Lawrence Batley associates head for UK tour and Broadway
- Alan Hulme
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
Inspired and helped by Huddersfield's Lawrence Batley Theatre, work from new associate artists dancer/choreographer Gary Clarke and playwright Philip Stokes will be touring the UK and going to New York's Broadway.
The pair have a collaborative relationship with the Huddersfield theatre, receiving space to develop new shows and the opportunity to showcase new work.
Leeds-based writer Philip Stokes's critically-acclaimed plays have had sold-out runs across the globe, winning many awards. LBT has supported his work since 2022 with his Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me at the Edinburgh Fringe, which had an award-winning run on the Australian fringe in Adelaide.
The partnership has seen further success with shows including LASH and Shellshocked, which will run in New York – a first for an LBT supported show. The theatre is now supporting Philip's new play Brighton ‘84 - set in the Grand Hotel, Brighton on the infamous 1984 night when it was bombed by the IRA during the Conservative Party Conference, killing several party members. The play has its premiere on the theatre’s Cellar stage this summer.
Philip said: “It's an absolute honour to be named as an associate artist. Without the theatre's help and support, there's no way my work would have been able to tour so extensively. We’ve won multiple awards together and received incredible reviews. Shellshocked opens in New York in May and is testament to the hard work, enthusiasm and love of all the team at Lawrence Batley Theatre.”
Gary Clarke is a choreographer, director, performer, mentor, teacher and facilitator who has worked with some of the world's most prolific dance companies and choreographers. He is artistic director of the Gary Clarke Company, an award-winning dance company based in Barnsley. As a student in 1999 he saw a contemporary dance performance at the Lawrence Batley that inspired him to pursue a career as a dance artist, ultimately forming his own company.
The theatre has supported the Gary Clarke Company's new show, Detention, which will visit LBT as part of its UK tour this summer.
Gary said: “Aged 16 I saw a dance show at Lawrence Batley that changed my life and inspired me to want to work in the arts. Since then, it's been wonderful to develop a long-term, deep-rooted relationship with the theatre, its staff and audiences."
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