The Joint Stock Theatre Company was founded in London in 1974 by David Hare, Max Stafford-Clark Paul Kember and David Aukin. The director William Gaskill was also part of the company. It was primarily a company which presented new plays.
Joint Stock created a style of working with writers using company research to inspire workshops. From these workshops writers such as David Hare, Howard Brenton and Caryl Churchill would gather material to inspire a writing phase before rehearsals began. This methodology is sometimes referred to as The Joint Stock Method. Significant productions include Hare's Fanshen, Brenton's Epsom Downs, Stephen Lowe's Ragged Trousered Philanthropists and Churchill's Cloud Nine.
The company ceased to be active in 1989. In 1993 Max Stafford-Clark founded the touring company Out of Joint which shares some working practices with Joint Stock.
Productions +ProductionWriterVenueYearThe Speakersadapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker'Birmingham Repertory Studio and tour1974Shivversby Stanley EvelingTraverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs1974Xby Barry ReckordTheatre Upstairs and Royal Court1974Fourth Day Like Four Long Months of Absenceby Colin BennettTraverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs1974Doomduckers Balla company adaptation based on an idea by Neil JohnstonOval House and Theatre Upstairs1975Fanshenby David Hare, adapted from William Hinton Crucible Studio Theatre and Sheffield1975Yesterday’s NewsCompany devisedWest End Centre and Theatre Upstairs1976Light Shining in BuckinghamshireCaryl ChurchillTraverse Theatre and Theatre Upstairs1976The Speakers (revival)adapted by the company from Heathcote Williams 'the speaker'International tour1976Devil’s IslandTony Bicât Sherman Theatre and Royal Court1977A Thought in Three PartsWallace ShawnICA1977A Mad World, My Masters Barrie Keeffe Young Vic and Roundhouse1977Epsom DownsHoward Brenton Roundhouse1977The Glad HandSnoo Wilson Royal Court Theatre1978The Ragged Trousered PhilanthropistsStephen Lowe, based on the book by Robert TressellPlymouth Arts Centre and Riverside Studios1978Cloud NineCaryl Churchill Dartington College of the Arts1979The HouseDavid Halliwell Dartington Hall1979An Optimistic ThrustCompany devisedNuffield Studio Theatre1980Cloud Nine (revival) Caryl ChurchillRoyal Court1980Say Your PrayersNick Darke College of St. Mark and St. John1981Borderline Hanif KureishiJackson’s Lane Community Centre and Royal Court Theatre1981FenCaryl ChurchillAlmeida Theatre, London1983Victory: Choices in ReactionHoward BakerRoyal Court Theatre1983The Crimes of VautrinNicholas WrightAlmeida Theatre, London1983The Great Celestial CowSue TownsendLeister Haymarket1984The Power of the DogHoward BakerDrill Hall1985DeadlinesStephen WakelamRoyal Court & Crucible Theatre, Sheffield1985Amid the Standing CornJane ThorntonSoho Poly Theatre, London1985Fire in the LakeKarim AlrawiLiverpool Playhouse & Theatre Workshop, Edinburgh1985SanctuaryRalph BrownDrill Hall & Salisbury Playhouse1987Child in the HeartKarim AlrawiDrill Hall, London1988
References
Ritchie, R. (ed.) (1987), The Joint Stock Book: Making of a Theatre Collective, London: Methuen, Stafford-Clark, M., and P. Roberts (2007), Taking Stock: The Theatre of Max Stafford-Clark, London: Nick Hern Books, Baz Kershaw, "Building an unstable pyramid - the fragmentation of British alternative theatre", in New Theatre Quarterly, Volume XI, no. 36, November 1993; pp. 348-356.
External reference
The Joint Stock Theatre Company on The Literary Encyclopedia Joint Stock Theatre Group Archives at Special Collections Dept., University Library, University of California, Davis