GREEN CARNATION COMPANY, TELLING QUEER STORIES THROUGH QUALITY THEATRE.
We are a Manchester based theatre company dedicated to producing high-quality professional theatrical productions and digital work that explore queer experiences, ideas and stories. We work with existing scripts and new queer writers to create something a bit exciting. Green Carnation Company was set up by Dan Jarvis and Dan Ellis in 2018 following an Instagram post, some pints and an excitement to start creating theatre together.
RAISING A GLASS TO SAY FAREWELL TO GREEN CARNATION THEATRE
After much thought and many conversations, we’ve made the decision to close Green Carnation Theatre.
Since 2018 — when it all began with an Instagram post, pints, questionable fancy dress, and a shared desire to make theatre — it’s been a joy to build something that has told bold, thoughtful queer stories and connected us with so many brilliant artists and audiences.
We’re incredibly proud of everything we’ve created, from our debut production of The Pride and our tour of My Night with Reg to Vincent River, our Queer All About It monologue series, and the R&D of Clothes Swap. Supporting new writing and championing LGBTQ+ voices has always been at the heart of our work.
This feels like the right moment to step away. Changes in our personal lives and careers mean we can’t give the company the time and energy it deserves — and we’d rather close this chapter with care and pride than risk losing what made it special.
We’re especially excited that Clothes Swap will continue its journey in such a brilliant way. The show — a joyful, honest story about young LGBTQ+ people, identity, and community — is being taken forward into a full production by Waterside Arts Centre, and directed by Nathaniel Hall (Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, First Time, Toxic). Knowing the piece will continue to grow, reach new audiences, and have a life beyond us feels like the best possible way to look to the future.
A huge thank you to every artist, collaborator, partner, participant and audience member who has supported us along the way and taught us so much.
Manchester’s queer theatre scene is in incredible hands, with companies like Dibby Theatre, Hive North and Queer Dog continuing to tell vital, exciting stories, and venues such as Contact, The Lowry, HOME, Hope Mill Theatre, The Edge and 53Two continuing to champion LGBTQ+ voices. We look forward to cheering you on from the audience.
While Green Carnation Theatre is coming to a close, this isn’t the end of everything — watch this space for future dramaturgy and script development work from Dan Jarvis, continuing to support and champion new writing.
Green Carnation Theatre may be closing, but the future of queer theatre — and these stories — feels incredibly bright. And we need that in these times.
With love and gratitude, Dan & Dan 💚
OUR PROJECTS
Projects include the 2018 sell-out success of The Pride at Hope Mill Theatre; our participation in the new queer writing festival OutStageUs2019 with FLUID by Nick Maynard; our first mid-scale theatre tour of Kevin Elyot’s My Night with Reg (2020); our Queer All About It series of monologues exploring LGBTQ+ topics, culminating in a live screening event with Turn on Fest at Hope Mill Theatre; Vincent River by Philip Ridley at Hope Mill Theatre (2022)’, an R&D of new play Clothes Swap by Liam Mansfield (2024), and Queer Reflections – a short script competition in partnership with Pan MacMillan and Alan Hollinghurst.
Co-founders Dan Ellis and Dan Jarvis work together to co-direct and co-produce their productions, believing that collaboration leads to more ideas, more creativity and a creating a shared vision. It’s also less scary.
Dan Jarvis (he/him), Co-Artistic Director
Dan Jarvis has over 14 years experience directing, producing and devising theatre, with a particular focus on working with new writing, devising and cabaret performances. This has included commissioned site-specific performance, R&Ds for full length plays and in recent years has been developing his practice as a dramaturg and script reader.
Dan has had dramaturg training with Young Vic with Sasha Wares as part of RTYDS, working as a script reader for Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, receiving mentorship from Dr Frank Peschier (Literary Manager, Headlong).
Dan has also completed a Masters degree in Contemporary Literature and Culture at the University of Manchester, specialising in queer theatre and narratives.
Dan has worked in arts and culture marketing and audience development for 15 years (including Marketing & Comms Manager roles at The Lowry and Manchester Jewish Museum) and currently works relationship manager for Engagement & Communities at Arts Council England.
Dan Ellis (he/they), Co-Artistic Director
Dan Ellis graduated from Liverpool John Moores University in 2011 with a degree in Drama. Since then he has continued to perform in and direct productions across the North West and Wales alongside having worked as a Drama teacher with theatretrain.
Dan Ellis has previously produced and co-directed previous Green Carnation productions: Kevin Elyot’s ‘My Night with Reg’ 2020 tour, Alexi Kaye Campbell’s ‘The Pride’, and was lead director for ‘FLUID’ by Nick Maynard as part of OutStageUs 2019.
Theatre highlights as both actor and director include: ‘Fluid’ (The Lowry), ‘The Pride’ (Hope Mill Theatre), ‘Whipping It Up’ (Forum Studio Theatre), ‘The Laramie Project’ (Forum Studio Theatre), ‘The History Boys’ (Altrincham Garrick), ‘Aladdin’ (Forum Studio Theatre), ‘Oliver!’ (Theatre Clwyd), ‘Equus’ (Forum Studio Theatre).
Television highlights as an actor: ‘Coronation Street’ (ITV), ‘Hollyoaks’ (Lime Pictures), ‘Scott & Bailey’ (Red Productions), ‘The Worst Witch’ (CBBC Productions).
He is also an experienced and passionate pantomime performer with over 10 years experience, having most recently received rave reviews at Altrincham Garrick as Smee in their 2021 production of Peter Pan.
Green Carnation Company 