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"passion, playfulness, tenderness and brutality all flicker between them like lightning sparks... Southern Magpie are clearly one to watch."
Islington Tribune
Theatre is a space for people to come together to feel.
A space we can hold contradictions.
A space to find out who we are, where we've come from, and who we might become.
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Our stories are delicate, visceral, and constantly curious about what it means to care about people, what it means to have lived, and what it means feel alive.
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We make work in theatre and film, telling stories from around the world that examines the extraordinariness of our ordinary lives.
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Southern Magpie is the film and theatre company of writer and director Max Kirk.​
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Artistic Director - Max Kirk
Max is a theatre and film director and writer with tri-nationality (New Zealand, Ireland, United Kingdom). He graduated LAMDA's MA Directing programme in 2017 and has assisted directors including Rebecca Frecknall and Ria Parry, and observed Mike Longhurst and Te Rakau theatre company in Wellington, NZ.
A BIT ABOUT US
Kia Ora!
Southern Magpie was founded as Southern Magpie Theatre in 2017 with the aim of discovering bold and moving stories from across the world, with a particular focus on Aotearoa, New Zealand, and staging them for audiences around the UK. Our debut production of Skin Tight by Gary Henderson played at the Hope Theatre, Islington and recieved numerous 5 star reviews and an Off West End Award Nomination for Best Director. Its revival post pandemic, garnered further acclaim and on Offie Finalist Award for Best Movement.
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Out first short film, Our Old Den, premiered at Fastnet Film Festival, Ireland and won Best Cinematography and Runner Up Best International Film at SENE Film Festival, USA and Semi-Finalist at Academy Award Qualifying, Flickerfest Rhode Island INternational Film Festival.
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We are currently developing both a play and short film that explores the creative opportunities that access and integration allows in both theatre and film so we can new audeinces and push the language of our storytelling further.
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Please get in touch via email.
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SKIN TIGHT
by Gary Henderson.
The Hope Theatre 2017
Directed by Max Kirk
Designed by Rachael Twyford
Lighting Design by Oliver Bush
Costume Design by Kilah Williams
Produced by Cindy McClean-Bibby for Southern Magpie Theatre
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CAST
Tom - Philippe Edwards
Elizabeth - Louise Hoare
Off West End Award Nomination 2017 - Best Director
CRITICS CHOICE BEST SHOW 2017 - London Pub Theatres
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"A polished piece of work from an exciting new company. Southern Magpie are clearly one to watch."
***** thespyinthestalls
"Moving, provocative, and truly original as a piece of art, this hidden gem is definitely worth seeing."
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"fervently brought to life... we should highly anticipate what is next to come from Southern Magpie Theatre"
***** londonpubtheatres
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"solid writing and superb acting really draws the audience in and holds them spellbound"
***** londontheatre1
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****1/2 Breakingthefourthwall
NEWS & UPDATES
Our Old Den is an Official Selection for Lighthouse International Film Festival 2021
Skin Tight by Gary Henderson at The Hope Theatre - brilliantly directed and performed two-hander that is seared into my memory for its beauty, energy and poignancy.
A couple’s life in 1950s rural New Zealand, Cindy Marcolina catches director Max Kirk just before the press night for Skin Tight
Lauren Gage chats to fast rising director of SKIN TIGHT, Max Kirk, bringing award-winning New Zealand plays to the UK
CONTACT US
To find out more about our company, touring or to support us please get intouch via email or just fill in the form below.