Rob Salmon
@crateoflearning.bsky.social
Theatre Director | Benefit Class | Queer | A.S.D CURRENT: Head of Creative Engagement Stephen Joseph Theatre & Director City Varieties Music Hall PREVIOUS: Associate Director New Wolsey, Festival Director Pulse Fringe, Artistic Director People You May Know
Pinned
Rob Salmon
@crateoflearning.bsky.social
· Nov 17
Here’s a collection of some of the various venues, institutions and companies I’ve been hanging around over the last three decades.
Back for my sixth stint as Director at the magical City Varieties Music Hall for Aladdin - the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto!
November 1, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Back for my sixth stint as Director at the magical City Varieties Music Hall for Aladdin - the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto!
A rare treat to be back where it all began for the SJT in Scarborough Library to celebrate the work of Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Directing a reading of ‘Confusions’ with fab team of Ayckbourn regulars, including Chris Godwin from the original cast… with the original script!
September 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM
A rare treat to be back where it all began for the SJT in Scarborough Library to celebrate the work of Sir Alan Ayckbourn. Directing a reading of ‘Confusions’ with fab team of Ayckbourn regulars, including Chris Godwin from the original cast… with the original script!
Ed Fringe continues to showcase some of the world’s finest creativity. The theatre offer may be struggling to meet the financial demands of the fringe, but there’s still excitement on offer in various darkened rooms across the city. Also pleased to say that top knots have been replaced… by mullets!
August 24, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Ed Fringe continues to showcase some of the world’s finest creativity. The theatre offer may be struggling to meet the financial demands of the fringe, but there’s still excitement on offer in various darkened rooms across the city. Also pleased to say that top knots have been replaced… by mullets!
I was invited to see War Horse tonight, which I’ve managed to miss in its 18 years, and whilst it feels somewhat diminished from its original outing it still contains multiple moments of absolute theatrical joy. The core story of the boy and the horse is an exemplary piece of pure storytelling.
August 20, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I was invited to see War Horse tonight, which I’ve managed to miss in its 18 years, and whilst it feels somewhat diminished from its original outing it still contains multiple moments of absolute theatrical joy. The core story of the boy and the horse is an exemplary piece of pure storytelling.
CAREER PATH. In 2010 we launched what went onto become the multi-award recognised ‘People You May Know’ dedicated to making original work with prevocational theatre makers about their perspective on the world. It started with ‘Party Piece’, then 6 more incredible stories followed. A privilege.
August 16, 2025 at 11:10 AM
CAREER PATH. In 2010 we launched what went onto become the multi-award recognised ‘People You May Know’ dedicated to making original work with prevocational theatre makers about their perspective on the world. It started with ‘Party Piece’, then 6 more incredible stories followed. A privilege.
Edinburgh and out… 2.5 days to see 18 performances via 7.5 hours on trains 5.5 hours of delayed trains and over 35,000 steps. My own bed is calling!
August 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Edinburgh and out… 2.5 days to see 18 performances via 7.5 hours on trains 5.5 hours of delayed trains and over 35,000 steps. My own bed is calling!
I've been musing on some of the work I've seen over the last however long that I've enjoyed the most, or found the most stimulating - as a venue programmer you get to see a lot of work and you have to learn to find value in things that don't necessarily match your own taste, but amongst...
August 8, 2025 at 11:44 PM
I've been musing on some of the work I've seen over the last however long that I've enjoyed the most, or found the most stimulating - as a venue programmer you get to see a lot of work and you have to learn to find value in things that don't necessarily match your own taste, but amongst...
CAREER PATH. Pulse Fringe Festival connected a wide variety of theatre makers with Ipswich audiences. Dedicated to new work and new ideas, it punched way above its weight in the sector - working alongside Ed & Paul from China Plate and leading Pulse Presents at the NW Studio was a career highlight.
August 8, 2025 at 5:08 PM
CAREER PATH. Pulse Fringe Festival connected a wide variety of theatre makers with Ipswich audiences. Dedicated to new work and new ideas, it punched way above its weight in the sector - working alongside Ed & Paul from China Plate and leading Pulse Presents at the NW Studio was a career highlight.
Evening on the sea front with the son. Big ticket win followed by the lengthy process of claiming them back. How it started v How it ended!
August 5, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Evening on the sea front with the son. Big ticket win followed by the lengthy process of claiming them back. How it started v How it ended!
'FERAL' won both the award for Best Theatre at Scarborough Fringe, and the inaugural Chris Mellor Award for New Writing in Theatre. Many congrats to all of the other worthy winners and nominees. Nice way to spend a Thursday evening!
August 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
'FERAL' won both the award for Best Theatre at Scarborough Fringe, and the inaugural Chris Mellor Award for New Writing in Theatre. Many congrats to all of the other worthy winners and nominees. Nice way to spend a Thursday evening!
I’ll be Edinburgh bound for a short trip to check out some potential programming for the SJT. I’ve managed to squeeze 19 shows into my 2.5 days, so there’s little room for much else. I used to do this and drink a pint between each show, I couldn’t manage a bottle of water these days! Wish me luck!
