We are delighted to announce that Fiona Mackinnon is working with Lung Ha Theatre Company as Associate Director for the next six months. We are absolutely thrilled to have her back with us and look forward to sharing more about what she’s working on soon.

Fiona said: “I’m incredibly excited to be working with Lung Ha in this new capacity, as they enter their 40th anniversary year. I appreciate the trust and support they have given me to develop this new role and I am looking forward to learning more about artistic leadership, facilitating the Tuesday evening sessions and continuing my work running Lung Ha Across Scotland.  Lung Ha is my favourite Theatre Company – a repertory company that continues to push boundaries artistically and exemplifies ensemble in the truest definition of the word.”

On the 11th June 2023 we attended the CATS Awards at the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh. Our co-production of Castle Lennox was nominated for two Critics Awards for Theatre in Scotland in the following categories:

Outstanding Performance – Emma McCaffrey

Best Ensemble – Royal Lyceum Theatre and Lung Ha Theatre Company

We were delighted and amazed when Castle Lennox won Best Ensemble! Thom Dibdin of AllEdinburgh Theatre said:

“Castle Lennox, saw possibly the most brilliantly diverse cast on any stage this year bring a complex play about a truly shameful element of Scotland’s social history to light. Lung Ha always create work which impresses but this production, which we have had to wait so many years to see, took their unique method of using an all-professional cast of people with and without learning disabilities to a new level with a production that was frequently funny as well as utterly heartbreaking.”

We would like to thank our co-producers at the Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, and all of the cast, support team, creative and production teams that work so hard both on stage and behind the scenes to make the production happen. It is this dedicated and thoughtful team work that makes our ensemble shine. Congratulations to all the other nominees and winners who shared the stage that night. As you can see from the photo we were very happy to be there!

Lung Ha Theatre Company is seeking a visionary individual to join our team as Executive Director to lead Lung Ha Theatre Company in this exciting next phase of its development which will consolidate our position as Scotland’s leading theatre company working with adults with learning disabilities and autism. We are proud to say that our company provides a platform and voice for people whose stories are not always heard. We have a five-year plan which offers the opportunity for our actors to participate in award-winning work that sits proudly at the heart of Scotland’s creative output and speaks to the wider world.

Application deadline – Friday 29th September 12pm (midday)

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 3 October with members of the Lung Ha Board. Second round of interviews will take place on Tuesday 10 October. Please advise if you have any prior commitments when submitting your application.

Terms and Conditions

  • Hours: Full-time hours are 35 hours per week (excluding lunch breaks), Monday–Friday, however flexibility is essential. The post holder(s) will be expected to work some evenings and weekends in line with production schedules.
  • Salary: £39-45K dependent on experience.
  • Contract: Either a full-time contract for 1 person, or job share with part-time contracts for 2 people. We support flexible working. Contracts will be subject to continued multi-year funding from Creative Scotland and a probation period of 6 months.
  • Location: Lung Ha office, Grindlay Street, Edinburgh with some travel around Scotland, and a blended approach to office and home working.
  • Notice Period: 3 months’ notice on either side.
  • Holiday entitlement: 28 days annual leave
  • Pension: The company will contribute 3% of salary to People’s Partnership
  • Safeguarding: This position is subject to a satisfactory PVG registration with Disclosure Scotland.

Accessibility:  If you require copies of documentation in alternative formats, please contact libby.daye@lungha.com.  If you have any access requirements, should you be invited to interview, please let us know.

Please apply by sending a CV and Cover Letter to the Chair of the Board, Kate Skinner c/o libby.daye@lungha.com

Please see below for the full Job Description, Lung Ha Theatre Company organisation structure and a summary of the Business Plan (2023-2028).

I loved the work.

Sculpture, sound, dance, lights.  

Calm moments, scary moments.

Animals and humans.

We’re all beings.

We’re all alive.

Bettina Szabo in Habitat. Credit Drago Videmšek

Bettina Szabo is the dancer and the Artistic Director of Petrikor Danse.  She answered a few of my questions on Messenger.

