what we do

The director/designer duo Poppy Burton-Morgan & William Reynolds founded Metta Theatre in 2005. We’ve had the great privilege of working with some very lovely and very amazing venues/companies over the years, including the Soho Theatre, Bush Theatre, Southbank Centre, Oxford Playhouse, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, V&A Museum, Shunt, Greenwich Theatre, Jacksons Lane, Southwark Playhouse, Arcola Theatre and Linbury Theatre (Royal Opera House).

MISSION STATEMENT

We make imaginative, visual theatre combining words, music, projection, puppetry and circus to create meta-theatrical work – telling stories that include the audience in the act of telling. Vibrant, joyous and playful – Metta Theatre wears its theatricality on its sleeve.

We believe that everyone, regardless of their age or backrgound, should be able to access bold, innovative and intelligent theatre. We tell stories with imagination – for children, adults and everyone in between.

You can find our work in cafes, museums, playgrounds and (mostly) theatres in London and across the UK. There are many strands to our work – some is made to tell un-heard stories, some is made expressly for young audiences and everything is made with compassion.

meta-theatrical: theatre that’s aware of it’s own theatricality – replacing reality with imagination.

metta: a Buddhist word meaning compassion, loving kindness, the strong wish for the happiness of others.

WE BELIEVE IN…

The value of audience – we care about the people who see our work, so we work hard to reach them, make it affordable and listen to their feedback.

The value of artists – we pay reasonably & fairly (at at least Industry standard rates) and are open and transparent in our dealings with all of our collaborators.

Innovation – we push the boundaries either in form or presentation, process of working or content of show and in doing so entertain, inform and educate both audience and artists.

Compassion – our working practices, relationships and the work itself are permeated by compassion and openness.

Our world – we minimise negative environmental & social impact in every area of our work, and actively encourage the same approach among our collaborators. More info here.