July 30, 2025 at 8:06 PM
I’ll be Edinburgh bound for a short trip to check out some potential programming for the SJT. I’ve managed to squeeze 19 shows into my 2.5 days, so there’s little room for much else. I used to do this and drink a pint between each show, I couldn’t manage a bottle of water these days! Wish me luck!
This is ‘Battleground’ a short play by young theatre maker Keane Liley, directed by yours truly, and supported by playwright Josh Overton. The play explores the challenges some young people face escaping the identity they’re given, and the fight to change their story. It’s 30 mins. Give it a try!
Battleground | Full performance | SJT
YouTube video by Stephen Joseph Theatre
www.youtube.com
July 29, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This is ‘Battleground’ a short play by young theatre maker Keane Liley, directed by yours truly, and supported by playwright Josh Overton. The play explores the challenges some young people face escaping the identity they’re given, and the fight to change their story. It’s 30 mins. Give it a try!
‘Feral’ has been nominated for Best Theatre and The Chris Mellor Award for New Writing in Scarborough Fringe. A privilege to tell this story and support the journey of this brilliant young theatre maker. The first part of the trilogy ‘Battleground’ can be seen here www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eWi...
July 29, 2025 at 4:57 AM
‘Feral’ has been nominated for Best Theatre and The Chris Mellor Award for New Writing in Scarborough Fringe. A privilege to tell this story and support the journey of this brilliant young theatre maker. The first part of the trilogy ‘Battleground’ can be seen here www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eWi...
Scarborough on top form today.
June 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Scarborough on top form today.
We performed the first outing of FERAL to an overwhelming response. It’s been an immense privilege to tell this story and it looks like we might be sharing it with a lot more people. Here’s to the next steps.
June 21, 2025 at 11:40 AM
We performed the first outing of FERAL to an overwhelming response. It’s been an immense privilege to tell this story and it looks like we might be sharing it with a lot more people. Here’s to the next steps.
The early morning start to get to London for Panto auditions.
June 6, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The early morning start to get to London for Panto auditions.
The view from the pier. Scarborough at night.
April 19, 2025 at 11:18 PM
The view from the pier. Scarborough at night.
CAREER PATH. The New Wolsey poached me away from the Dukes in ‘08 and I spent the next decade leading Creative Learning, Artist Development, work with Young Theatre Makers, and Studio programming as their Associate Director. 99 productions later the achievements were as rich as they were rewarding.
April 9, 2025 at 9:02 PM
CAREER PATH. The New Wolsey poached me away from the Dukes in ‘08 and I spent the next decade leading Creative Learning, Artist Development, work with Young Theatre Makers, and Studio programming as their Associate Director. 99 productions later the achievements were as rich as they were rewarding.
I almost crossed paths with the great Mike Bradwell many times. It’s a sad day to hear of his passing. The reach of his work will last for generations and for those who missed their chance to meet the man this is a bloody good place to start, and an acutely aimed kick up the arse to the rest of us!
April 8, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I almost crossed paths with the great Mike Bradwell many times. It’s a sad day to hear of his passing. The reach of his work will last for generations and for those who missed their chance to meet the man this is a bloody good place to start, and an acutely aimed kick up the arse to the rest of us!
It's World Day of Theatre for Children & Young People. Here's a few of the productions I've written and/or directed for the SJT in the last 2 years. The success of this programme of work is growing that audience all the time, and our investment in young theatre makers is clear.
March 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM
It's World Day of Theatre for Children & Young People. Here's a few of the productions I've written and/or directed for the SJT in the last 2 years. The success of this programme of work is growing that audience all the time, and our investment in young theatre makers is clear.
youtu.be/lA9W8WVX-VQ?...
All done… time to start on the next one!
All done… time to start on the next one!
Education Education Education | 11 - 15 March
YouTube video by Stephen Joseph Theatre
youtu.be
March 18, 2025 at 8:11 AM
youtu.be/lA9W8WVX-VQ?...
All done… time to start on the next one!
All done… time to start on the next one!
The Poster v The Cake. It’s tradition here at the SJT to celebrate every in house production with a specially designed cake. This one came with edible ink pens for the cast to graffiti.
March 15, 2025 at 4:49 PM
The Poster v The Cake. It’s tradition here at the SJT to celebrate every in house production with a specially designed cake. This one came with edible ink pens for the cast to graffiti.
I started the first ep of ‘Adolescence’ late at night and felt compelled to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Absolutely brutal. It’s as corrosive as it is coruscating, and that third episode is just something else. An object lesson in detail and range.
March 14, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I started the first ep of ‘Adolescence’ late at night and felt compelled to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Absolutely brutal. It’s as corrosive as it is coruscating, and that third episode is just something else. An object lesson in detail and range.
CAREER PATH. I joined The Dukes in Lancaster as Creative Learning Director in 2005 inheriting a rich legacy with as much to celebrate as there was to develop. I can’t say going into senior management at age 26 didn’t have its challenges, but I hold the Dukes and my time there in the highest regard
March 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
CAREER PATH. I joined The Dukes in Lancaster as Creative Learning Director in 2005 inheriting a rich legacy with as much to celebrate as there was to develop. I can’t say going into senior management at age 26 didn’t have its challenges, but I hold the Dukes and my time there in the highest regard
