Interview: Lindy O’Hare of Thorington Theatre
Hidden in the woods of Suffolk is the ‘Brigadoon of entertainment’ - Thorington Theatre. We were delighted to speak to its founder, Lindy O’Hare, about the journey to its creation and her plans for the future.
South African-born Lindy O’Hare studied English at the University of Natal and Contemporary Art at Goldsmiths College. She began her career as an interior designer before moving into finance where she worked for many years with her husband, Mark.
The couple have four children and moved to Suffolk in 2007, where today they live in a Grade-II listed farmhouse and run an organic nut farm near Southwold.
She says: “Suffolk is our favourite place - it’s the best county.”
It was here, on their farm, that the seeds of an idea grew into the now popular Thorington Theatre - an outdoor venue, both located in and made of their wood, which opens each summer to offer a wide range of performances covering genres from Shakespeare to stand-up comedy.
Lindy O’Hare enjoying a day of fishing - her other love - with her dog.
So, Lindy, what gave you the idea to build a theatre in the woods?
Well, the previous owner of the farm, Lucy Wyatt, had the initial idea. There was this amphitheatre shaped bowl in the side of a small hill, which legend says was a bomb crater - possibly created because Thorrington Hall was requisitioned by the army during the Second World War.
Then it was suggested by a number of people over the years, and when we took over, one of the chaps living on the farm, Silas Rayner, also said: “Oh, that could be a theatre.” Silas worked in building and did odd jobs around the farm as a contractor, and his wife sketched out the basic design on a piece of paper. When we tell people there were no official plans, there weren't, there was just this one sketch!
Six months later, after living here and walking past it, I thought, what a good idea. And I mentioned it to my husband, who suggested we coppice the timber from the farm and build it from that. Coppicing means it's sustainable - the trees regrow and, in fact, they're now 30 to 40 foot high.
That was 2019.
Then COVID struck, and we were ready to build. It was all measured out by Silas and his father, and they put it together with two other carpenters. Social restrictions were in place but it was Ok because they were working outside and two metres apart, and they all had their own tools.
Of course, running any operation, it's basically about organisation and getting the right person to do a job. Even in the beginning, setting up the website, it was my daughter and daughter-in-law who helped with that - their generation being far more technologically minded than I am.
So it was a family affair from the start.
It took 18 months to build and cost around £70,000.
Did it seem a bit risky, starting a theatre business - and during the pandemic at that?
Yes, we thought it was a folly. But profit was not the driving force - as long as it was not a drain on the farm, we were happy.
But I should say that we came to it completely blind. Fortunately, we were introduced virtually, during lockdown, to Charles Sinclair from the Minack Theatre, which is the premier outdoor theatre in the country. And we had a two-hour long conversation about the contracts, how to work it, what to do. He put me in touch with his artistic director, and she recommended shows and companies.
I mean, he taught me anything and everything I needed to know about running a theatre, and I still do everything he says.
One rule I did break - he said don't have the same company two years running, only every second year. And I have broken that twice. And twice, it's been the wrong decision.
So, tell us about opening.
Our first season was in 2021 and the first show was A Midsummer Night's Dream.
It was performed by children from a local theatre group in Halesworth - and it was just marvellous. I always say that Shakespeare wrote Midsummer Night's Dream with this venue in mind, he was just 400 years ahead of his time.
And there were still social distancing restrictions at that point, but people felt safe being outside rather than going to an indoor theatre.
In the beginning, I really thought it was just going to be used by schools and local amateur dramatic companies. Then when COVID opened up, and there was an article in the East Anglian Daily Times about the building of the theatre, we were inundated with requests.
I didn't know there was a whole world of touring theatre companies out there, and they would want to come and perform. And so we said yes to most of them, not knowing any different. And it was great.
So that is how it started. And we learned as we went along.
Now we run from the second bank holiday weekend in May and finish at the end of August, and we have between 40 or 60 shows each season.
How did you choose the shows each year?
The two things I always look for each season are great music – classical, contemporary, opera - and good shows for children, but they are somehow a little trickier to find.
We're very eclectic and we cover a broad range.
Tell us a bit about the charitable work at Thorington Theatre.
Now schools and charities are aware of it, more have used it. Charities such as Project 21, which supports people with Down Syndrome, South Street Kids and the local Bramfield House special education school.
And I love to see children coming into the space and using it. They always respond in a positive way. There's no threat. There's no intimidation.
One year, The South Street Kids from Ipswich had written a little song, which they performed. And one little lad, he was standing right on the edge of the stage, with one foot on the stage and the other tipping over. Then he just joined in.
Some children get so involved with the story, they start responding and they want to get up on the stage.
And it’s great to see that kind of confidence being woken up in these little people – to see them think: OK, I can do this.
It's a very special, non-threatening space.
What's the best thing about running the theatre?
It's just the engagement and variety of people, all coming there and having fun, all enjoying themselves. There's such a great feeling of bonhomie and it's always different. There’s new companies every week, so you're always meeting and talking to different people, and you're always learning something new from them or their production or how they use the space.
There’s never a dull moment, you know, even if it's the artists arriving five minutes before the show is meant to start because they got stuck in the lovely A12 traffic!
So, you're obviously still quite ‘hands-on’?
Yes, 100 percent.
But our team is so great that they can do it on their own if I need to be elsewhere.
What are the challenges - apart from Suffolk traffic?
People always ask about the weather.
Well, we’re British so we are used to it, and this southeast corner of Suffolk is the driest in the country. Every time we are predicted rain, we don't get it. And touch wood, we've cancelled no shows this season.
Is there a lot of maintenance involved?
Yes, we do that in the down season.
Everything gets taken down - the stumps, the chairs, the fridges, the lighting – and it’s cleaned and put away.
My job in the winter - and I love it - is to go up there and sweep all the leaves off the seating and the stage, because if you leave wet leaves it's not great for the wood. And then at the start of each season, all the lighting and wiring is checked, and everything is cleaned again. We also have a specialist on the farm to ensure the surrounding trees are looked after.
Are there plans for the venue to evolve further?
I don't think so.
We didn't have tech the first year, just a few little footlights put at the front of the stage, and I actually loved it when it was like that. But each year we have added more. Now we have lights, speakers and sound.
But I don't want to make it any bigger - I just want to do what I do here, and do it really well.
So, what’s next?
Well, I need to wait for this season to be finished and then I can focus on next year. We already have a few shows lined up: Marriage of Figaro, The Animal Guyz and Around the World in 80 Days which is a family show. So, it's starting to come together. By February, everything's set in stone and we print the summer brochure.
Finally, what show would you like to see at Thorington Theatre?
One day, Ed Sheeran will come. That's the dream.
Our thanks to Lindy O’Hare for talking to Suffolk on Stage.
And we are happy to say that there’s still time to see a show at Thorington Theatre this year. Coming this week:
Honey and The Bear on Friday, August 29.
The British folk and roots duo combine delicately interweaving vocal harmonies with emotive and evocative songwriting.
Details HERE.
Macbeth on Saturday, August 30.
The Duke’s Theatre Company's production of Macbeth offers a dynamic reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.
Details HERE.
Faustus on Sunday, August 31.
An interactive fire circus with audience participation, an array of magical comedy and flaming sword fights, the show is a thrilling combination of fire poi, acrobatics and pantomime packed full of swords, spells and silliness.
Details HERE.
And check back early next year for details of the new season…