Have you been dancing since you were a kid?

I started at 16, I did figure skating before that.

What does your body say in the morning?

It depends on the morning, right now my body is sore, but moreover happy and thankful.  And I am super proud of the boundaries it is breaking right now because in dance we rarely do more that 4 shows, so I am growing a lot with this Fringe experience.

How do you get your body ready for the show?

I wake up early, have a piece of fruit, go for a 20 minute run, then do a bit of yoga and meditation.  The real consistent… breakfast breakfast.  And then there is a second warm up before the show where I dance batucada, and do some extra yoga to its rhythm and some more meditation.  Warming up my wrists is essential and my back of course.

Habitat is on at Dance Base at 1pm every day until 27th August. Tickets available by clicking on the following link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/habitat

Reviewer: Mairi Picken

I went to see Land Under Wave as part of the Fringe. This show consisted of stories which sprung from the performers’ ideas on Scottish folklore, modern themes and mysteries of nature. The three storytellers took turns which helped engage the audience and allowed them to hear a variety of tales showing how different people’s creativity can be. The addition of live music together with the tones of their voices made the atmosphere sometimes feel frightening, surprising, joyful and optimistic. The show also involved audience interaction which, alongside the obscure tales, made the listeners think and question their beliefs. Although some might find this show creepy at times I would recommend it. It is on at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street, until the 27th of August.

To book your tickets, click on the following link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22land%20under%20waves%22

Reviewer: Amy McCombes

As part of the Free Fringe I went to see 129.5 Steps to Autistic Success. In this stand up comedy, the performer talked about his life story, including his recent autism diagnosis and how he felt this explained his behaviour when he was younger. I found it easy to relate to when he was discussing his anxiety, organisational skills, and obsessive focus on his passions. I admired the fact he saw the positive and humorous side of his problems which cleverly showed that not always fitting in shouldn’t make someone feel down. It inspired me that he used these jokes concerning his autism in an attempt to make his shows more popular than they were at the festival previously, before his diagnosis.

However there were some bits I found harder to relate to, and he possibly exaggerated often to make it funnier, so I am not sure how much this show could educate people on autism. I would definitely still recommend it. It is at the City Cafe until the 27th of August.

To book your tickets, click the following link: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/129-5-steps-to-autistic-success

Reviewer: Amy McCombes

I went to see The Black Blues Brothers as part of the Fringe. In this show, performers use a variety of props and miming to engage the audience and add comedy, despite using very few words. Their confidence and fitness help to make their audience admire them while often surprising people a lot, leading to frequent applause. Popular music was also used to help create the atmosphere and went well with the obviously carefully rehearsed and planned dance routines, finding chances to allow for some members of the audience to participate for short periods. I would definitely recommend it. This show is on at the Assembly Rooms until the 27th of August.

Credit: Fiery Entertainment

Tickets available by clicking the following link: https://assemblyfestival.com/whats-on/the-black-blues-brothers

Reviewer: Amy McCombes

It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of John Edgar. 

John died peacefully at home on the 12th July at the age of 77, following a brief period of illness. 

John was a much loved and well-respected member of the Lung Ha ensemble who dedicated almost 30 years to being an actor with Lung Ha Theatre Company. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and had the pleasure of working with him. 

A highly skilled actor, John became part of the Lung Ha ensemble in 1993. He always brought a positive energy to rehearsals and his professionalism helped many of the actors to develop their acting skills. John was an actor who could play both comedy (like the incredibly funny and moving Bob in Linda McLean’s play Thingummy Bob) and drama ( Antigone, Three Sisters) and his last production was the long-awaited musical Castle Lennox.

John’s legacy will stay with Lung Ha Theatre Company for years to come, and he will be remembered as both a talented actor and the true gentleman he was.

John is survived by his wife Linda Edgar.

On Tuesday the 29 of August we are holding an evening to celebrate John’s time with Lung Ha Theatre Company. This will be a private event and an opportunity for the ensemble and those who worked closely with John to come together and remember him. If you wish to share your memories of John you can do so via our social media (facebook.com/lunghas), or by emailing info@lungha.com.

