Frantic Assembly has announced the return of its acclaimed talent development programme Ignition for 2025, alongside casting news for its 30th anniversary production, Lost Atoms.
Following a major fundraising campaign, the company has secured £129,000 to relaunch Ignition, a free nationwide programme for young people aged 16–24 from underrepresented and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Artistic Director Scott Graham said, “Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome. In a cultural climate marked by economic challenges and cuts to creative education, Ignition is more vital than ever. It offers a pathway into the arts for those who may not otherwise access it. We are thrilled to have secured funds for the programme to take place in 2025 and are grateful to all those who have donated. This is a great start, but we still have money to raise to make sure Ignition can continue in the future.’”
The company also revealed that Lost Atoms, a new play by Anna Jordan, will premiere at Curve Leicester on 22 September before embarking on a UK tour.
Starring in Lost Atoms are Joe Layton, known for his role in Coronation Street, and Hannah Sinclair Robinson, who recently appeared in Metamorphosis and The Play That Goes Wrong.
Lost Atoms explores the complexities of love and memory through the lens of a transformative relationship. The production is directed by Scott Graham and features design by Andrzej Goulding, lighting by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound by Carolyn Downing, costumes by Alice McNicholas, and music supervision by Julie Blake.
Joe Layton, an Ignition graduate, has previously worked with Frantic Assembly on Othello, Metamorphosis, and The Unreturning. His screen credits include Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Young Wallander, and Father Brown.
Hannah Sinclair Robinson is also a regular collaborator with the company, with stage credits including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Rockets and Blue Lights.
Ahead of the Lost Atoms tour, Frantic Assembly will reunite with Aurora Orchestra for a dramatised performance of Shostakovich 5 at the BBC Proms on 16 and 17 August at the Royal Albert Hall. The performance will be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer.
Max Revell, another Ignition graduate and winner of BBC Young Dancer of the Year 2019, will portray Shostakovich. Sean Hollands, also an Ignition alumnus, joins as Associate Co-Director.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
