<![CDATA[Contra Productions

<![CDATA[Contra Productions - News]]>Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:55:02 +0100Weebly<![CDATA[Circus and Theatre Tax Relief]]>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 08:50:58 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/circus-and-theatre-tax-relief

Photo credit: Anna Barclay

After over 12 months of wrangling, our Theatre Tax Relief claim has recently been approved. TTR is a government scheme that supports the arts by, in theory, rewarding the creative sector for its UK spending. It offers companies a tax rebate against the pre-production costs incurred in the making of a theatre production. In effect, commercial companies reduce their tax bill and non-profit-making companies receive a lump sum (a tax credit) of 40% or 45% of costs.

However, the criteria for eligibility throw up potential problems for contemporary circus companies, many of whom consider the performance work they make to fit the definition of theatre.

Perhaps unfamiliar with the sector, HMRC took some time to accept our production A Spectacle of Herself as qualifying.

We wanted to share our experience in case what we learned throughout this process is useful to other circus companies who are interested in making a claim, and to flag potential points of contention. Forewarned is forearmed.

Firstly, let’s look at the type of productions that qualify:

a play, opera, musical or other dramatic piece that tells a story, where the performances are live and the performers give their performances through the playing of roles
a ballet

The guidance goes on to qualify the circumstances in which circus is eligible:

circus production may qualify if the above conditions are met. For example a circus production which is scripted and is a dramatic production and the performers play a role may qualify as opposed to something like a high-wire trapeze performance, which is generally regarded as an indoor sport or a display of athleticism, skill or strength.

This was the sticking point for our claim, and it became incumbent upon us to demonstrate that A Spectacle of Herself fulfilled these criteria. This is the argument we outlined:

Although there is direct address and autobiographical content in A Spectacle of Herself, the show is tightly scripted, and there is heavily directed, refined action and choreography. Though the character ‘Laura’ is autobiographical, this is still a performed role. It would be possible to recast the ‘Laura’ role and for an actor to learn the part from the script. The artist’s preference is to perform this role herself, but the show could be performed by another actor.

A Spectacle of Herself acknowledges the breadth theatre as an artform, constantly in development.

Identity is a rich subject for playwrights and directors. We likened A Spectacle of Herself to verbatim plays, such as Grenfell: In the Words of the Survivors. In this play, actors played the roles in the original staging, but suppose it was remounted with the actual people depicted taking the parts themselves. A production such as this would still qualify since the actors would be playing a version of themselves: a role. Choices made around casting allow productions to examine questions of role and identity, as A Spectacle of Herself does.

Any role played, regardless of its origin, is still a performance, and, therefore, still theatre. There should be no automatic exclusion because the role has autobiographical elements. Interestingly, as we were researching our argument, we found legal precedent for roles in which performers play a version of themselves to be considered theatrical. In 2019, Lorraine Kelly won a legal tribunal based on the judge’s ruling that, as an ITV presenter, “all parts of the show are a performance, the act being to perform the role of a friendly, chatty and fun personality”. This is the case with the role of Laura in ASOH, with the added dimension of the show being tightly scripted. There is no room for improvisation.

We worked with an accountant to make the claim and, as part of the process, we had to submit documentation of the show, including our script, marketing material and press coverage. If you are a circus company making a claim, it’s worth having a file of evidence ready to support your case.

You can find more information about making a TTR claim on the government website.

Thanks to Accounting4Actors for doing the legwork (we highly recommend) and everyone who contributed thoughts, references or support, including through responses on a very helpful UK Theatre Producers thread.

]]><![CDATA[Offie awards 2025 - winner in innovation category]]>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:10:43 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/offie-award-2025-innovation-category

Photo credit - Piers Allardyce.

We were so delighted last week to receive an Offie - (Off West End Award) offwestendcome in the Innovation category for A Spectacle of Herself!

So wonderful to have the work recognised in this way.

Big ups to everyone who received a nomination, it was fantastic to be included alongside so many other brilliant artists and companies who are making some amazing work.

Sending out lots of love and big thanks to our wonderful team who all contributed to this work in some way.

