Quondam

Who we are

Quondam is a professional performing arts company based in the Lake District and working with communities and community groups throughout the north of England and southern Scotland. They operate an accessible arts facility and manage arts development programmes, underpinned by a philosophy that everyone in society has the right to experience the thrill and joy of expressing themselves through their own creativity. They are committed to breaking down the barriers which prevent people from participating in the arts and their work is open to all. The Company’s production base in Penrith, The Play Station, is available to book by the hour, day, or weekend and is considered to be one of the best rehearsal spaces in the region. Quondam work with schools to create new artistic work which is based around the interests and cultural reference points of the participants. Their recent work in education includes a drama-documentary with young people from Kirby Steven exploring the history of the Settle to Carlisle railway and an exploration of the industrial heritage of the Cumbrian coast, again resulting in a drama documentary, with pupils from Workington. Their commitment to access means that they never audition, creating work that ensures that everyone has a part to play. In partnership with Cumbria Care, Quondam also co-ordinates Drangonfly theatre, a theatre company for adults with learning disabilities which tours the area including performances in schools. Quondam’s professional artists focus their skills on encouraging and developing the artist in all of us, bringing their own continuing professional development and knowledge of contemporary practice into the classroom. They collaborate with groups to make new work that springs from the culture and interests of the members, encouraging participation and ownership of the whole process. They encourage work that tells stories (Quondam means ‘once upon a time’), conscious that our stories define who we are, and what we will become.