Savage Heart is a new writing theatre company based in Brighton run by theatre makers Joy Forsythe (director / producer )  and Rachel Mae Brady (writer / director / producer / dramaturg). Following the success of our show 'Wolf Tamer' which was a Top 3 Finalist for both the Best Newcomer and Best New Play Awards at Brighton Fringe 2019, we formed Savage Heart in March 2020. The company was originally based between Oxford and Brighton.

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Despite lockdown, we produced our second show in 2020, though the closure of theatres meant we had to explore new ways of working. #WeAreNotEven is an online 'Social Media Play' adapted by Corrina O'Beirne from her prize winning short story 'Variation of Molly', performed by Rachel Mae Brady and directed by Joy Forsythe, featuring Roseanne Lynch as Joanna.  #WeAreNotEven was performed and filmed entirely on a mobile phone by Rachel and directed by Joy via Zoom. We had thousands of views over Instagram, Facebook and X. 

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In 2022 we staged a rehearsed reading of our third show, THIRST in Brighton, featuring Charlotte Duffy, Isabella McCarthy Sommerville, Heather Rose Andrews, Michael Ross, Vita Oldershaw, and Lorraine Yu. Written by Rachel-Mae Brady and directed by Joy Forsythe, THIRST is an exploration of rage, Capitalism and power dynamics set in a London call centre. THIRST (previously called SMASH!) was selected for theatre showcase 'emanate' in 2020, where we performed a 15 minute segment for an industry audience. The performance featured an original percussion score composed by Emma King (Stomp!).

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In 2022 we relocated to Brighton and started running drama and performance courses for adults. We now have six groups across Brighton, Shoreham-by-Sea, and Worthing and we are continuing to grow!

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In 2023 we established our regular new writing night DARK BITES; short, unsettling stories by Sussex writers, told by local actors. Our first DARK BITES took place at The Actors' Theatre in Kemp Town in February 2023. We received over thirty writing submissions and sold our first event. We took DARK BITES 2 to Theatre Royal Brighton as a promenade event for Halloween 2023, and sold out all five performances. We are currently accepting submissions for DARK BITES 3.

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Our latest venture in 2024 is to stage the first BRIGHTON 24 HOUR PLAY FESTIVAL at Theatre Royal Brighton on the 11th and 12th April. You can read more about this adrenaline fueled project, HERE.

 

Rachel was recently selected for '503Five', an eighteen month writing residency with Theatre503 and is developing a new play with seed funding, masterclasses, and dramaturgical support from the theatre.

 

We are always interested in new collaborations with artists and theatre makers from different disciplines. If you have an idea for a collaboration, get in touch. 

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