Derby Theatre 2025 Highlights

Derby Theatre’s Christmas 2024 season ran into early January, featuring two festive favourites for all ages. A Christmas Carol, a thrilling new adaptation by Mike Kenny, brought Dickens’ timeless story of hope and redemption to life, while Chicken Licken, in collaboration with Hiccup Theatre and Polka Theatre, delighted younger audiences with live music, puppetry and playful storytelling. All performances included integrated BSL, creative captions and integrated audio description, ensuring a joyful and accessible festive experience for everyone.

“They brought utter professionalism, talent and confidence to the stage”

Beyond the Curtain, A Christmas Carol ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“It’s a really fun, creative and inclusive show that the whole family can enjoy.”

Boom Magazine, Chicken Licken

We welcomed over 500 business guests to the theatre as host for Marketing Derby‘s Annual Business Event

Derby Theatre launched internal Carbon Literacy Training, with over a third of staff expected to complete it by the end of the year. The programme supports both individual and collective actions to reduce the theatre’s environmental impact and emissions.

Story Chefs, created by Maison Foo and the Creative Sanctuary Group, brought the stories of Sanctuary Café members to life with puppets, music, theatre and a touch of mischief and magic. The performance was followed by post-show food tasters from around the world, prepared and served with care at the pop-up Story Chef Kitchen, blending storytelling and culinary delights in a unique, immersive experience.

“A joyful and yet thoughtful production, it was great tasting the foods. I loved the multiracial aspect of the event, and everyone was so happy to be together”

In 2025, CANVAS led 123 Early Years Hub sessions (MOVE ME), with 2091 participants having engaged in total across the year. These sessions are led by 6 freelance lead and support artists, who use dance, movement, sensory play and storytelling to engage children in early childhood development. These sessions take place at 3 Derby City Family Hubs, in Becket, Derwent and Osmaston/Allenton. This free weekly provision provides a safe space for parents and children to socialise, learn and grow together in fun and engaging arts activities.

“Range of opportunities for the children to learn, play and express themselves”

“We don’t speak English at home, so the session is very helpful for her when learning English.” MOVE ME parents

Derby Theatre, in partnership with Octagon Theatre Bolton, Hull Truck Theatre and Theatre by the Lake, led on a four-venue tour of Of Mice & Men Of Mice and Men, a gripping tale of friendship and hope by John Steinbeck, around two drifters on an Californian ranch bound by a shared faith and the ambition to live the great American dream during the Great Depression. Every performance included Creative Audio Description, performed in character by the cast of the show. Our creative team expanded to include: Access Consultants, Access All Areas, to integrate two learning-disabled actors with lived experiences of the characters in the story into our company; Ibraheem Toure to support us looking at the dramaturgy of race in the text and Hear the Picture supporting us to look at how we integrate Creative Audio Description for Blind and visually impaired audiences.

“Two hours of potential life-changing drama”

East Midlands Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“An impressively faithful production”

The Stage ⭐⭐⭐⭐

“That was wonderful! Having disabled actors in the role is so important.”

Audience Feedback

CANVAS, a citywide project led by Derby Theatre which harnesses the energies and creativity of young people and families in the local area, hosted an Early Years Training & Networking Day at Chapel Street Arts Centre, engaging 15 early years practitioners/artists from the East Midlands area. The day included workshops with Derby Museums exploring their STEAM practice, and Handmade Theatre, exploring puppet making and manipulation.

The Studio season launched with a vibrant programme, with February highlights including Alphabetti Theatre’s Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light, a joyful and moving solo show following Elsa’s journey of self-discovery, thoughtfully designed with neurodiverse audiences in mind through relaxed sound and optional headphones, and Sibylla Archdale Kalid’s Maria in the Stars, an interactive space adventure for ages 7+ featuring integrated BSL and creative captioning as young audiences explored Mars alongside an ambitious young astronaut.

Early March saw a standout Studio highlight with Fractured Glass in association with The Rep’s Good for a Girl, a bold, funny and hard-hitting production following a women’s football team on a historic FA Cup run, celebrating the resilience of female players while exposing the inequalities they continue to face on and off the pitch.
In Good Company hosted their first scratch night of the year, FROM SCRATCH! The evening saw four new pieces of performance showcased in front of audiences for the first time. The evening had a mix of DJ Paint parties, folk music and new writing.
We were delighted to support Sarah ‘Rain’ Kolawole in her Research and Development period for her new show, Ayo. Sarah is a Derby Theatre associate artist as part of Graeae’s Beyond programme.

