The pair will work alongside director Ian Rickson to open short runs of fully rehearsed, full-length plays, along with readings, panel discussions and other events in markets including the US and UK.
Together aims to “celebrate the raw power of storytelling” by stripping productions down to their essentials.
“With director Ian Rickson we wanted to create a company where actors, writers, and directors could experiment, explore, and take risks, away from the pressures that are often associated with the commercial theatre world,” said Jackman and Friedman in a joint statement.
“Together is about going back to basics, re-discovering the simple, thrilling essence of live performance.
“At the same time, this isn’t about our stepping away from Broadway or the West End—it’s about supporting and coexisting alongside them.”
Together targets small venues
Performances are planned to take place in small venues with established actors performing close to the audience. There is also a commitment to keeping productions affordable for the audience and to be as accessible as possible.
“We have always been drawn to theatre because of its raw energy—the excitement of a first reading, the joy of stepping into an unexpected role, that sense of a shared experience. With Ian, this company is our way of sharing those moments with audiences, making them part of our process,” Jackman and Friedman continued.
“We also want to embrace flexibility—whether that’s through varied performance schedules during the week or staging plays in repertoire, allowing productions and ideas to evolve in a spontaneous and organic way.
“By removing some of the usual constraints, we hope to create a space where the productions can feel fresh, alive, and ever-changing.”
Both Jackman and Friedman are hugely accomplished in the performing arts world, with the latter winning Golden Globe and Grammy Awards, among others, while Friedman was awarded a CBE in the 2023 New Year Honours.
Her company, Sonia Friedman Productions, was also ranked as the most influential theatre producer in the world by The Stage in 2019.