Director: Ursula Martinez
Lighting Designer: Jenny Roxburgh
Video & Captions Designer: Ben glover
Filmmaker: Holly Noir
Filmmaker: Patch Desalis
Production Manager: Dean Sudders
Stage Manager: Hannah Chloe
Lighting Technician: Lloyd Devans
Access Consultant: Mary Sutherland
Access Support: Grania Pickard
Access Support: Jen Smethurst

And finally thanks go to our fantastic supporters - Battersea Arts Centre, Cambridge Junction, Carre Magique and, Arts Council England.

We hope that the emerging Springtime is treating you well and we are looking forward to seeing some new faces as we take A Spectacle of Herself! on tour again later this year.

Lor & Nicole

X

]]><![CDATA[Digital Culture Award Longlist]]>Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:21:31 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/digital-culture-award-longlist

A man in a sage green t-shirt and short brown hair, stands against a brick wall facing the camera with his arms folded.

Contra Productions is thrilled to announce that we've been longlisted for Arts Council England's 2025 Digital Culture Awards in the Digital Inclusion category for A Spectacle of Herself!

From the outset, we aimed to make A Spectacle of Herself accessible to d/Deaf and neurodivergent audiences by creatively integrating access elements that also enhanced the aesthetic and concept of the work. Our research began during a Jerwood circus residency at the National Centre for Circus Arts in 2022, where we collaborated with video artist Mark Morreaux and Deaf access consultant Max Sutherland. We were keen to explore how video projection could enable us to work on a much larger scale than before, taking the solo performance format and exploding it, to physically take up more space.

Mark's technical expertise allowed us to experiment with layering live performance and video, and we quickly realised the creative and technical advantages of using Hologauze, a fully silvered projection gauze developed by Stuart Warren Hill of Holotronica. This material enabled us to seamlessly integrate projection into live performance, allowing imagery and captions to float in space. We discovered that Hologauze could transform the stage into a multidimensional filmic, collaged environment, which resonated with us having used film to conduct early research into the show. Max Sutherland's contributions on creative captioning were invaluable. They introduced us to techniques for animating text to reflect the energy or mood of a scene. We also explored representing music visually, much like the animated scores in Disney's Fantasia.

These early explorations helped us understand how to balance creativity with clarity to ensure accessibility without compromising artistic integrity.

For the final production, we collaborated with Deaf video designer Ben Glover, who led on the captions and video design. The possibilities for creative captioning, with different fonts, animations, and aesthetic choices, were endless—but together we focused on creating a cohesive visual language that served the work's concept and provided visual detail for Deaf audiences. Ben also developed visual animations to visually score the music, which we layered with live onstage performances. When staging the show, Max and Ben gave essential perspective on the experience of the show for Deaf audiences, including sight-lines, text positioning, pacing, legibility, and how the video and captioning design supported the overall work.

Lighting designer Jenny Roxburgh faced the creative challenge of lighting on stage action while allowing projections and captions to shine without light spill on the gauze. Her beautiful design created a seamless dialogue between the live body and the projected visuals, enhancing the collage effect, holding the energy of the scenes and ensuring that the hologauze could work its magic, floating captions and animations in space without visual interference.

Last but not least, Filmmaker Holly Black played an integral role, filming and editing all the video content for the production which grew from a research film we created together in 2021. Holly has a real talent for capturing and presenting autobiography, environment and text and creating playful connections. This early film allowed us to explore the juxtaposition between the micro and macro: the human body and its messy experiences set against footage of outer space—a motif carried through both the spoken narrative and visuals of the live show.

We're so proud that this inclusive, interdisciplinary approach has been recognised. Special thanks to all the brilliant collaborators who made this possible!

If you work in the creative and cultural sector, check out the Digital Culture Network for free digital support. Find out more or contact them at digitalnetwork@artscouncil.org.uk to book a digital Diagnostic.

X (Twitter) - @ace_dcn // @ace_national
LinkedIn - Digital Culture Network // Arts Council England
Instagram - aceagrams
Facebook - @artscouncilofengland

]]><![CDATA[NEW Autumn TOUR DATES]]>Thu, 03 Oct 2024 11:52:07 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/new-autumn-tour-dates

We are so excited to announce that both Contra and A Spectacle of Herself have shows coming up this Autumn in the UK and Europe.

