Quarantine
Quarantine is an ensemble of artists and producers who make work that engages with everyday life in direct and radical ways. Formed in 1998 by directors Richard Gregory and Renny O’Shea with designer Simon Banham, the company is widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading contemporary performance companies.
Quarantine makes theatre, performance and other public events with a shifting constellation of artistic collaborators. The company’s theatrical work has led the way in work made with untrained performers. Presented in original and often surprising ways, much of their work aims to create the circumstances for open conversation between strangers. As well as performances on stage for audiences in seats, Quarantine has hosted shared meals, invited audiences along to a family party, and given people the chance to connect with a serving soldier by singing a duet in a karaoke booth.
Quarantine’s roots are in Manchester, but they make and tours work around the world, to arts venues and festivals, cafés and train stations.
Quarantine is the lead partner for Meet the Neighbours and one of the project’s artists. As well as curating and producing Tenancy – the Meet the Neighbours project in Manchester and Salford – Quarantine travelled to Béthune, France as visiting artists. From 30 March – 14 April 2018, Quarantine worked with 50 local people to stage a production called ‘Summer.’, which explored the things in life you can’t rehearse for.
