It was going to be Pip Utton Productions but PUP is not an acronym that foretells fame and fortune."

Collaborators

I have been lucky to work with some of the most talented people available. Those most closely influential on my work are here. All have become friends and I would be overjoyed to get the opportunity to work with any of them again. Click the above link to meet them.

Merlin Theatre, Frome

Theatre companies need a base, and what could be better than the nearest theatre. Paula Hammond, the Merlin’s director, and I have put together an exciting plan whereby Pip Utton Theatre Co becomes the theatre in residence at The Merlin. The Merlin has rehearsal, technical and marketing facilities that are of great benefit to the company and in turn I bring directors, actors and designers to a theatre that is at the heart of Frome Community College. Having shows in production in the theatre does I hope, bring even more artistic energy to what is already a dynamic venue.    

For more information on Merlin Theatre click www.merlintheatre.co.uk

British Council

Pip gratefully acknowledges the help and support of the British Council, and is proud to have been selected for inclusion in their ‘Drama in Profile’ publication.
To see more of the British Council's superb support of the performance arts click British Council.

Arts Council England

Pip is indebted to the Arts Council for their general support of his work and for specific projects.

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