Frequently Asked Questions

Who are Volcano Theatre Company?

Volcano Theatre Company has a permanent staff of four: two artistic directors (who also write, perform and direct) and two management/administration staff. All technical staff and performers are employed on a show-by-show or tour-by-tour basis, and we work with freelance designers, directors, choreographers etc. Inevitably, certain people work with us regularly, and so there is a "pool" of individuals who contribute much to the company's identity. Formed in 1987 by Paul Davies, Fern Smith and Andrew Jones, the Company is based in Swansea in South Wales but has toured, directed and taught extensively in the UK and has also presented its work internationally in Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, the DDR, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kosova, Latvia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Switzerland. For more information on Volcano people, click here.


How is Volcano Funded?

Volcano's core revenue funding comes from the Arts Council of Wales. We have sometimes received funding from the Arts Council of England for specific productions and tours in the UK and our international touring is often assisted by the British Council. Volcano occasionally receives sponsorship from the private sector and has in the past received commissions for new shows, most recently This Imaginary Woman. The company relies heavily on ticket sales and performance fees to sustain its high standard of touring productions.


What can I expect from a Volcano show?

Volcano Theatre Company is often described as a "physical theatre" company, and has developed a reputation for an energetic, muscular, choreographed performance style. Nevertheless, the company has only partially embraced this definition, and rather regards its undeniable physicality as one of the several component parts of its theatrical language, which also affords importance to visual design, text, video, music etc. Volcano shows seek to exploit the possibilities of surprise, confrontation, immediacy and excitement offered by live performance. They are unashamedly non-naturalistic. Design tends to be bold, striking and unfussy. Volcano's theatre is determinedly political, setting itself against the complacent, the orthodox, and the bland. The company's repertoire ranges from experimental new writing and devised work to iconoclastic reworkings or deconstructions of classics.


Where can I find out about current Volcano shows and other activities?

The news page on this website will announce forthcoming tours, workshops etc. For regular updates on up and coming productions and other information you could also join the Volcano Mailing List.


Can I participate in a Volcano workshop?

Volcano workshops range from professional development courses suitable for up-and-coming theatre professionals, to specific skills workshops suitable for performers of all levels, to give-it-a-go sessions where the only qualification needed is a willingness to try new things and work as a group. Unless stated otherwise, our workshops are aimed at adults aged 18 and over. If you are part of an educational establishment or performance group, you may wish to arrange for the company to provide a workshop for your group. For the costs and other requirements for this, please click here. If you are an individual looking to participate in a workshop, you will need to keep an eye on the workshops page of this site or join the mailing list to find out about the workshops on offer. Often, venues to which we are touring will arrange for the company to provide a workshop alongside the show.


I want to work for Volcano. How can I get involved?

Can I audition/submit a script?
Because the company usually produces only two or three shows a year, and these tend to be small-scale, the number of CVs and scripts we receive hugely outnumbers actual casting opportunities or openings for new work. For this reason, we are unable to promise a response to unsolicited submissions of any kind, although we endeavour to reply to reasonable enquiries wherever possible. We do not usually respond to circulars, requests not addressed to a named individual, or CVs without a covering letter. The company is extremely unlikely to produce unsolicited scripts. Casting vacancies are usually advertised via SBS, on the Theatre in Wales website and on the news page of this site, and applicants will then be auditioned by invitation only. Auditions are often in the form of a day or half day workshop.

Can I do work experience with the company?
Volcano has offered a wide range of work experience placements in the past from shadowing directors, to working on PR and publicity or Arts Management. All work experience placements are unpaid and can run from one week to four weeks. Places are limited and all prospective candidates must demonstrate commitment, initiative, and a clear idea of the type of work experience programme they are looking for. If you want to get involved then you can contact us.

Volcano is also currently piloting an Arts Management Apprenticeship scheme. The scheme is currently a twelve-week placement which involves work-based learning with one to one supervision as well as numerous opportunities to gain accredited qualifications from associations such as the Independent Theatre Council and SCVS. For any further information on this scheme please contact Katie Keeler at Volcano Theatre Company or Cathi Marcus at Arts Training Wales.



If you think there are any other questions that should be answered in this section please drop us an email.