The Ding Foundation creates high quality, original theatre using a cross range of art forms (puppetry, music, physical theatre), telling stories which are accessible to diverse, predominantly adult (12+) audiences. Our work is often devised and we are interested in creating striking visual narratives around socially relevant themes which explore some of the nature and absurdity of human existence. Our shows often use minimal text and original sound-scores enabling us to connect to many audiences and nationalities.
The Ding Foundation is run by its two Artistic Directors, Hannah Marshall and Amelia Pimlott. Who collaborate with highly skilled artists and performers in different fields to develop new work.
Alongside our productions which we tour to theatres, arts centres and festivals, we offer workshops with students, the public and communities, putting us in touch with potential audiences and enabling valuable exploration for future productions.
I trained as a designer and maker at Nottingham Trent
University but later gained a strong grounding in devised theatre through working
with the People Show. I started The Ding Foundation to make original work for
adults using puppetry and animation. I am also a free-lance designer/puppet and
prop maker and have worked with amongst
others: Slot Machine, Norden Farm, Angela de Castro, People Show, The Kosh, Little
Angel Theatre, Indefinite Articles, Theatre Centre and National Theatre.
HANNAH MARSHALL Co-Artistic Director
I studied at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, soon after I got involved in making music for physical and visual theatre with Theatre Edible, Improbable theatre and People Show. Going on to compose music and create sound designs for theatre productions, performance and puppetry with amongst others Indefinite Articles, The Little Angel Theatre, 20 Stories High, Norwich Puppet Theatre, A2 and The Young Vic. I joined The Ding Foundation on our first production 'Being a Bird' because of my interest in creating total theatre.
Internationally renowned clown Angela de Castro collaborated with The Ding Foundation on the development of Wild Life. She is a leading theatre practitioner, actor, educator and director, well known for her course ‘How To Be A Stupid’. She creates and tours her own shows with her company Contemporary Clowning Projects whose shows include ‘The Gift’ , ‘My Life Is Like A Yo Yo’, ‘Only Fools (no horses)’. She has performed with companies including The Clod Ensemble, National Theatre and Young Vic and regularly mentors and directs theatre and circus companies including NoFit State Circus.
JOANNA HOLDEN
Joanna Holden is a an actress, clown and physical performer who worked with the Ding Foundation on Wild life, devising and performing the central character. Previous theatre work includes performances at Bristol Old Vic, Manchester Royal Exchange, Northern Stage (Founder Member), Svenska Theatre Finland, Soho Theatre and with companies including Told by an Idiot, Kneehigh, Cirque Du Soleil and Cartoon de Salvo.
CHLOE PURCELL
Chloe Purcell worked on Wild Life as a devisor and puppeteer. She is a puppeteer, animator and maker, having built & performed with puppets for theatre, film, television, commercials and music videos. She has worked at The Little Angel Theatre and has produced and toured with her own puppetry shows throughout the UK and internationally including The Puppet Grinder Cabaret. She has worked as a visiting lecturer at the Central School of Speech and Drama and the Institute of Education.
Miranda Porter was assistant director on Wild Life. They are a performer, director and facilitator of physical based performance. They studied at Rose Bruford College in addition to training with Philippe Gaulier, Angela de Castro and at ESAD Murcia in Spain. Recent collaboration include Generation Arts, Decoupage Collective and The Larder. Miranda is currently touring their devised performance, S/he/it Happens across the UK and abroad.
STEVE TIPLADY
Steve Tiplady is a puppeteer and director. He collaborated on The Ding Foundation's Hanging by a Thread and assisted with puppetry direction and devising on Wild Life. He is Co-artistic director of Indefinite Articles whose work has toured nationally and internationally. He has directed puppetry and performed with companies including The Royal Opera, RSC, Improbable Theatre, The Little Angel Theatre & The Mighty Boosh.
Fiona collaborated with The Ding Foundation on the development of Wild Life. She is dancer and physical performer and has an extensive experience of devising work with companies such as The Kosh, People Show and her own company Slot Machine.
