Titilola Dawudu unveils first season as HighTide artistic director

Titilola Dawudu has revealed her inaugural season at the helm of HighTide which includes a new musical that will become the first show produced by a new East Anglian touring network. 

The programme of work also includes a new production of Kenny Emson’s The Disappearing Man, as well as the launch of a new writer development hub.

Dawudu, who succeeded Clare Slater as HighTide’s artistic director last June, said the season aimed to highlight talent across local regions "at every stage of their artistic journeys".

"My ambition is simple: to tell exciting, urgent stories in an uncertain climate - to back writers, take risks, and create work that feels alive to the world we’re living in," she said. 

The world premiere of Caroline: A New Musical, penned by Vikki Stone, will open Dawudu’s first season, and also represents the first show produced by the previously announced East Anglian Touring Consortium. 

Created by the likes of Mercury’s Colchester Theatre, Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and the New Wolsey Theatre, the consortium aims to tackle the difficulties of mid-scale touring by piloting a model focused on new writing and the development of local talent. 

Caroline: A New Musical, based on the true story of Britain’s radio revolution, will open on 22nd April at New Wolsey Theatre, and tour to a number of venues participating in the consortium, concluding its run at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. 

It is directed by New Wolsey Theatre artistic director Douglas Rintoul, with co-direction from co-creative director of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Alex Thorpe, and dramaturgy by Dawudu.

Later in the year, HighTide and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will present another new play, The Disappearing Man by Emson, which will open at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch before touring to Blackpool Grand Theatre, the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre and Key Theatre in Peterborough. 

Dawudu is also creating HT Studios, which is being billed as a new approach to writer development at HighTide, drawing on existing programmes including the Jerwood HighTide Writers Group, Playwrights East, and HighTide Rising. 

Using paid opportunities and development support, it aims to provide a "clear pipeline" for writers to build sustainable careers and progress into productions. 

Other highlights of Dawudu’s plans include a community project which will see Lowestoft locals create a series of audio works about life in the east of England. 

"It’s remarkable that, as a small organisation, we’re working with such an array of writers with connections to the East of England," Dawudu said. 

"This season is about highlighting the incredible talent of writers across the four regions we work in, at every stage of their artistic journeys."