The Joint Stock Theatre Company was founded in London in 1974 by David Hare, Max Stafford-Clark Paul Kember and David Aukin. The director William Gaskill was also part of the company. It was primarily a company which presented new plays.
Joint Stock created a style of working with writers using company research to inspire workshops. From these workshops writers such as David Hare, Howard Brenton and Caryl Churchill would gather material to inspire a writing phase before rehearsals began. This methodology is sometimes referred to as The Joint Stock Method. Significant productions include Hare's Fanshen, Brenton's Epsom Downs , Stephen Lowe's Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and Churchill's Cloud Nine .
The company ceased to be active in 1989. In 1993 Max Stafford-Clark founded the touring company Out of Joint which shares some working practices with Joint Stock.
| Production | Writer | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Speakers | adapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker' | Birmingham Repertory Studio and tour | 1974 |
| Shivvers | by Stanley Eveling | Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs | 1974 |
| X | by Barry Reckord | Theatre Upstairs and Royal Court | 1974 |
| Fourth Day Like Four Long Months of Absence | by Colin Bennett | Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs | 1974 |
| Doomduckers Ball | a company adaptation based on an idea by Neil Johnston | Oval House and Theatre Upstairs | 1975 |
| Fanshen | by David Hare, adapted from William Hinton | Crucible Studio Theatre and Sheffield | 1975 |
| Yesterday’s News | Company devised | West End Centre and Theatre Upstairs | 1976 |
| Light Shining in Buckinghamshire | Caryl Churchill | Traverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs | 1976 |
| The Speakers (revival) | adapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker' | International tour | 1976 |
| Devil’s Island | Tony Bicât | Sherman Theatre and Royal Court | 1977 |
| A Thought in Three Parts | Wallace Shawn | ICA | 1977 |
| A Mad World, My Masters | Barrie Keeffe | Young Vic and Roundhouse | 1977 |
| Epsom Downs | Howard Brenton | Roundhouse | 1977 |
| The Glad Hand | Snoo Wilson | Royal Court Theatre | 1978 |
| The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists | Stephen Lowe, based on the book by Robert Tressell | Plymouth Arts Centre and Riverside Studios | 1978 |
| Cloud Nine | Caryl Churchill | Dartington College of the Arts | 1979 |
| The House | David Halliwell | Dartington Hall | 1979 |
| An Optimistic Thrust | Company devised | Nuffield Studio Theatre | 1980 |
| Cloud Nine (revival) | Caryl Churchill | Royal Court | 1980 |
| Say Your Prayers | Nick Darke | College of St. Mark and St. John | 1981 |
| Borderline | Hanif Kureishi | Jackson’s Lane Community Centre and Royal Court Theatre | 1981 |
| Deadlines | Stephen Wakelam | Royal Court & Crucible Theatre, Sheffield | 1985 |
| Sanctuary | Ralph Brown | Drill Hall & Salisbury Playhouse | 1987 |