The London Bus Theatre Company

The London Bus Theatre Company is a registered Community Interest Company and is one of the leading Theatre in Education groups in the UK. We are funded by Council’s NHS Trusts, Police Forces, Essex PCC, The Big Lottery, The Arts Council and many other Trusts and Foundations.

Working in the community since 2001

We are in constant demand as our work is of the highest quality and has proved to be cost effective for crime and disorder, substance misuse initiatives and anti-bullying campaigns. BP, Umbro, Tesco, Starbucks and the Co-operative group have sponsored a wide range of projects since 2001.

Our mission statement is to acknowledge the needs of disadvantaged groups whilst giving energy to those who are often silent. Priority is given to innovative and exemplary projects that address inequality of access and lack of opportunity to experience and enjoy the arts.

London Bus regularly attends and runs Youth Forums to ensure all projects are focused and meeting a real need in the community.

The London Bus Theatre Company has a Safe Guarding Policy, Child Protection Policy and DBS checks are carried out on all staff working with children.

Drama workshop diversity

Age is just a number

Our drama workshops are wholly inclusive regardless of race, creed, SEN status or social circumstances because of the varied mix in youth clubs and schools.

Our workshops provide equal opportunity for everyone involved no matter where the seminar is located or the age of the young people involved.

Equal Opportunities

All London Bus staff, paid and unpaid, are recruited on merit and in accordance with The London Bus Theatre Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy.

The London Bus Theatre Company encourage a broad and diverse range of applicants and aim to make our service responsive to user’s comments, both complimentary and critical.

Protection Policies

The London Bus Theatre Company has a written complaints procedure for staff and clients.

The London Bus Theatre Company has a Safe Guarding Policy, Child Protection Policy, Data Protection Policy and DBS checks are carried out on all staff working with children.

A unique approach

The London Bus approach is unique. Based on Augusto Boal’s Forum Theatre of the Oppressed and run by Bristol Old Vic trained workshop leaders, the formats feature total involvement from the students and find general solutions to problems collectively.

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Full time staff
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Part time young actors

We have two full time staff, nine part time young actors and a large number of regular volunteers.

hand in hand we teach

Skilled and experienced guidance

Students in groups devise their own short plays on the previous workshop exercises. These are presented to the other group members who are encouraged to suggest approaches to the issues. Via skilled and experienced guidance from workshop leaders, sensible solutions are arrived at by consensus.

Interactive learning

As actors, every part of the dramatic process is relevant and empowering to the entire peer group.

This interactive method allows the pupils to grasp ownership of their own destinies and willingly accept certain behavioral choices. We have found that if you show something to someone, they usually forget it. If you involve them, they invariably understand it.

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Meet the team

Our team is a diverse mix of media professionals, police officers, retired teachers and young people involved with our current projects.

Chris Turner

Chris Turner trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Chris was once the singer in the band ‘Tonight’ and appeared on TOTP, Crackerjack and Tiswas. A keen runner and football player in his spare time, Chris brings his natural enthusiasm and strong personal skills to workshops and group activities. He is a talented musician and singer.

Credits

2023
Writer and Director of short films on the effect of fast fashion and the environment for Essex CC
2018-2022
Writer and Director of three short films for Essex PFCC.
2013–2017

Writer and Director of the second feature film and project “Angels vs Bullies 2”
2009-2012
Writer and Director of the feature film “Angels vs Bullies”
2003
Television, Langley, Keen Eddie, Paramount, Nick Gomez
2002
Video, Presenter, Kick It Smoking, Kick It Bullying, The London Bus Theatre Company, Caroline Loncq
2001
Television, Seb Coe, Bird And Fortune ll, Vera Productions Ltd, Steve Connelly
2000
Music Video, Singer/Songwriter, Pond Life, Warner Music
1998
Television, Customs Officer, The Knock, Bronson Knight Productions, Frank W. Smith

Katherine Austen

Katherine organises the majority of projects for The London Bus Theatre Company and is the driving force behind sponsorship and grants.

Credits

2023
Katherine produced short films on fast fashion, vaping littering and pollution funded by Essex CC.

2018 – 2022
Katherine produced three short films for Essex PFCC.

2017
Katherine produced second feature film “Angels vs Bullies 2”

2009 – 2012
Katherine produced and played the part of “Mrs McGregor” in the feature film “Angels vs Bullies”.

2007
Katherine was cast by Director Peter Richardson to play the part of “Angie” in “Call Mickey”.

Katherine Austen, Chair of The London Bus Theatre Company has played the part of “Justine” in the BBC series “Between the lines”.

Other credits include QVC “The Look” British Gas commercial and PC Austen in “Turn Around Charlie”.

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