Derby Theatre took part in the Big Give Arts for Impact 2025 campaign. A public fundraising appeal that was match-funded, raising over £1400 vital funds to support our Bramblebrook Hub, providing weekly creative activities for young people.

Third year University of Derby Theatre Arts students presented a variety of independent work in our Festival Showcase, a mix of new writing, a binaural sound experience, captioned performances and a murder mystery tour. A celebration of creativity, innovation and raw emotion, our students took to the stage to showcase their passion and dedication.

Buffy Revamped was a fast-paced, one-performer touring show that hilariously retold all seven seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer in just 70 minutes, through the sharp, satirical lens of fan-favourite Spike.

CANVAS led their first Family Fun Day, a day filled with creative activities, including crafts, movement, storytelling and a treasure hunt of the year, engaging over 100 young people and their grown-ups. 74 of these individuals joined us from Derby City Council Family Hubs with free tickets to see visiting children’s show, The Detective Dog – for many, it was their first trip to see a theatre show.

Derby Theatre welcome local company, Economit Ltd as one of their Corporate Partners.

Our BSL integrated and creatively audio described show, Chicken Licken, for 3-7s transferred to Polka Theatre, London.

“With a cluster of country music songs and a delicate aesthetic, this is a particularly welcoming and gentle piece of theatre for children aged three to seven”

The Guardian

The Neurodiversity & Me event was organised by members of the steering group at the St. Luke’s Church (Stockbrook) and welcomed more than 200 people to look around the stalls from local organisations and charities, participate in craft workshops by Bello Mind & Soul and listen to a fantastic line-up of guest speakers and artists, all centred around neurodiversity. The event created a relaxed space for everyone to find support and learn but, most importantly, connect and have fun together.

“It was a really great event, with a really lovely atmosphere! I would love to see more of these types of events. The stands, the performances, the food and the people were all fantastic!”

DT Communities organised multiple workshops and training opportunities for local communities and the members of the steering groups. The Stockbrook and Normanton steering groups received training in different areas, including Safeguarding with Safe & Sound and BSL training with Derby College which helped them gain confidence and take a lead during community events.

“Fantastic how people come together and share ideas. I learnt so much during the workshop”

Workshop participant

Bill Kenwright Ltd presented Boys from the Blackstuff, a powerful touring production of James Graham’s searing adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s BAFTA award-winning TV series, bringing the grit, humour and resilience of 1980s Liverpool to the stage as five men fight for dignity, work and survival. It was one of many top class touring productions we had for the season.

Mid-Career Investment Award – we supported Adam Carver aka Fatt Butcher with £8000, one to one mentoring and general support. The fund provides artists with the space and time to place investment where it’s needed best for their practice. This fund allowed Fatt Productions to continue their incredible work across the Midlands and UK.

We once again hosted the National Theatre Connections Festival, with brilliant performances from youth theatres from across the region. The festival was for young people, by young people – with our young Ambassadors presenting an open mic night, taking over our social media, hosting the visiting companies and welcoming audiences. We also received funding to support 4 young technicians, starting out in their careers, to receive free training, shadowing and opportunities to design and operate a main house show.

Yet another great main stage production from the third year University of Derby Theatre Arts students. Jekyll & Hyde by Evan Placey was a modern twist on a classic tale. This final production from our students showcases their extraordinary talent and dedication to their learning journey with the University of Derby and Derby Theatre.

“Amazing work by all!”

Audience Feedback

Studio production Joseph K by Tom Basden was performed by the second year University of Derby Theatre Arts students. Both productions were supported by Sound, Light and Live Event Engineering courses at the University of Derby.

Local company, Planning and Design Practice confirm their support as a corporate partner

Reaching Communities toured BLOOM with Spiltmilk Dance Company into care homes in Derby, specifically for people living with dementia supported by funding awarded by the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Charitable Trust (£3000 awarded in February 2025).

We received funding from The Tom Carey Fund (Foundation Derbyshire) to support a continued programme of activity for young people in Bramblebrook in 2026 and beyond (£30,000 awarded in two £15,000 grants).

The Speak Out Summit celebrated a two-year, externally funded collaboration between Derby Theatre and six primary schools from the St Ralph Sherwin Multi Academy Trust, supported by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The programme reached over 2,100 students through sustained creative oracy work, delivered across more than 36 Speak Out sessions. Twelve teachers took part in a structured development programme, with each school paired with a professional artist to support collaboration, reflection and skills transfer. Activity included professional development at Derby Theatre and whole-school staff workshops jointly led by teachers and artists, enabling drama and oracy to be embedded into everyday classroom practice beyond the project. The impact was recognised externally, with two schools receiving specific mention of pupils’ oracy and communication skills in Ofsted inspection reports.