With sherbet and a whole lot of humour, Sean And Daro Flake It ‘Til They Make It tells the tale of the challenges of friendship and how valuable it can be.

Sean (Sean Connor) and Daro (Cameron Fulton) have just returned from Sean’s mother’s funeral and Daro shares an idea with Sean that changes both lives forever.

Connor and Fulton play Sean and Daro with incredible gusto. Both have brilliant comedic timing throughout and portray the emotional journey of the characters very well.

Cameron Fulton and Sean Connor as Daro and Sean. Credit Mihaela Bodlovic

Renny Robertson’s lighting, sound design by Novasound and Karen Tennant’s set and costume add a brilliant layer of memory to the piece: the ice cream van in particular and the ice cream jingle is something a lot of people will remember from childhood.

At the centre of this piece is a very moving, funny and emotional script by Laurie Motherwell and brilliant direction by Robert Softley Gale. All these things combined make for a wonderful theatre experience about the trials and tribulations of friendship and life in general.

On now at the Traverse Theatre until 20 August. Times vary. To book tickets, visit the theatre’s website.

★★★

Reviewer: Gavin Yule

Lung Ha Theatre Company is pleased to be holding auditions for new members. 

Auditions are open to anyone over the age of 18 who has a learning disability or autism and is interested in being part of our professional, hard-working and creative ensemble. No previous acting experience is necessary – just a positive attitude and a passion for theatre. We welcome people from diverse backgrounds who have a real interest in joining our company, and who enjoy working with other people.  

Our ensemble of 25 actors meets every Tuesday evening throughout the year for performer training to learn acting, movement and voice skills and present small scale and full company professional theatre productions through more intensive rehearsal periods. There are also other creative development opportunities to work with artists and companies from the wider performing arts community.   

If you would like to apply for our auditions, please complete the online form here: https://forms.office.com/e/c8KmnBYUwN  (alternative format information is also available by emailing info@lungha.com) 

If you have any questions, contact us by email info@lungha.com or by phone 0131 221 9568. 

The deadline to apply for an audition is 5pm on Monday 1st May 2023, and auditions will be held on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th May.

We are delighted to announce that Arron Greechan has joined the team as our new Development Officer.

Speaking about joining Lung Ha, Arron said:

“It is such an exciting time to be joining the team at Lung Ha in the lead up to Castle Lennox taking to the stage at the Lyceum. I look forward to playing my part in the ambition that Lung Ha in the years ahead”.

Arron joins Lung Ha in this new role, having worked with companies such as HighTide, Hopscotch Theatre, and Babel Theatre, where he continues in post as Creative Producer.

**DEADLINE EXTENDED**

As Scotland’s leading theatre company for actors with a learning disability Lung Ha Theatre Company (LHTC) engages its actors, develops their practice, removes barriers to participation and delivers high quality theatre productions. LHTC provides a platform for people whose stories are not always heard. The award-winning work of LHTC sits proudly at the heart of Scotland’s creative output. Much has been achieved, there remains much more to do. 

Since its inception in 1984, LHTC has worked with over 400 actors, created over 50 original productions, and worked with many artists and organisations from across Scotland’s creative industries.  The company has collaborated with many companies including organisations based in Europe and Australia.  The company has developed a loyal, committed and growing audience base.

In recognition of its work the company has been in receipt of key investment from Creative Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council as well as a wide range of Trusts and Foundations. 

Through the creation of work of the highest quality LHTC aims to tackle the perception of what learning disabled actors can achieve. Raising expectations, creating equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusivity are at the centre of the company’s philosophy, ambition and heart.

The Development Officer has a key role in driving forward the continued success and ambition of the company.

Vision: 

Lung Ha Theatre Company champions the talent and ambition of learning disabled artists to make fabulous theatre. 

Values:  

LHTC is a people led and focused organisation.  It is an organisation that values those with whom it interacts. 

