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 Initially a community theatre project founded in York in 1977, today Riding Lights is touring up to three diverse companies simultaneously throughout the UK and abroad. The Company is recognised both as a pioneer in reinstating the value of theatre in Christian communication and for significant original and artistic achievement.
"Energy, humour and biting satire on modern morality"
- Burton Mail (Walkout!)
Sharp, satirical comedy, innovative theatre and
powerful communication have become the hallmarks of Riding Lights' work.
The Company has written devised and produced a wide range of original
plays for stage and radio, as well as educational shows, TV scripts,
musicals and innumberable sketches throughout its 25 year history. In
addition, it has been acclaimed for mainstream productions of classic
plays and memorable stage adaptions of other literature.
"The best piece of theatre I've seen in ages"
- Manager, Wycombe Swan Theatre (Roughshod Gospel)
Awards have been won at the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as for local broadcasting and, most recently, one of the world's most prestigious religious awards, the UK Templeton Project Award. In the great tradition established centuries ago with the medieval Mystery Plays, a broad Christian perspective undergirds and enlivens all the company's work.
"A delightful production... the combination of Mystery play and pantomime works wonderfully well"
- The Stage (On Christmas Night)
 OUR VISION
 The vision of Riding Lights Theatre Company is
- To stage high quality productions of both new and classic theatre
- To reach a broad audience with work of lasting value
- To reawaken a strong dramatic tradition within the christian community
The work of Riding Lights Theatre Company is informed by a christian faith which is shared by many of those who work for it. What does this 'christian faith' mean to Riding Lights and what are its implications for such a public craft as the theatre?
"Our understanding is that human life flourishes within a framework which is defined by God who created this world. In Jesus Christ, he provided a means of rescue from everything which makes his creation less than perfect. He maintains a loving purpose for the world which can be discovered by each individual who travels through it. So the whole of life is there to be explored and assessed, not least through the theatre.
While we all wrestle with human failure and the problems it causes, ideals can have the greatest significance and the words that come from the lips of Christ continue to inspire us. For Riding Lights, that inspiration provides the hub for a whole range of activities - a still point for the broadest and most inclusive engagement with the whole spectrum of human endeavour.
The value of the theatre we produce can be measured in various ways:
- It seeks to build a strong awareness of community through shared experiences of life and entertainment.
- It is staged to serve the needs of theatres, schools, prisons and local groups - often in places where live performance is rare.
- It is a creative response to the hopes and fears of our audiences as we commission new plays and re-interpret the classics, or any play that gives us wisdom and insight into the human condition.
- It seeks to be a forum of social conscience, addressing any issue where justice, peace or the well-being of one person might be threatened by the actions of another.
- It tries to develop the talents of others through workshops and training in all aspects of theatrecraft.
There is no agenda hidden behind Riding Lights Theatre Company. Our aim, quite simply, is to allow the public process of theatre to open windows through which anybody might gain a little more light on the journey which, we believe, God walks with us."
Paul Burbridge
Artistic Director
RIDING LIGHTS STAFF
Click here to find out who the people are behind Riding Lights...
BECOME A MEMBER
Riding Lights members support the work of Riding Lights throughout the country... Click here for more information or to become a member.
CHARITY
Riding Lights is a Registered Charity (Number 1070142)
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