By Tina Edward Gunawardhana

Photos by Steve Tanner

The Performing Arts pillar of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival is set to take a dynamic international turn with theatre workshops by the Emma Rice Company, supported by the British Council. Renowned for its fearless creativity, musicality and ensemble-led storytelling, the Emma Rice Company will offer Sri Lankan students and theatre-makers a rare opportunity to train with one of the UK’s most celebrated contemporary theatre companies.

Founded in 2018 by multi-award-winning director Emma Rice, the Emma Rice Company (formerly Wise Children) has quickly established itself as one of the most influential and well-loved theatre companies working in the UK today. Known for creating bold, imaginative and accessible theatre, the company tours extensively across the UK and internationally, producing work that is joyful, visually striking and emotionally resonant.

Emma Rice herself is among the most influential theatre directors of her generation. Her distinguished 30-year career includes serving as Artistic Director of the iconic Kneehigh Theatre and later Shakespeare’s Globe. In recognition of her contribution to British theatre, she received the UK Theatre Award for Contribution to British Theatre in 2019, was named one of Sky Arts’ 50 Most Influential British Artists of the Last 50 Years in 2022, and most recently won Best Direction at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards for The Buddha of Suburbia.

Since its inception, the Emma Rice Company has created nine critically acclaimed original productions, reaching nearly half a million audience members in 30 cities across four continents. The company frequently collaborates with leading cultural institutions, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and London’s Old Vic. Beyond the stage, it has also produced commissioned work for the BBC and Sky Arts, with digital projects reaching an estimated audience of over 300,000 worldwide.

The year 2025 marks the company’s most ambitious chapter yet. Its acclaimed stage adaptation of Wuthering Heights toured Asia and Australia, while a new production, North by Northwest, undertook a major UK tour simultaneously. These achievements earned the company a nomination for a UK Theatre Excellence in Touring Award, further cementing its international reputation.

At the heart of the Emma Rice Company’s philosophy is its highly regarded Training Programme, a progressive and energetic initiative designed to nurture the next generation of theatre-makers. Since 2018, the programme has supported over 5,000 emerging artists across disciplines, many of whom now work regularly with the company and within the wider international theatre sector. The training emphasises collaboration, ensemble work and joy, encouraging artists to explore multi-disciplinary techniques that combine acting, music, movement and play.

As part of the HSBC Ceylon Literary & Arts Festival, the company will conduct “Adapting and Devising (for stage/theatre)” workshops in two formats. The first, a two-day practical workshop, is aimed at students passionate about performing arts, particularly those with skills in acting, singing, dancing or music who enjoy working as part of an ensemble. The second is a week-long residency designed for Sri Lankan theatre-makers, offering an immersive experience in creating theatre magic through collaboration, music and movement.

Participants are invited to apply by submitting a 2–3 minute video showcasing their skills—be it acting, singing, dancing, playing instruments, puppetry, languages or any unique talent. Creativity, playfulness and boldness are strongly encouraged. Applications should be emailed to [email protected].

With the support of the British Council, the Emma Rice Company’s presence at the festival promises to be an inspiring cultural exchange—one that brings global theatre practice to Sri Lanka while empowering local performers to imagine, create and perform with renewed confidence and joy.