THEATRE 17
I AM JOHN CLARE - A Solo Performance Drama of approximately 45 minutes.
Theatre 17 was founded in 2017 by award-winning writer/director Stephen Loveless and actor/musician Robin Hillman. Based in Northamptonshire, the company specialises in small-scale touring theatre, primarily around the East Midlands area and occasionally further afield.
Following Stephen’s unfortunate death in 2019, and the onset shortly afterwards of the Covid pandemic, the company became dormant until 2023, when Kevin Buxton joined the team as writer/director/actor. In 2024, the company embarked upon their current projects with the intention of building upon the strong foundation established by Stephen and continuing his excellent work into the future.
I AM JOHN CLARE - A Solo Performance Drama of approximately 45 minutes.
The company’s current productions are:
DEATH OF A CLOWN - a one-man show about the Elizabethan comic actor, Will Kemp.
BALLADS & BLUES, DEVILS & BOOZE - a musical roots revue.
THE COMPANY
Actor/Musician: Robin Hillman
Robin has spent several decades performing as an actor, fiddle-player and singer. For Theatre 17, he was John Clare in the one-man show I Am John Clare, written and directed by the late Stephen Loveless, performing this acclaimed show many times over the course of several years. He was also William Blake in the one-man show Fearful Symmetry, The Locksmith in Something Scary, and also played the title role in Jack Luck. All these plays were written and directed by Stephen Loveless. He currently plays Will Kemp in Death of a Clown as well as performing in Ballads & Blues, Devils & Booze.
Writer/Director/Actor/Musician: Kevin Buxton
Kevin has been involved in the worlds of theatre and music for over 40 years, as a writer, director, actor, musician, and latterly as a music promoter. Early in his career he ran his own touring revue company before working as a freelance scriptwriter for television. Death Of A Clown marks his return to the theatre after many years, during which he has focussed primarily on music projects as well as writing fiction. He also performs in Ballads & Blues, Devils & Booze.
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Staging: Weekes Baptiste
Formerly the Artistic Director of Northampton Youth Theatre, Weekes has over 40 years of experience in professional theatre both on and off stage. His strength is as a writer/director, and to date he has written over a dozen original plays for children of all ages and adults, performed throughout the UK. In 2021, Weekes was awarded a prestigious award for his work and outstanding contribution to youth theatre in Northamptonshire.