DT Communities worked with Virsa Theatre Company who brought Heer Ranjha to Normanton Library, a story of star-crossed lovers trying to overcome their societal obligations and risk it all for each other. It was the first time a Punjabi play was performed in Derby and it was very well received by the community!

“Loved the fact it was in Punjabi and was relatable to the South Asian community. Enjoyed speaking with the cast after the show.”

Creative Learning took part in the Foundation Teacher Development Fund, exploring how drama can help build teacher confidence, skills and communication, particularly in schools with an above-average English as an Additional Language (EAL) cohort.

“Over the past two years, in collaboration with Derby Theatre and our wonderful artist Laura, we have been taught how to use drama to develop children’s speaking and listening skills, and this has not just been successful; it’s been transformative.”

F. Hickling, Teacher St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy

Some of the Youth Theatre team attended the Youth Theatre Together conference at Contact Theatre in Manchester – the first gathering of its kind, responding to the 2024 Youth Theatre Census Report. From networking to future planning, it was all about championing the power of youth theatre in England – and road mapping its future!

“We left feeling inspired and optimistic for the future – having realised how big, important and impactful youth theatre is!”

A Derby Theatre production, Kiss Me Quickstep was a sparkling, chandelier-filled show of stunning ballroom dancing, sequins and secrets from the much-loved, award-winning Amanda Whittington, set against the rivalry of Blackpool’s national championships where ambition, loyalty and hidden truths collided and dreams and reputations hung by a thread. The production marked Lilac Yosiphon’s midscale directing debut, with Derby Theatre’s technical team building the set and delivering free Theatre Unwrapped Hard Hat sessions offering behind-the-scenes insight into construction, alongside Final Stages sessions where audiences listened in on technical rehearsals for a unique view of the production’s final moments.

“It’s a feel-good, tap your feet and make you smile kind of show” Elemental Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Engaging, great performances and fantastic acting!” Audience Feedback

Derby Theatre hosted its third Culture Cares Conference, co-created with care-experienced young people and presented by Plus One Ambassadors Bry and Sam, and Plus One Co-ordinator Tom Craig, bringing together the cultural and care sectors for an inspiring and insightful day. The conference featured keynote contributions from Richard Dawson and Olympian Fatima Whitbread MBE, alongside workshops, talks and performances from Articulate Cultural Trust, Derby City Virtual School, Blue Cabin, The Verbatim Formula, Care to Dance and Literati Arts. Contributors included Ty’rone Haughton and Lucy James, alongside care-experienced young people whose voices shaped the day, celebrating creativity, lived experience and the positive impact of the arts for young people in care and care leavers.

Departure Lounge Festival saw over 750 attendances across the three-day fringe festival. Our programme hosted a programme made up of over 60% diverse voices and stories. This year’s shows included, Fatt Butcher’s Send in the Clowns, The Cocoa Butter Club’s Afronaught, Silent Uproar’s Sh*t Life Crisis, outdoor paint rave Stumbling, an evening of fresh new works in FROM SCRATCH!, and much more.

Our youth theatres produced another bumper crop of incredible theatre – with something for everyone from drama, comedy, digital animations, Shakespeare, live music and a massive ‘Mindless Monster’ puppet.
Well done to the casts and crews of: Mud, Ink and Magic Stuff, Stuck in a Book, The Deaf Detective Dog, Forward to the Past, Monday, Again, A Series of Public Apologies, The Tempest, You 2.0, A Vampire Story, and Love and Information.

Derby Theatre once again rolled out the red carpet to host the 29th Eagle Awards, a glittering evening dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary talent and dedication of Derby and Derbyshire’s amateur theatre community. Guests enjoyed an unforgettable evening bursting with pzazz and panache, featuring an incredible line-up of live performances. The night was expertly compered by the inimitable Morgan Brind, who kept proceedings lively and entertaining from start to finish. More involved included DALEDIVA Choir, Des Coleman, Rising Stars Musical Theatre, Belper Musical Theatre Juniors, Lady Rose, Owen Brindley, and Kristian Thomas Company, each of whom lit up the stage with energy and brilliance.

CANVAS teamed up with Derby City Council, Derby Promise, Culture Derby, Derby Market Hall and Wrongsemble alongside cultural partners, artists and schools in Derby, to coordinate and deliver the first ever Derby Dream Fest, a two-day youth festival taking over Derby Market Hall, with performances by and for young people, plus a host of creative workshops, cultural careers talks, sensory zone, chill out zone and early years area. The festival engaged over 4000 people, including performers, audience and participants across both days.

