Announcing Our Charitable Status & New Board of Trustees!

Insane Root Theatre has successfully been granted charitable status alongside the appointment of a new board of trustees.

The award winning Bristol-based organisation has taken the step to become a charity as part of its future plan during the current uncertain times when live performance has not been possible due to Covid-19.

Founded in 2015, Insane Root Theatre specialises in reimagining classic plays, bringing them to life in unusual and unexpected locations.

Past productions have included Romeo and Juliet in Eastville Park's Old Victorian Lido, Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice, set deep within the Suspension Bridge Vaults and Macbeth in central Bristol’s historic Redcliffe Caves.

The new board of trustees is led by chair Vanessa Moon, who runs Moon Executive Search. Vanessa has worked with Insane Root founders Hannah Drake and Justin Palmer to appoint the trustees and complete the application to become a CIO to the Charity Commission.

She is joined by fellow newly appointed trustees Victoria FitzGerald, founder of financial consultancy Briarsmead which specialises in the education and charity sector; Joanna Randall, founder of communications and PR consultancy Purplefish; Dugald McNaughton head of fundraising and communications at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust; and Patsy Connor, director of creative services for SS Great Britain Trust.

Commenting on the new organisation Insane Root co-founder Hannah Drake said:

“We’re so proud to have completed this momentous change for the organisation. Since our formation five years ago we have delivered a range of memorable, atmospheric and unique performances. Our focus has always been on supporting young creatives, demystifying old plays, nurturing local artists and celebrating the unknown spaces of Bristol. Our charitable status will allow us to continue this valuable work to benefit the community, our supporters and many talented artists with whom we collaborate.

While we can’t organise any performances this year we are working hard on some great ideas and concepts which we hope to deliver in our much-loved city of Bristol. Audiences are missing the thrill and spectacle connection which live performance brings and we’re dedicated to our future growth as an organisation.”

Co-founder Justin Palmer said:

“2020 has been a challenging year for many organisations in our sector and so we’re really proud to have been able to become a charitable organisation. This new status will allow us to access a range of different support options alongside providing benefits to our community and the actors and production team we work with.”

Vanessa Moon, chair of trustees said:

“After six months of hard work and a rigorous recruitment process I am immensely proud of the new board we have formed. We have some highly experienced people in the team to support and guide Hannah, Justin and the Insane Root team in continuing to delight audiences with their creative and accessible productions.

“We’re now focused on our plan for 2021 and we look forward to revealing an exceptional programme of performance next year which attracts a diverse audience and ensures the success of theatre productions long

into the future following such a challenging time for the industry. Watch this space!”

Ends