CONTRA

9th & 10th October - La Biennale, Toulouse

A SPECTACLE OF HERSELF

19th & 20th November - No Limits, Berlin
28th November - Worthing Theatres
4th & 5th December - Les Halles, Brussels

Contra - 'Fierce, witty and uncompromising, this highly physical show interrogates personal, social and historical occupations of the female body and explores, literally, where such bodies are positioned and how we are meant to look at them.'

‘A Spectacle of Herself navigates the personal and political to seek out new worlds and ways to be seen.’

Hope to see you soon in a theatre somewhere.

We can't wait to see you!!
*All shows are captioned*

Photo @HollyRevell

]]><![CDATA[Workshop at The Battersea Arts Centre]]>Tue, 06 Aug 2024 13:42:02 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/workshop-at-the-battersea-arts-centre

In July we ran a Writing From The Body Workshop at the Battersea Arts Centre. It was great to be back at BAC! It’s such a lush and welcoming space to be in. The Writing From The Body Workshops explore the body and its experiences as impetus for writing and devising performance work. This two-day workshop explored strategies for generating and working with text, devising physical material from text, delving into creative and critical conversations and also giving participants an insight into Laura’s work.

These are some of the very nice things people said about the workshop:

“A renewed sense- Fuck yes, I wanna do more of this! Feeling refreshed and inspired about making work and being creative.”

“Laura is incredible, and works inclusively to ensure everyone’s voice is not only heard but amplified through autobiography. Feeling empowered and creative.” -

Thanks to everyone who came along, for making such a generous, fun and supportive space!

We are planning to do more workshops, however, do get in touch if you would like to book one or if you want to know more about what we do.

You can also see our upcoming workshops below, in Toulouse, France:

Université Jean Jaurès 11th-12th October 24
Ésacto'Lido 14th - 15th October 24

]]><![CDATA[Happy February from Contra productions!]]>Wed, 31 Jan 2024 11:13:10 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/happy-february-from-contra-productions

We just wanted to let you know what’s been happening and what’s coming up for us.

In August 2023, we premiered Laura’s new solo show A Spectacle of Herself at the Edinburgh Fringe, supported by Summerhall’s Mary Dick Award. It was really exciting (and nerve wracking) to take a brand new show to the Fringe and we were delighted by all of the reviews and new audience connections, and we were of course over the moon to receive a Summerhall Lustrum Award!
September to December: We did a U.K. tour of ASOH to these venues Derby Festé - Déda, Derby, Circus City Festival - Bristol, Jacksons Lane - London, Cambridge Junction and The Lowry - Salford. We also performed Contra at Zirkusquartier in Zurich, Switzerland.
We’ve been collaborating with Bristol charity Off The Record, to run a theatre club for queer young people who use their services - we want more young, queer people in theatres, feeding back on work and taking up space.
Laura has been busy teaching aerial rope and autobiographical writing workshops for physical performers in both the UK and at Stockholm University of the Arts.

Upcoming;

We’re very excited that A Spectacle of Herself is part of Battersea Arts Centre’s Spring programme and will be on from the 23rd - 27th June. Tickets are available here.
We are planning both U.K. and Europe tour dates for A Spectacle of Herself and Contra. We’ll let you know as soon as these are announced.

We are planning more workshops for 2024, so keep an eye on our workshops page for more info.

Hope to see you soon in a theatre somewhere.

Stay warm, enjoy the longer days and fuck the patriarchy.

Lor & Nicole

]]><![CDATA[battersea arts centre]]>Thu, 25 Jan 2024 17:12:26 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/battersea-arts-centre

We are so excited to announce that A Spectacle of Herself is going to be presented as part of @batterseaartscentre ‘s Spring program!!!

April 23-27th 2024!

‘A Spectacle of Herself navigates the personal and political to seek out new worlds and ways to be seen.’

Click the link for tickets through @batterseaartscentre’s website.
*All shows are captioned*

London we can’t wait to see you !!
Xx ❤️‍🔥 xx

Photo @ineptgravity

]]><![CDATA[Workshop: writing from the body]]>Thu, 05 Oct 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/workshop-writing-from-the-body

Writing from the Body: Devising Text and Movement.