“It’s been wonderful to watch young minds unleash their creativity and have so much fun in doing so. There’s been a real focus on encouraging young people to explore their imagination and understand more about creative careers, taking an ‘if you can see it, you can believe it’ approach.”

Neil Wilkinson, Executive Headteacher at The Bemrose School

Over August, CANVAS delivered 4 creative careers led toolkits, engaging 37 young people. These multi-day toolkits explored stage making/building, digital technologies, performance skills and mixed media/visual arts. Through these sessions young people gained hands on experience and learnt about journeys into creative careers. The toolkits worked towards building skills for our Youth Takeover in September, with the Future Creatives building their own mini theatre, which can be found in Derby Theatres lower foyer area, and is now utilised as a children’s area. They also made the 50th Anniversary banners which are displayed above the Derby Theatre entrance.

IGC ran Producer Bootcamp, the first week long intensive aimed at early career producers and self producing artists. During the course attendees learn the ins and outs of producing for live performing from funding applications, PR & Press, Audience development, touring and more. Attendees from this course have gone on to secure producing roles and experience.

Cosy Foundation renew their corporate partnership and increase their support to fund 3 bursary places at Derby Theatre’s Youth Theatre.

Rothera Bray Solicitors confirm their support as a corporate partner.

Derby Theatre’s workshop received upgrades this year, including a new table saw to enable more precise and ambitious builds. The enhanced facilities were put to full use in constructing the set for the toe-tapping, laugh-out-loud re-telling of the children’s classic Tortoise and the Hare in the Derby Theatre Studio for the 2025 Christmas show, allowing the technical team to bring the playful story and its puppetry, music and highjinks vividly to life.

Derby Theatre launched the call-out for 50 Faces: Derby Theatre: My Story, a new portrait and audio project celebrating 50 years of stories, people and performances. Actors, artists, creatives, audiences, young people, staff, volunteers and community members were invited to share their personal connections to the Theatre. Photographer Holly Revell began capturing portraits, while audio artist Seb Harcombe recorded memories, moments and messages from participants.

There was a Summer Fundraising Appeal to support bursary places at Youth Theatre for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The amount raised totalled to £1200 for the young people.
Derby Theatre’s technical team travelled to Scotland, to Pitlochry Festival Theatre ahead of our co-production of The Great Gatsby. They attended a performance and visited the set to understand its design and logistics, planning how the set would be transported and installed for the Derby Theatre get-in. This preparation ensured a smooth transition and faithful recreation of the show on our stage.
Derby Theatre celebrates 50 years of bold and brilliant theatre on our city centre site (20th September). Our birthday weekend included a drinks reception for Friends, donors and supporters. It concluded in a brilliant performance from Derwent Brass at their annual concert.

Our Wardrobe Department supplied costumes for the 50 Years Costume Trail. This celebrated the work of our backstage teams and saw costumes from past productions displayed at venues across the city with a family-friendly trail of clues linking them.

Original Theatre, in association with Joshua Beaumont and Huw Allen, presented Murder at Midnight, a comedy thriller by Torben Betts, returning as the sequel to Murder in the Dark and delivering a star-studded, darkly comic New Year’s murder mystery packed with outrageous characters, high-stakes suspense and wicked twists that kept audiences guessing until the final stroke of ‘midnight’.

As part of Derby Theatre’s 50th anniversary, CANVAS delivered a Takeover Day, led by their Future Creatives, giving young people the chance to run a cultural space and create something entirely their own. The event engaged 200 participants, including 31 young performers, who took leading roles in producing, marketing, technical, hosting and front-of-house. The day featured creative workshops, birthday celebrations, an inspiring Open Mic, and culminated in a vibrant unforgettable Youth Takeover Performance on the Main Stage, showcasing Derby’s next generation of artists, leaders and changemakers.

“It was a wonderful experience to part of, and I was very happy with the result and the amazing performers we had”

Takeover Volunteer

“The atmosphere felt inclusive and supportive, which made for a great experience for both performers and leaders.”

Takeover Performer

IGC ran their pilot scheme for Script Window, a direct response to writers across the Midland feeding back a need for a literary department. They received over 45 scripts and each was read by a freelance reader in full. Each writer received a full-page report highlighting voice, themes, character, plot, and specific feedback for each script. This was hugely well received with writers feeding back how useful and invaluable it was to have professional eyes on their work.

