![]() | |
Established | 2010 |
---|---|
Founder | Charleen Qwaye, Steven Green |
Academic affiliation | Awarding partner Falmouth University |
Location | London , United Kingdom |
Website | https://www.fourthmonkey.co.uk |
Fourth Monkey (formerly named Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company) is a drama school, theatre company and charity arts organisation.
Fourth Monkey provides vocational training in acting for stage and screen as well as preparing artists for voice acting and motion capture at their specialist training centre, The Monkey House.
Fourth Monkey was founded in 2010 by Charleen Qwaye and Steven Green.
Fourth Monkey (the name is inspired by the fourth monkey of the three wise monkeys fable, Shizaru, who does ‘nothing other than good.’) was formed by Steven Green, the company's Artistic Director, with the intention to create an alternative to conventional drama school training. [1]
Fourth Monkey has a particular focus on training artists to create their own opportunities. Their Emerging Artists programme provides support and mentorship to new companies formed in training
Initially only a one-year course "The Year of the Monkey" the company, in 2012, began providing a two-year programme ("Two Year Rep") as well. Today, Fourth Monkey offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses and the curriculum has been celebrated for its decolonisation by the awarding partner Falmouth University.
Alongside Fourth Monkey's approach to training, the company is noted for its theatre productions. Although performing in a wide range of theatrical styles and genres, they are generally recognised for their work in repertory theatre, ensemble theatre, physical theatre, in-yer-face theatre, site-specific theatre, and fringe theatre.
The Fourth Monkey Ensemble is the professional touring arm of the company. Born out of the training programme, the company's aim is to deliver original, physical theatre nationally and internationally. The Ensemble toured in 2014 – 2015 with their acclaimed OFFIE nominated production of The Elephant Man, which was supported by Arts Council England.
Fourth Monkey performed annually at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (from 2010 – 2018), where they earned a following. The company has since shifted their focus towards partaking in the Camden Fringe, performing annually at the festival since 2017. [2]
Fourth Monkey has collaborated – and created work in association – with theatre companies such as All In Theatre, [3] Clay & Diamonds, [4] Complicite, [5] Fevered Sleep, [3] Rhum & Clay, [6] Shunt, [7] The Spanish Theatre Company, [8] Theatre Re, [9] Theatre Témoin, [3] and Told by an Idiot. [10] [3]
The company also offers a variety of short courses and intensive programmes.
In September 2015, the company announced they had set up their own premises "The Monkey House" on Seven Sisters Road near Finsbury Park, having previously taught in locations such as Jacksons Lane. [11]
The Monkey House is also a London Fringe performance space, and since 2017 has annually played host to a number of shows for the Camden Fringe. [12]
Fourth Monkey has a long history of both audience and critical reviews for their performances of established texts and company-devised projects. [13]
Camden Fringe Season 2019
Two Year Rep production
Fourth Monkey's Cult Season (YOM productions)
Two Year Rep – First Year Devised Show 2019
Fourth Monkey at The Cervantes 2019
A showcase of performed excerpts from translations of Spanish and Latin American plays. Performed in association with The Cervantes Theatre, London.
Redemption Season (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2019)
YOM Devised Season 2019
Of Land & Sea Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2019)
Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2018
Two Year Rep production:
Scandal Season (YOM productions, part of the 2018 Camden Fringe)
Fourth Monkey at The Cervantes 2018
A showcase of performed excerpts from new translations of Spanish and Latin American plays. Performed in association with The Cervantes Theatre, London.
Two Year Rep – First Year Devised Show 2018
Season of War (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2018)
YOM Devised Season 2018
Fire & Water Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2018) [20]
Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2017 [2]
Two Year Rep productions:
Fourth Monkey's Women of Greece (YOM productions, part of Edinburgh & Camden Fringe Seasons 2017)
Orlando: The Queer Element
Two Year Rep – First Year Devised Show 2017
Conflict Season(Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2017) [30] [2]
YOM Devised Season 2017
Fall of Man Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2017) [31] [2]
Fourth Monkey's Genesis and Revelation (Edinburgh Fringe Season 2016) [32] [33]
Two Year Rep productions:
YOM productions:
The Russian Season (Two Year Rep Contemporary Season 2016) [44]
Two Year Rep – First Year Devised Show 2016
YOM Devised Season 2016
The Revenge Season (Two Year Rep Classical Season 2016) [44]
Fourth Monkey's Grimm Tales (Edinburgh Fringe Season 2015) [47] [48] [49]
Transformation Season [59] [60]
Contemporary Season 2015 [61]
Shakespeare's Comedies Season [63] [64] [65]
Fourth Monkey Ensemble 2014/15 [70] [71]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2014 [81]
Trinity Buoy Wharf Season 2014 [104] [93] [105]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2013 [117] [118]
Trinity Buoy Wharf Season 2013 [131]
Edinburgh Fringe Season 2012 [143]
London Spring Rep Season 2012 [163] [144]
London Rep Season 2011 [167] [168]
Year | Award Ceremony | Category | Nominee | Production | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Off West End Awards | OffFest – Short Run | Fourth Monkey | Valhalla | Nominated [177] |
2015 | The Stage | School of the Year [178] | Fourth Monkey | Shortlisted | |
2015 | Off West End Awards | Best Male Actor [179] [180] | Daniel Chrisostomou | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2015 | Off West End Awards | Best Production [179] [180] | Fourth Monkey Ensemble | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2014 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show | Fourth Monkey Two Year Rep | Alice | Won |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Set Designer [181] [180] | Zahra Mansouri | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Costume Designer [181] [180] | Zahra Mansouri | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2014 | Off West End Awards | Best Ensemble [181] [180] | Fourth Monkey | The Peculiar Tale of Pablo Picasso and the Mona Lisa | Nominated |
2012 | Off West End Awards | Best Lighting Designer [182] | Pablo Baz | 4.48 Psychosis | Nominated |
2012 | Amnesty International | Freedom of Expression Award [183] [72] | Fourth Monkey | The Elephant Man | Nominated |
2012 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show [183] | Fourth Monkey | 4.48 Psychosis | Won |
2010 | Edinburgh Fringe | Sell-Out Show [183] | Fourth Monkey | A Clockwork Orange | Won |