Backstage Forward started as an assignment in The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama MA/MFA Creative Producing's first unit - Creative Entrepreneur. The three of us, all from different parts of the world, came together to make Backstage Forward a viable business plan as part of our coursework. We then embarked on an extraordinary journey to bring the hard work and artistic endeavours of backstage running crew and designers forward to you through your participation in the direct action of backstage drama.

Backstage Forward aims to inspire audiences to build their knowledge and skills in the elements of practice and design with an immersive backstage experience that explores the depth of working behind the scenes. Through our programmes, you can experience the thrill of getting a performance ready to go. Be it a play, musical or site-specific performance, Backstage Forward wants you to be part of the backstage magic that makes shows tick.

Macchinista Esperienza at Venice Preserv'd Every Saturday through 7th June. The programme will begin at 5.15pm at Paynes & Borthwick, and will last 90 min. Thomas Otway’s Venice Preserv’d is a 17th Century Restoration tragedy, and does not disappoint as a tale of corruption, friendship and love. The company is led by the classical stars of tomorrow including Jessie Buckley, Ferdinand Kingsley and Ashley Zhangazha, and The Spectators’ Guild stages this rarely performed masterpiece under the Italianate arches of Paynes and Borthwick. Classic stagecraft meets site responsive event theatre to transform the heart of old maritime Greenwich into “The Most Serene Republic of Venice,” and the audience are invited into a fully realized immersive world to join in the carnival. What better atmosphere to discover the backstage drama and design elements? Backstage Forward invites you to participate in our inaugural programme, Macchinista Esperienza! Learn what it takes to create Venice on the bank of the Thames featuring four separate and unique theatrical spaces. Follow our stage managers as they prepare the magic, and test your own skills and knowledge as well…even the experienced stage manager can learn from this unique process!