Idle Discourse is a London-based storytelling company founded in 2016.
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The company is inspired by Beckett’s call to action in his seminal play Waiting for Godot: the plea from Vladimir that they must make the most of life through doing things, to change the world. “Let us not waste our time in idle discourse! Let us do something, while we have the chance!”
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It’s debatable whether they ever actually manage to do anything – and Beckett knew this.
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All we can do whilst we are on this planet is engage in some idle discourse, and the art of storytelling has its provenance in this. The nights we idly discourse away are the ones where true progression is made; the chats in the pub when we put the world to rights; anecdotes from friends and family; ghost stories by the fireside; an evening at the theatre.
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We revel in the chance to waste our time in idle discourse —we hope you’ll join us.
Stories
Tales from Star City (2020 U.K. tour)
Tales from Star City (2020 U.K. tour)Ascending Ages
Axolotl (2019)
Pericles
Tales from Star City (2019)
Axolotl (2018)
The Comedy of Errors
The Chainsaw Manicure (2018)
Tales from Star City (2018)
The Signalman
The Chainsaw Manicure (2017)
Steel Tumbleweed
Testimonials
Partners
We are very fortunate to have worked with, or been supported by, the following venues and companies.
Team
DAN DAWES
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Artistic Director
Dan co-founded Idle Discourse in 2016. He is a writer and director, having formerly worked as an actor for five years. He is also a qualified teacher. Dan read Education with English and Drama at the University of Cambridge and grew up in Portsmouth. He identifies as working class and is keen to support the work of other artists from similar backgrounds. Dan sits on the board of Green Shoes Arts, a company that provides classes for disadvantaged children and facilitates workshops to adults with learning difficulties.
NINA FLITMAN
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Producer
Nina is one of the founders of Idle Discourse, and has worked as a producer on every project to date. She also sits on the Board of Trustees at The Questors Theatre, Ealing - the largest community theatre in Europe. Nina read English and Classics at the University of Durham, and has an MPhil in Medieval Literature from the University of Cambridge. When not working in the theatre, Nina is a senior editor at a financial publication, writing about syndicated loans and leveraged finance.
FREQUENT COLLABORATORS
NATASHA VASANDANI
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Videographer / Actor
JULIAN STARR
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Sound Designer / Production Manager
SARA PAGE
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Choreographer
EMMA SHAW
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Producer
We are always looking to collaborate with people who share our passion for exceptional storytelling. So if you're a creative and wish to work with us, please get in touch.
MATT PART
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Sound Designer / Composer
TOM GRACE
Photographer / Actor
CLAIRE DURRANT
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Design Consultant
