Formation | 2010 |
---|---|
Type | Theatre group |
Purpose | Actor Training, Ensemble Theatre, Repertory Theatre |
Location |
|
Artistic director(s) | Steve Green (Founder) |
Website | http://www.fourthmonkey.co.uk/ |
Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company (formerly named Fourth Monkey Theatre Company) is both a repertory theatre company, and an actor training provider and drama school for young actors.
Based in North London, United Kingdom, Fourth Monkey provides an alternative to traditional conservatoire training or drama school.[1] In addition to receiving training in London, Fourth Monkey's actors travel and perform throughout the UK and overseas in a repertory style.
Alongside Fourth Monkey's approach to training, the company is noted for their theatre productions. Although performing in a wide range of theatrical styles and genres, they are generally recognised for their work in repertory theatre, ensemble theatre, physical theatre, in-yer-face theatre, site-specific theatre, and fringe theatre.
Fourth Monkey (the name is a variation on the three wise monkeys pictorial maxim) was formed by Steven Green, the company's Artistic Director. His intention was to create a hands-on alternative to drama school training.[2]
Initially only a one-year course ("The Year of the Monkey") the company, in 2012, began providing a two-year programme ("Two Year Rep") as well. Some actors train at Fourth Monkey for three years, graduating from the one-year programme onto the two-year. The company also offers a variety of Short Courses & Intensive Programmes.
The Fourth Monkey Ensemble is the professional touring arm of the company. Born out of the training programme, the company's aim is to deliver original, physical theatre nationally and internationally. The Ensemble toured in 2014 - 2015 with their acclaimed OFFIE nominated production of The Elephant Man, which was supported by Arts Council England.
Fourth Monkey performed annually at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (from 2010 - 2018), where they earned a following. The company has since shifted their focus towards partaking in the Camden Fringe, performing annually at the festival since 2017.[3]
The company is also noted for having actors (on the Two Year Rep course) spend a month-long residency in Italy training with world renowned maestro of commedia dell'arte Antonio Fava.[4][5]
Currently, Fourth Monkey consists of over 100 students, split between the one-year "Year of the Monkey" course, and the "Two Year Rep" course.[2] The company, in partnership with The Stage, offers a full scholarship annually to two prospective students.[6][7][8]
Fourth Monkey has collaborated - and created work in association - with theatre companies such as All In Theatre,[9] Clay & Diamonds,[10] Complicite,[5] Fevered Sleep,[9] Rhum & Clay,[11] Shunt,[12] The Spanish Theatre Company,[13] Theatre Re,[14] Theatre Témoin,[9] and Told by an Idiot.[15][9]
In September 2015 the company announced they had set up their own premises "The Monkey House" on Seven Sisters Road near Finsbury Park where they plan to stay permanently,[16] having previously taught in locations such as Jacksons Lane.[17]
The Monkey House is also a London Fringe performance space, and since 2017 has annually played host to a number of shows for the Camden Fringe.[18]
Fourth Monkey has a long history of both audience and critical reviews for their performances of established texts and company-devised projects.[19]
Camden Fringe Season 2019
Two Year Rep production
Fourth Monkey's Cult Season (YOM productions)
Two Year Rep - First Year Devised Show 2019
Fourth Monkey at The Cervantes 2019
A showcase of performed excerpts from translations of Spanish and Latin American plays. Performed in association with The Cervantes Theatre, London.
Redemption Season (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2019)
YOM Devised Season 2019
Of Land & Sea Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2019)
Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2018
Two Year Rep production:
Scandal Season (YOM productions, part of the 2018 Camden Fringe)
Fourth Monkey at The Cervantes 2018
A showcase of performed excerpts from new translations of Spanish and Latin American plays. Performed in association with The Cervantes Theatre, London.
Two Year Rep - First Year Devised Show 2018
Season of War (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2018)
YOM Devised Season 2018
Fire & Water Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2018)[26]
Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2017[3]
Two Year Rep productions:
Fourth Monkey's Women of Greece (YOM productions, part of Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2017)
Orlando: The Queer Element
Two Year Rep - First Year Devised Show 2017
Conflict Season(Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2017)[36][3]
YOM Devised Season 2017
Fall of Man Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2017)[37][3]
Fourth Monkey's Genesis and Revelation (Edinburgh Fringe Season 2016)[38][39]
Two Year Rep productions:
YOM productions:
The Russian Season (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2016)[50]
Two Year Rep - First Year Devised Show 2016
YOM Devised Season 2016
The Revenge Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2016)[50]
Fourth Monkey's Grimm Tales (Edinburgh Fringe Season 2015)[53][54][55]
Contemporary Season 2015[67]
Shakespeare's Comedies Season[69][70][71]
Tamburlaine The Great[72][73][53]
Fourth Monkey Ensemble 2014/15[76][77]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2014[87]
Trinity Buoy Wharf Season 2014[110][99][111]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2013[123][124]
Trinity Buoy Wharf Season 2013[137]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2012[149]
London Spring Rep Season 2012[169][150]
London Rep Season 2011[173][174]
Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Production | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Off West End Awards | OffFest - Short Run | Fourth Monkey | Valhalla | Nominated[183] |
2015 | The Stage | School of the Year[184] | Fourth Monkey | Shortlisted | |
2015 | Off West End Awards | Best Male Actor[185][186] | Daniel Chrisostomou | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2015 | Off West End Awards | Best Production[185][186] | Fourth Monkey Ensemble | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2014 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show | Fourth Monkey Two Year Rep | Alice | Won |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Set Designer[187][186] | Zahra Mansouri | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Costume Designer[187][186] | Zahra Mansouri | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Ensemble[187][186] | Fourth Monkey | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2012 | Off West End Awards | Best Lighting Designer[188] | Pablo Baz | 4.48 Psychosis | Nominated |
2012 | Amnesty International | Freedom of Expression Award[189][78] | Fourth Monkey | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2012 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show[189] | Fourth Monkey | 4.48 Psychosis | Won |
2010 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show[189] | Fourth Monkey | A Clockwork Orange | Won |