Magnetic North is an award-winning theatre company based in Edinburgh, Scotland, formed in 1999 by theatre and opera director Nicholas Bone.
Our vision is to be leaders at the heart of ambitious artist-centred development and production in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
Our mission is to run a multi-art form programme of artist-centred development and production that creates significant paid opportunities for diverse individual artists at different career stages and produces a distinctive body of high quality work for audiences in Scotland, the UK and internationally.
Our purpose is to give artists from a range of disciplines and backgrounds the nourishment, focused support and production opportunities needed to continue developing and creating great work throughout their careers.
Our unique five part programme integrates artist development and support with production and has evolved in response to the needs of artists:
1. Rough Mix initial development: multi-artform creative labs to explore early ideas and encourage experimentation in a low-risk, supportive atmosphere.
2. Re-Mix further development: focused research and development of promising ideas towards commissioning and production.
3. Productions presenting finished work to audiences, usually through touring.
4. Space/Time creative retreats: reflection and renewal of practice through individual reflection and facilitated discussion of what nourishes creative processes.
5. Support ongoing support and nurturing of participating artists, including artist attachments, production support, mentoring, and creative assistant opportunities.
We have collaborated with organisations like the Southbank Centre, Tramway, Comar, Dundee Rep and Cumbernauld Theatre to produce work. Among our recent productions are Pass the Spoon - a collaboration with Turner Prize nominee David Shrigley and award-winning composer David Fennessy - A Walk at the Edge of the World - an award-winning collaboration with environmental artists Sans façon - and Sex and God - a play by the acclaimed playwright Linda McLean.
We are:
- Nicholas Bone Artistic Director
- Verity Leigh Producer
- Seona McClintock Artistic Administrator
- James Coutts Marketing Manager
Find out how to contact Magnetic North here.
Our Board of Directors is:
- Alex Hinton Marketing Manager, National Museums Scotland
- Alice McGrath Creative Director, Red Bridge Arts
- Lesley Anne Rose Writer & Producer
- Mark Saunders Director & Educator
- Nicholas Bone Artistic Director
- Paula Van Hagen Director, Chats Palace
- Sadie McKinlay Head of Development, Edinburgh International Festival
Publications:
Restless Exploration: 21 Years of Magnetic North (Magnetic North 2021) available direct from us for £10.00 plus £2.00 UK p&p
Several of our plays are published:
- A Walk at the Edge of the World (Magnetic North 2014) available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from us for £5.00 inc UK p&p (RRP £6.00)
- Sex and God (Nick Hern Books 2012) available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from us for £6.00 inc UK p&p (RRP £9.99)
- Pass the Spoon (Hayward Publishing 2012) available from Blackwells.
- Walden (Magnetic North 2009) available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from us for £4.00 inc UK p&p (RRP £4.99) very limited stock
- After Mary Rose (Magnetic North 2009) available This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. from us for £4.00 inc UK p&p (RRP £5.99)
- My Old Man (Capercaillie 2005) - now out of print.