The Large Group is a new, director-driven theatre company conceived by Michael Hurst and Christian Penny. Convening annually over a three-month period, The Large Group will eventually produce up to three different works in repertory or in concert during the course of the season.

In a move to provide more continuity for its actors and production workers, a single ensemble company will create and perform the works. This will allow new and established actors alike the opportunity to move from role to role, stretching and extending their skills over a number of performances, and will create stronger and more varied opportunities for designers and technicians.

There will be no room for complacency.

Contrasting works, trilogies, complementary works, works linked by theme, author or style--all can be programmed for maximum effect, creating dramatic opportunities in all areas of production and stretching boundaries.

The Large Group intends to bring to the stage works that can be best described as 'epic'--that is, works that are powerful and intense, beyond the usual or ordinary in size or scope, vivid, challenging, thought-provoking.

No other kind of theatre has quite the same potential to make us speculate about our common destiny.

These works can be anything from Shakespeare to Brecht, musicals, modern works or new works, the Greeks, pantomime--anything that fulfils the promise of 'epic theatre'.

Above all, The Large Group seeks to bring new audiences to theatre by presenting high-octane works of excellence that are uncompromising, visceral and humane.