What happens to a play when it moves between cultures and languages – and what does it mean for that translation to come to life in performance?
Led by Foreign Affairs co-artistic directors Camila França and Trine Garrett, joined by two associate actors, this hands-on session offers a window into the creative decisions that shape how a play finds its voice in a new context. With over fifteen years of experience sharing world theatre, nine UK/world premieres, and contributions to over 30 new English translations, Foreign Affairs brings rare insight into the art of translating for the stage.
Expect a short presentation on Foreign Affairs' approach to theatre translation, micro translation exercises, and a live reading by professional actors of work developed in the room – with time for open discussion throughout.
No experience of a specific language needed – the exercises are designed to be accessible whatever your linguistic background, making this a session for anyone curious about the space where translation meets performance.
Bridging the literary and the theatrical, this is an invitation to experience the journey from page to stage first-hand.
Winner of The Stage International Award 2026, Foreign Affairs is a theatre company with an adventurous spirit, led by Camila França and Trine Garrett. Based at the Rose Lipman Building in Hackney, they stage international plays in translation – work that resonates across languages, cultures, and communities. They can often be found in unexpected spaces – creating close-up encounters between global stories and local audiences.
Recent productions include Black Swans by Christina Kettering, translated by Pauline Wick; The Wetsuitman by Freek Mariën, translated by David McKay; and Where I Call Home by Marc-Antoine Cyr, translated by Charis Ainslie.
Foreign Affairs also run workshops and training programmes for emerging theatre-makers and translators, and local young people, including the Theatre Translator Mentorship (unique in the industry), Emerging Theatre-Makers activities, and workshops in secondary schools in collaboration with Performing International Plays — all grounded in the company's practice.
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