The Complete Commedia Company is a new Thurrock based theatre company representing a rebranding of T3G and the Wrinkly, who work with associate company Rendered Retina.

Led by Bernadette Wakeling, T3G and the Wrinkly offered lectures, seminars, lessons and courses serving to introduce novices to the art of slapstick and 16th Century Italian theatre. Each year, four new commedia troupes of 17 to 19 year olds were trained to performance standard in schools and colleges within Thurrock. This has included performances at Village Beach, Grays and Village Green, Chalkwell.

Rendered Retina Theatre Company grew out of the Commedia tradition. Three students that trained locally subsequently refined their art at Winchester University. Alex Mangan, Jordan Choi and Tom Mangan have since created a company, developed an identity and devised a body of work which has a distinct contemporary style. Rendered Retina also adapts Shakespeare for schools and festivals including the Edinburgh fringe.

They came together in Thurrock to take theatre to new audiences. They are bringing performances and workshops of Shakespeare and Commedia dell’Arte into the primary and secondary schools of Thurrock and the Thames Gateway.

With specially devised work, they are making the strange, familiar and inspiring. Their performances will be seen at community events, established fairs and new arts trails. They aim to create new performance opportunities and establish new audiences for their work, encouraging them to engage with them in the performing arts.

Website: www.thecompletecommediacompany.co.uk
facebook/twitter: @commediaco