Artistic Excellence: our work will have impact and be of high quality 

Collaboration: we actively seek opportunities to work with new people and organisations, to learn to work in new ways and share our skills, knowledge and experience  

Integrity: we will act with integrity in all aspects of our work, and demonstrate high levels of honesty, reliability, equality, transparency and professionalism.  

Respect: we will treat everyone that we encounter with respect and courtesy.  

Bold: we will be a brave and courageous company that pushes boundaries and gives a voice to people who may otherwise feel marginalised from wider society. 

Charitable Purpose:

‘To create, nurture, develop and deliver performing arts and other creative opportunities, by and with, individuals with learning disabilities.’ 

Job Title:

Development Officer

Job type:                            Fixed term contract – for a twelve month period.

Hours of work:                  16 hours per week – schedule to be agreed

Location:                            Hybrid working – Home and Office (30b Grindlay Street); a minimum of 8 hours per week must be office based – LHTC has an office that is used on a ‘hot-desk’ basis.

The Development Officer reports, and is accountable, to the Executive Director.

Role Summary (key purpose)

To raise investment, from sources both public and private, in Lung Ha Theatre Company to enable the company to deliver on its creative and financial targets.  To take responsibility for financial targets. 

The generation of income / investment, and developing pathways to new sources of income / investment, are critical components of the role.

Responsibilities:

  • to work with the Executive Director, with the support of the Business Development Strategist, to devise, set, agree and achieve targets for investment from public and private bodies.
  • to undertake thorough and ongoing research into possible sources of investment – to devise an investment plan / schedule.
  • to generate investment from, and manage ongoing relationships with, grant givers and Trusts and Foundations to achieve (and when possible exceed) agreed targets.
  • to devise effective pathways to raise investment from individual giving and donations through the LHTC website, social channels and through working directly with the LHTC PR agency.
  • to work closely with the Artistic and Executive Directors on project plans to ensure funding deadlines are made.
  • to complete all documentation required for successful investment applications including enquiries, applications and reporting.
  • to maintain excellent communications with investors at all times.
  • to work closely with the Business Development Strategist, as required, on wider conversations around LHTC’s investment strategy
  • to be accountable for the success, or otherwise, of agreed targets.
  • to provide regular updates on progress to the Executive and Artistic Directors.
  • to generate reports as required to monitor funding status.
  • to be familiar with the LHTC 5-year Business Plan and understand the requirement for investment
  • to undertake any other work as would be considered appropriate and reasonable for the Development Officer.

Required skills:

  • Experience of drafting and submitting funding applications and of generating income – for both core and project based activities.
  • Experience of undertaking research required to reach out to new sources of investment.
  • Experience of generating income though individual giving and donations.
  • Experience of setting and agreeing financial targets.
  • Experience of devising fundraising campaigns.
  • Experience of working to achieve the outputs of an organisational plan.
  • Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
  • The ability to see investment applications to their completion – to include End of Project reporting.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • A genuine interest in accessibility, inclusivity and equality of opportunity in the arts
  • Experience of creating, and nurturing, new and existing, investment partners and collaborators

Desirable qualities:

  • Experience of the creative and cultural sectors.

Terms and Conditions of employment:

Salary – £30,000: pro rata – £12,000

16 hour working week (schedule of work tbc) – there will be flexibility required at various times across the year.

20 days (pro rata) annual leave plus 8 public holidays (on a pro rata basis).

Flexible working will be supported by LHTC with the requirement of some office-based work and face-to-face meetings on a weekly basis.

The position is a one-year fixed term contract.

LHTC is a Fair Work organisation.

You will be offered the opportunity to join the Lung Ha Theatre Company stakeholder pension scheme

A full list of terms and conditions of employment are attached with this document.

To apply for this position please email a CV and Cover Letter to info@lungha.com; please include ‘Development Officer’ in the subject line.   

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, 7 December at 5pm.

Candidates will then be selected for an interview.

Lung Ha Theatre Company

30b Grindlay Street

Edinburgh

EH3 9AX

Company number: SC131622

Charity number: SCO17635