Bertel Martin becomes the new chair of Tobacco Factory Theatres

For over three decades, Bertel Martin has been a key contributor to Bristol’s voluntary sector and arts scene.

As well as founding the hugely influential Bristol Black Writers Group in the late 1980s, he has since worked across many facets of the city’s creative landscape, variously as a director, producer, project manager and poet.

Having sat on numerous boards including Circomedia, Albany Centre, Bristol Broadside, Theatre Bristol, Come the Revolution, Nilaari and Bristol Short Story Prize, Martin now joins Tobacco Factory Theatres as their new chair of the board.

Sarah Smith MBE and Bertel Martin, new Chair, Tobacco Factory Theatres – photo: Craig Fuller

The appointment follows the departure of Sarah Smith MBE who is standing down after 13 years in the role, a period during which TFT has undergone a sustained period of transformation.

From an expansion in its staff team and training, education and community participation schemes to the introduction of its studio space, The Spielman Theatre, TFT is continuing to build on its vision as the natural home of theatrical talent – both established and emerging – in south Bristol.

Martin joined Bristol24/7 to share his thoughts on the organisation’s future.

Exterior building: Tobacco Factory Theatres

Congratulations on becoming the new TFT Chair. What’s your aim for the role going forward?

“Sarah left the Board in a strong, healthy position. As well as myself as chair, there are two vice-chairs, Joe Bell and Ali Eynon. We recognise there are people with skills and expertise they could contribute to the Board; what we are going to discuss is how we can make taking on roles within the Board less daunting.

“That will mean finding a balance between members contributing their skills and experience and helping them to explore their areas of interest and passion, while at the same time providing invaluable support for the incredible team of staff we have at TFT.”

As someone who has made such a prominent contribution to the cultural landscape within Bristol over the last three decades, can you share some of the standout moments?

“My introduction to the arts in Bristol was through community engagement, so some highlights have been bumping into adults who were once inspired, by being in poetry workshops with me, to go for careers they would not have considered before.

“Also the number of writers who started creative careers through developing their craft within Bristol Black Writers Group has been a real stand-out moment for me – Ros Martin, Edson Burton and Miles Chambers to name a few.”

How would you place the role of TFT within that landscape, and to what extent would you like to see that position shift or change in line with the times?

“The past few years have shown how the landscape can change rapidly within a few months. I include in that landscape participants’, residents’ and audiences’ aspirations, expectations and need to engage both with each other and with art.

“Art is about change, people are about change; Heidi, the new artistic director, is a great supporter of people having voices and space to express themselves. The process of change is vitally important, and TFT’s ability to engage, reflect and respond to a multitude of voices will inform any shift or changes: those voices coming out of their outreach and Young Producers programme; the theatre professionals within and outside of our networks; the local community and audience members too.”

What more can be done to increase the diversity of audiences, reduce the perception of theatre as elitist, and widen access to theatre within communities that may often attend?

“Work is being done through the stories being told, the casting and employment throughout organisations to reflect the diversity found in the population. Audiences are becoming more diverse and crossing over between contemporary theatre, classical theatre and much more fringe and cabaret than ever before.

“I think when it is said that theatre is elitist, people are disregarding the wealth of theatre productions from community theatre, amateur dramatic and commercial mainstream – all of which are well supported by audiences – and selecting just a few theatre venues and productions from which to make that judgement.

“For me, the key to widening access and participation is valuing people, their stories, their lives and culture, and their contribution to the art and cultural life of their community. TFT have been doing some brilliant work in this area, not least with their Share The Story campaign which ran alongside the production of Revealed. Over 570 young people were given free tickets for a play that was all about the importance of talking and sharing your story. It had a profound impact on young people of many backgrounds and ages, and it sparked important conversations about the society we live in.”

Share the Story campaign – artwork: Tobacco Factory Theatres

What are you most excited about for the future of south Bristol arts and culture?

“I’m excited by how residents and resident artists grasp opportunities to be expressive and creative, whether that is through community gardens, street art, developing art studios and venues and using spaces. I like being surprised and south Bristol is full of surprises.”

Oliver Twist (age recommendation 7+) is at Tobacco Factory Theatres from December 1-January 21 2024 at 7pm, with some additional matinee shows. Tickets for this and all other upcoming shows are available at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

Main photo: Craig Fuller

Read more: Tobacco Factory Theatres reimagines Oliver Twist for Christmas 2023

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