Nicholas Barton-Wines – by Michael Kelly
What’s in a title?
I direct. I devise. I write. I dramaturg. I facilitate.
I make theatre.
Originally from Essex, I’m now based in Glasgow after training for my BA Acting at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
I am drawn to work which is thematically rich and innately theatrical; stories of places where the rules aren’t quite the same as here and now. My projects have roots in the future, collectivism, dreaming, grief, legacy, and the deep desire to reach beyond ourselves. Humour and irreverence are important tools I use to unlock these complicated topics. Movement underpins my approach to all of this.
I am a conceptual and structural thinker skilled in storytelling, dramaturgy, and both movement of large-scale ensembles and of the micro. My work is creatively ambitious, visually beautiful, has faith in the abstract, and wants to leave audiences in altered states through the fusion of artforms. I believe strongly the audience is an integral part of the conversation in theatre. I like to create collaboratively, and I’m excited by the areas where disciplines overlap to unlock new ways we can share ideas. I am heavily inspired by graphic novels and illustration, and this is most present in the movement of my work.
Current Practice
My current practice sees me exploring how movement meets storytelling in a variety of contexts with those who are adept at moving and those to whom it comes to less naturally. I am also beginning to explore how my work sits in an international context. Combining my passion for developing and facilitating the work of others, I am also involved in projects which enhance the practices of other artists through regular, sustainable workshops in the hope of raising the aspiration of movement-using artists in Scotland. This stems from observing a rise in individualism damaging the connections between artists and seeking ways to disrupt this. You can find out how this feeds into my work by reading my current projects .
Background
I began my career working as part of the Mercury Theatre Company, a rep company in Colchester staging modern classics. It is this grounding that built the foundations of my values in outward looking, inclusive, community-engaged theatre while continually striving for excellence. I shadowed, assisted, and worked in many departments within the theatre: I believe it is very important to know the whole machine in order to understand how your cog best fits in. As well a numerous assistant director roles on main-stage productions at the Mercury, I undertook roles in stage management, community and education, ultimately directing and producing new work. During my studies at RCS I took this one step further with a placement at National Theatre Scotland shadowing Laurie Sansom, artistic director, and the senior management team for four months. My skill set is broad, and my understanding is interconnected.
Further Reading
You can read my interview with Creative Scotland here.
You can read my interview with YTAS here.
Keep up to date with my latest developments @nicholasbw.
If you would like to chat about a project I have worked on, or a project to be, I’m always open to conversations and coffees.
Header Photo Credits:
Main – Mihaela Bodlovic
About – Amy Kennedy
Workshops – Andy Catlin/YTAS
