Who are Above Bounds?
Above Bounds are a collective of artists based in Plymouth, Devon, led by Producer Helen Bovey, dedicated to creating high-quality professional theatre and theatrical experiences for children and young people. Above Bounds believe that theatre is for everyone and seek to break down the barriers which can limit access to the arts including cost, location and language. They make professional theatre for a variety of ages, taking it to both theatrical spaces such as theatres and arts centres, and non-theatrical spaces including community centres, libraries, art galleries, museums and more!
We tour our work across the UK, and also run the Above & Beyond Children's Theatre Festival- taking place across 3 days, in 3 different library spaces in Plymouth.
Come and join our community, ask us a question, see our work, or just browse. You can contact us on abovebounds@gmail.com if you'd like to hear more.
"An exciting emerging company with a great creative approach."
Our manifesto:
To create work with an interesting story at the heart, a story that can educate, entertain and inspire.
To create work for children and young people, with children and young people.
To create theatre for children that is as innovative as it's adult counterparts, using a mixture of mediums, puppetry, music and comedy.
To make work for everyone and to generate collaborations between artists and art forms.
To break down the barriers which restrict access to theatre including cost, location and language.
To nurture and develop artists in Plymouth, developing emerging artists to create work for families.
Meet some of our artists
Led by Helen Bovey, we operate on a project-by-project basis, working with a pool of talented artists from across Plymouth and Devon. Here's some of the familiar faces:
Helen Bovey
Artistic Director
Founder
Helen Bovey is a Theatre-Maker and Producer who graduated from East 15 Acting School before relocating back to Devon to create her own work. As well as running Above Bounds, she works as a producer for Beyond Face CIC, Exeter Northcott and Theatre Royal Plymouth and has worked as a Practitioner for Barbican Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Victoria Horan
Performer
Movement Director
Vicki has been a regular with Above Bounds, working as Movement Director for The Elves & The Shoemaker in 2018 and then performing in the 2019 tour. You’ll also have seen her in A-Tissue! A-Tissue! during the 2019 performances and in Two Little Kittens, which she created alongside Kane John Mills and Helen Bovey in 2019.
Chloe Benbow
Set Designer
Maker
If you have seen an Above Bounds show, you’ve probably seen one of Chloe’s set designs. Chloe has been working with Above Bounds since 2018, she has designed the sets for The Elves & The Shoemaker and A-Tissue! A-Tissue! and is currently working on a new set for Two Little Kittens. Chloe also created the Fishko Disco and has worked with Above Bounds to perform this across the UK over the last 2 years.
George Boundy
Co-Founder
George Boundy trained at East 15 Acting School, graduating in 2013, before completing a Masters degree in Playwriting Studies at The University of Birmingham. George worked with Above Bounds until 2019 and now lives in Sufolk and works for the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft and as a freelance practitioner for New Wolsey Theatre and Kayden Theatre School.