Annual DEVOTED & DISGRUNTLED to Take Place in Birmingham

After a decade in London, Improbable's Devoted & Disgruntled (D&D) annual event will take place at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. Arising from a desire to be more national, available and accessible to people from across the UK, the idea to relocate has been under consideration since the hugely successful D&D Road Show in 2012.

Of the move, Artistic Director Phelim McDermott said "We are very excited about the opportunities that this change of venue opens up. We believe it will grow the D&D community and enrich the conversations that take place. We will of course continue working to make our Open Space events as accessible as possible because diversity is at the heart of this international conversation. For me, this year's event being at The REP is an exhilarating new chapter in the story of D&D."

Artistic Director Lee Simpson added "I think it's fantastic that D&D is headed to Birmingham. I'm sure it will widen and diversify the work that gets done. At the same time we're aware that London-based D&D devotees might be a bit disgruntled. We haven't forgotten you, and we'd love to see London regulars at The REP. Improbable is working to connect with networks that will help make staying in Birmingham more affordable for you, and we also have our satellite events throughout the year, most of which will be in and around the capital. I hope we can have a conversation with anyone who does feel disappointed so between us we can find more ways to open more space in more places."

The REP's Artistic Director Roxana Silbert added: "We could not be happier about being the first regional venue to host Improbable's annual January D&D. Although we know that it is the people who make it what it is, not the place, we see this as an important decision for those who may not have been able to engage with the event in previous years. D&D has a national impact already and I hope the move to the REP can make that even greater and more meaningful."

Devoted & Disgruntled is a conference with a difference. It has become an essential and highly anticipated part of the theatre world's annual calendar with a growing community and an ongoing dialogue. Themed D&D sessions take place throughout the year to focus on specific issues and art forms but the annual conference is singular and unique in its limitless agenda and because engagement and outcomes are entirely managed by attendees.

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