“It’s all about highly talented people coming together in a creative environment to present a theatrical experience for audiences way beyond their expectations. So began what we call the ‘Balancing Act Family’. As well as being committed to producing high quality theatre, we firmly believe that the journey is every bit as important as the destination and so all of our productions and rehearsal processes are planned to ensure that everyone involved has a joyous and, at times, life-changing experience.”
From 2001, Balancing Act presented many one-act plays in various drama festivals with award-winning success, culminating in 2012 /2013 when Chris Graham directed Joe’s one-act play The Swing in two drama festivals winning awards in her first directorial role. Then in 2013 Mind the Gap went on to win awards at various drama festivals.
Stepping out of the festival circuit in 2009 Dancing to the Sound of Crunching Snails‚ was produced at the OFS Studio, Oxford as part of Oxfringe and then as part of the 24:7 Festival in Manchester, directed by Joyce Branagh and starring Michael Starke (Brookside). In 2009 Balancing Act also produced A Fistful of Mondays at the OFS Studio, Oxford to record-breaking audiences. This production created such a magical atmosphere, throughout its run, that it led to the number 1 UK Tour of Rhinestone Mondays starring Shaun Williamson (EastEnders, Extras); Faye Tozer (Steps, Tell Me On A Sunday); Ian H Watkins (Steps, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Lyn Paul (The New Seekers, Blood Brothers).
Balancing Act returned to the OFS Studio in May 2010 with a showcase production of Joe’s comedy Fun Run, followed by the outrageously funny, Spare Prick in September 2013 to great reaction from audiences. In 2015 Balancing Act produced the family musical Quasimodo a GoGo at the Unicorn Theatre, Abingdon; a unique theatre set in the grounds of a ruined Abbey, which was the perfect venue to present this musical comedy aimed at the whole family.
Events of the past few years (and some time concentrating on screenplay writing) have put onstage matters on hold for a little while, but Balancing Act returned in May 2023 with a powerful production of The Murmuration of Starlings, a love story that deals with dementia. The success of this production has sprung things back into action and in Autumn 2024 Balancing Act will present a revival of the hilarious romantic comedy, A Fistful of Mondays at the Witney Corn Exchange, followed by the bold and unique idea to present the world première of the sequel, For a Few Mondays More soon after in Spring 2025. In the process they will reunite some of the original cast and fully paid-up members of the ‘Balancing Act Family’, as well as discovering and introducing some new family members.
