Alongside our board of trustees, the Forest Forge team have been working to ensure the shaping of our legacy following the announcement of our closure in June.
Prioritising a sense of continuation, we’ve supported several previous projects in their new forms. These include:
– The Furnace: a network of New Forest theatre makers
– The Nightjar: Suitcase Stories, a production with locally based African Activities
– Branching Out: drama sessions for adults with learning disabilities, with support from Blue Apple Theatre
– Wordsmiths: creative writing workshops with Culture in Common
Other groups and activities that originated within Forest Forge will continue in varying forms. Young Company, our group for emerging theatre makers has since been reformed as Undergrove Theatre, who are looking to make exciting new theatre for the New Forest and beyond. A legacy project for Forest Forge’s long-standing work experience programme Elevate is also underway, focusing on supporting artists in making work with young people. Our production of Christmas shows will continue solely with Bumblefly Theatre, who we have previously partnered with.
We also recently delivered a longstanding project in partnership with Dorchester Arts’ The Scripts The Thing. The writer’s commission recipient Imogen Usherwood presented an extract of her play ‘The Rufus Stone’ at this year’s festival.
In October, we embarked on the rehoming of our theatre equipment. Our Ringwood storage unit was open for two weeks, with a plea of encouragement to visit the store and give second lives to a plethora of props, costumes or technical equipment. Items were provided to over 55 local theatre makers, schools, and community groups. We also donated office equipment and tools to local groups and companies including The Men’s Shed, Dorset Scrap Store, Southampton Scrap Store, and Dorset Reclaim.
This closure period also saw the release of Forge Ahead Commissions: a reallocation of the company’s remaining funds to support local artists and organisations with grants of between £500 – £5,000. Since then, 12 local artists have been supported in their projects. The chosen projects deliver on one of the three areas of delivery that Forest Forge pursued throughout our 45 years: rural touring theatre, participation or community arts participation, and artist development.
As our final legacy offering, we have crafted and published a 300 page book. This resource celebrates the work of Forest Forge and acts as a handbook for aspiring theatre makers. With limited copies, the book will be distributed among our network and within libraries and creative institutions across the country.
Lucy Phillips, Co-Artistic Director says:
“Forest Forge has a special place in our audience, participants, artists, and staff’s hearts. We hope we have done the company proud in closing in a way that ensured everyone got to say goodbye, have some fun, that we have worked as ethically as possible in rehoming or recycling as much as we possibly could. Thank you to everyone who has come to see a show, been part of our participation, worked alongside us, Forest Forge is who it is because of the people. Theatre is fleeting in its nature – people gather and watch together and then it is gone. Forest Forge does leave a space but we hope this gives room for new things to grow.”
Lizanne Smith Head, Chair of Trustees says:
“Throughout this difficult time at Forest Forge, I have been incredibly proud of the compassion and consideration shown by the staff, trustees, artists and participants. We have been determined to remain true to the values of Forest Forge, honouring its rich 45 year history while actively supporting the continuation of existing projects, the development of local artists and the creation of new work. I look forward to seeing how the legacy of Forest Forge continues to inspire people in years to come. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has stood alongside us and supported the team and wider Forest Forge community.”
Forest Forge Theatre Company will voluntarily (and solvently) enter liquidation on 30 November.
All remaining funds will be donated to two regional arts and cultural organisations. These have been selected by the trustees and the liquidator as the best fit for Forest Forge’s work and ethos.