A two-part workshop exploring autobiographical writing and circus choreography with Laura Murphy

Dates: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th October 2023
Times: Saturday - 10am-4pm. Sunday - 10am-2pm
Location: Saturday - Arnolfini.
Sunday - The Island Training Space

Cost: Early Bird £90 or £100 full price for both days. There are two subsidised £50 places available on a first come first served basis for anyone who needs it. Please contact tickets@bristolcircuscity.com

Follow this link for tickets: select Saturday 14th October 2023 in Ticket Selection for full weekend tickets.

Laura Murphy will offer an insight into the making process underpinning their unique performance practice, which connects and combines autobiographical writing with aerial choreography, lip syncing and movement. Laura is internationally recognised for their innovative approach to circus making, aerial choreography and contemporary performance. Their practice centres the politics of the everyday, the importance of having a voice and telling stories to (un) F**k the system!

Starting with the body and autobiographical experience as impetus for writing and devising performance work, this two-part workshop will explore strategies for generating and working with text, devising physical material from text, delving into creative and critical conversations and also giving participants an insight into Laura’s work. Participants will be guided through creative writing exercises and devising skills to generate material, and unlock new directions in their approach to making work.

Day 1: Getting to know you, Laura’s work, writing practices, generating material (writing workshop)
Day 2: Devising from writing (physical devising workshop)

Suitable for professional circus artists and physical practitioners, and advanced students. Prerequisite: aerial artists must be proficient in their discipline and own safety requirements.

Content warning: video material shown in the workshop may contain nudity, swearing and references to sexual violence

]]><![CDATA[A Spectacle of Herself wins Lustrum Award for outstanding work in theatre]]>Fri, 11 Aug 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/lustrum-award

Laura Murphy, A Spectacle Of Herself, Contra Productions

We’re over the moon that Laura Murphy’s A Spectacle of Herself has been awarded the Lustrum Award for outstanding work in theatre at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe.

Awarded by the owner of Summerhall, Robert McDowell, the award is given to the favourite company and show of the Summerhall programme.

Join us on tour! A Spectacle of Herself tours around the UK this Autumn to:

Derby Festé - Déda 21st September
Circus City, Bristol 6th & 7th October
Jacksons Lane, London 1st November
Cambridge Junction 9th November
Lowry, Salford 28th November

]]><![CDATA[Theatre Travels Review of A Spectacle of Herself]]>Thu, 10 Aug 2023 23:00:00 GMThttps://www.contra-productions.co.uk/news/theatre-travels-review-of-a-spectacle-of-herselfLaura Murphy, Contra and Carré Magique present the stunning “A Spectacle of Herself” at Summerhall. Directed with assurance by the great Ursula Martinez and performed by savvy Laura Murphy herself this is an audacious sequence of scenes exploring the frontiers of mental health, queerness, rage and the 21st Century space race. All of which off an alternate vision of being a woman in the world and on stage.

Laura Murphy is a genre-defying queer performance maker from Bristol, who makes text-driven and dynamic physical performance about things that she thinks needs to be talked about. Challenging, intimate and spectacular, her work is a cross-disciplinary fusion of theatre, live art, circus, and verbal explosion.

Technology is both form and content and Murphy’s video project work throughout the show is both innovative, accessible, and artful. When it starts it does feel like we are in for some critical theory and that the show “may be good for us”. But fear not, autobiography collides with creative practice to create a gym for the mind and a feast for the eyes. The aerial work is stunning and the resonant images and journey from the opening images of a fully clothed body to that of the closing images of the naked body are potent.

Lived experience of autism, everyday sexism, violence, and abuse pepper the content. The lone male genius gets a poke. Using direct address, lip synch and karaoke, the work navigates the personal and political, to seek out new worlds and ways to be seen and question the status quo. To be honest, the karaoke scene didn’t work for me – I just didn’t get it but I do love Whitney Houston. The final message is “Fuck the Patriarchy.” This is not the kind of show you take mum and dad to on a Saturday night (maybe you should) but it goes a long way to filling the void between easily digestible mainstream feminist fare and powerful, empowering, and provocative work. It’s the kind of thing that stays with you.

Mesmerising!

It's a super short premiere season in Edinburgh. I predict you will catch it on the festival circuit around the world.

Read the full review ]]>