The Foundry was a production company established in 1996 by Robert Delamere, Tara Hull, Michael Sheen and Helen McCrory to produce at the cutting edge of independent drama through imaginative project initiation in the following mediums: animation, film, radio, television and theatre.
Its principal objectives are to present the most important contemporary work that is around, seeking out new audiences wherever and whenever possible and to nurture, develop and produce the work of contemporary playwrights and creative artists to the highest possible standards.
Michael Wynne's 'The Knocky' was The Foundry's inaugural theatre production and was paired with Crispin Whittell's 'Happy Valley' for a short season at The Liverpool Everyman entitled The Liverpool Project.
The Foundry also worked as a co-producer on Offshore International Cultural Projects/The National Theatre of Craiova, Romania's Production of Robert Coover's cult American novel 'Pinocchio in Venice' which toured the UK after opening at The Cambridge Arts Theatre in 1997.
The following year The Foundry produced both the World Premiere of Phyllis Nagy's 'Neverland' in a co-production with the Royal Court, which opened at The Ambassadors Theatre, London and the British premiere of Gary Mitchell’s ‘In A Little World of Our Own’ at the Donmar Warehouse, London.
Directors: Tara Hull, Robert Delamere, Helen McCrory, Michael Sheen.
Liverpool Project Producers - Tara Hull and Robert Delamere.
Assistant Producer - Yvonne Mackenzie.
Advisory Council - Thelma Holt CBE, Mel Kenyon, Peter Gill, Neil Wallace, Roy Battersby, Barbara Matthews MBE, Jonathan Kent and Maria Delgado.
The collaboration with The Everyman was part of The Foundry's determination to fight for excellence and innovation and to create new partnerships in the live and recorded arts.