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Talking About The Fire

Following the 2023 premiere at the Royal Court Theatre and performances in Norway, as part of the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize celebrations, Chris Thorpe is going out on tour in the UK and internationally with Talking About The Fire. It’s a show and a conversation about a new nuclear weapons treaty; created with Claire O’Reilly.

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A man sitting at a coffee table, holding a mug, with a yellow teapot on the table with smoke escaping.

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The Optimists Summer 2025

Are you an aspiring producer, emerging artist or creative practitioner hoping to develop your professional producing skills in the subsidised arts sector? Applications are now open for our producer training course The Optimists.

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Amplifying Young Voices for Global Change

Interested in engaging in conversations about nuclear disarmament & youth activism? Join Chris Thorpe & Zainab Rauf-Tramboo for a free online workshop to explore how your voice can contribute to global change.

Sign Up

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Future Producers

Are you interested in finding out more about being a producer of musical theatre in the Midlands and how to get involved locally with new musicals/music theatre? Join China Plate, Musical Theatre Network, Stage One and Birmingham Hippodrome on Tuesday 29th April for a free networking event - we'll be sharing industry insights and opportunities.

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A side profile of a person singing with a microphone to their mouth. The bright light behind them has created a silhouette of them and the audience.

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PhD Research Project

Freelance Director, Facilitator and co-founder of Feat.Theatre, Josie Lena Davies has begun their AHRC-funded Midlands4Cities Collaborative Doctoral Award: a PhD research project embedded in China Plate’s practice. Take a read of their blog, where they share their thoughts, research proposal and how you can get involved.

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A group of young people stand either side of a stacked tower of cardboard boxes which say 'EACH VOICE MATTERS' on the front.

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Humans Not Heroes

Seven cohorts of healthcare workers have each co-created an audio artwork based on their real-life experiences of working throughout the pandemic. The pieces featured in the UNMASKED exhibition at the RCN Libraries in London & Edinburgh. Experience them online via our website or find out more about our mobile listening station.

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A woman wearing a disposable mask, sitting on a bus alone.

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Longing to Belong

Commissioned by BBC Arts, Longing to Belong is a new short musical film about a Jamaican girl’s desire to fit in in 1960s Bristol, inspired by China Plate and Birmingham Hippodrome’s brand-new stage musical To The Streets! A show that tells the inspiring story of the Bristol Bus Boycott.

Watch Now
A woman standing on a bus holding her right hand in the air whilst singing.

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Soho Settlers

Discover the history of Handsworth with a brand-new heritage walk by Black Heritage Walks Network and digitally pinned audio pieces on the Overhear App. Presented by Birmingham 2022 Festival, a China Plate and Birmingham Hippodrome project. A Creative City Project generously supported by Birmingham City Council.

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On Our Way

Artist Nilupa Yasmin, alongside residents from North Birmingham, have collaborated to make over 8 bus stops into stained glass galleries along the iconic 74 route on the Soho Road in Birmingham. Each one tells the stories of the communities that make up the area. Presented as part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival.

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Photograph of a bus stop outside a temple, decorated with stain glass style patterns.

What's on

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Photograph of a bus stop outside a temple, decorated with stain glass style patterns.

On Our Way

We're On Our Way to convert bus stops along the iconic 74 route on the Soho Road into art galleries.

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A close up of a phone screen in a person's hand.

Soho Settlers

Take in new places and hear new voices with a co-created digital walk of Handsworth.

Read more
A woman standing on a bus holding her right hand in the air whilst singing.

Longing to Belong

A moving short musical film about a Jamaican girl’s desire to fit in in 1960s Bristol.

Read more
A woman wearing a disposable mask, sitting on a bus alone.

Humans Not Heroes

A co-created series of audio pieces made with artists and healthcare workers exploring their experiences of the Covid pandemic.

Read more
A photograph of a young person drawing on a patterned piece of paper.

Washwood Heath Art Project

A 3-year arts programme designed in collaboration with communities in Washwood Heath in Birmingham.

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A man sitting at a coffee table, holding a mug, with a yellow teapot on the table with smoke escaping.

Talking About The Fire

Nuclear weapons could destroy us all, right now - so why aren't we talking about them?

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A close up of a woman biting her tongue in between her teeth.

TRASH

Trash is a dark musical comedy taking the form of a crime caper. What happens when appearances and friendships become a commodity?

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A woman holding her hands up with a joyful expression.

To The Streets!

Uplifting new musical inspired by the Bristol Bus Boycott.

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Three photos of a young male overlapping one another upon a background image of the front of a building. The main photo of the young man is a headshot with him looking directly at the camera. The photo behind shows the man looking down at a phone in his hand. The photo in the foreground shows the man with his eyes closed and hands in his trouser pockets looking up slightly.

Please Do Not Touch

How do you keep speaking up when everything’s designed to silence you?

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Latest News

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A Fond Farewell

24th April 2025

We say a fond farewell to Andrea, our brilliant Engagement & Participation producer, who has been instrumental in the story…

We say a fond farewell to Andrea, our brilliant Engagement & Participation producer, who has been instrumental in the story of China Plate over the years.

Written by Andrea
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The Optimists 2025 FAQ’s

22nd April 2025

Applications for The Optimists Summer 2025 course are now open! This blog provides some key links and places to find…

Written by Kristina
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Introducing our Placement

1st April 2025

We are delighted to welcome Aimee to the team, as part of a placement from the University of Warwick.

Written by Kristina
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Opportunities

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The Optimists Summer Course 2025

Are you an aspiring producer, emerging artist or creative practitioner? Check out The Optimists...

Find out more

2 of 3

Amplifying Young Voices for Global Change

Join Chris Thorpe & Zainab Rauf-Tramboo for an online workshop about nuclear weapons & disarmament...

Find out more

3 of 3

Future Producers

Networking opportunity for future producers of musical theatre in the Midlands...

Find out more
The Optimists LogoA photograph of a person stood in front of a large projection screen, with their hands raised, delivering a workshop to a group people sat with their backs to the camera.A side profile of a person singing with a microphone to their mouth. The bright light behind them has created a silhouette of them and the audience.

Support us

Help China Plate support artists, freelancers and audiences

As a charity China Plate Theatre relies on donations to create adventurous and imaginative new theatre with popular appeal and a social purpose.

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Make a Donation

Find out how your support can help artists, freelancers and audiences to create, make and access great theatre.

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