£17,437 awarded from The Theatres Trust and Wolfson Foundation Theatre Improvement Scheme was used to replace and improve lighting in the foyer and backstage. Over 105 fittings were upgraded to LED improving our appearance, working conditions and environmental sustainability.

Alverprise renew their partnership and confirm continued support of Derby Theatre

Derby Theatre, in partnership with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, presented The Great Gatsby, a striking new adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, featuring live music and set against the glamorous backdrop of the Jazz Age in 1922. The production captured the enduring power of the novel, offering a vivid portrayal of ambition, illusion and the cost of chasing an unattainable dream.

“A glittering musical romance”

Behind The Arras ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Great show and wonderful performances, old sport”

Audience Comment

First panel with University of Derby’s CivicLab explored social mobility, comparing the 1920s of The Great Gatsby era with now. Celebrated author, academic and American Literature expert Professor Sarah Churchwell joined Artistic Director Sarah Brigham, Dr. Corey Mwamba and Dr Robin Simms to discuss the enduring themes of The Great Gatsby and how they resonate today.

We hosted our Fundraising Gala performance of The Great Gatsby. Welcomed over 300 guests for an evening of celebration, raising vital funds to support our work into the next 50 years and beyond. Georgia Hair, KTCo Dancers and Derwent Brass performed, the evening was supported by local businesses as sponsors (Vaillant Group, East Midlands Chamber, Bluebell Dairy, RS Events, Fluid Ideas, Print Box UoD, The Stolen Fig) and a raffle raised over £1400.

The completed exhibition 50 Faces: Derby Theatre: My Story opened in the lower foyer café, showcasing 50 portraits alongside the audio stories collected over the summer. Hundreds of applications spanning five decades – from first-time visitors to lifelong audience members, from childhood inspirations to life-changing careers – were represented through these portraits and recordings, highlighting Derby Theatre’s enduring role at the heart of the city’s cultural life.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without my 3 years at Derby. That’s the truth!”

Former Technical Theatre student

“We quite literally owe our whole lives to Derby Theatre.”

Previous staff members, who met at the theatre and got engaged on stage

Sam Rushton was a panellist for the University of Derby’s CivicLAB x RSA event, Creating Community Hubs, Centres of Care, welcoming Fellows to campus for an evening of talks and networking that shared insights across civic action and placemaking, and explored how grassroots local action can create meaningful change with national and international impact by setting best practice that can be replicated globally.

IGC and DT Communities hosted Community Scratch Night, an evening of new work and writing from across the Midlands, with DJ Eza hosting and providing music. Audiences experienced works in progress from emerging artists, including Caroline Mtambalika, Olufeyisayo Seotan, singer Terrianne Lloyd-Jones, and musical comedian Willow, gaining access to multiple performances and seeing the beginnings of pieces that will continue to develop, showcasing the best of Midland talent.

Vaillant Group confirm their support as a corporate partner

The 6th Annual MA Applied Theatre & Education Symposium saw students present their research findings through performance, co-creation and storytelling. The event celebrated achievements in furthering Derby Theatre’s vision to engage and empower young people and communities, while exploring new theories and approaches in performance pedagogy

As part of national #iWillWeek, CANVAS celebrated the power of young people to shape their communities, amplifying voices through dance, workshops, poetry and group reflections on Truth, Dignity, Justice, Community and Joy. The week culminated in a new staff pledge, co-created with young people, committing to safe and welcoming spaces, youth voice in decision making, clear pathways and progression, shining a light on young people’s stories, and improving access by removing barriers, called Derby Theatre’s Pledge to Young People.

Normanton Steering Group organised a cultural showcase, United Colours of Derby, celebrating fashion and talent from around the world on a local level. The audience enjoyed a catwalk and performances from local artists in cultural outfits ranging from Ukraine and Latvia through India, South America and finishing with a powerful and colourful Caribbean Carnival costumes. The event brough together more than 100 people in a sell-out success celebrating local people, creativity and the rich cultural diversity that brings our communities together.

“Thanks to all the staff who put so much time and effort organising the event. I really enjoyed the performances from different cultural backgrounds”.

Our Main House production, Oliver Twist brought Dickens’ iconic story to life in a magical new adaptation by Deborah McAndrew for Christmas 2025. Featuring actor-musicians, a talented young company, carols, folk songs and original music, this enchanting version follows young orphan Oliver from the workhouse to the streets of Victorian London as he navigates the city’s underworld in search of family, love and a place to call home, filled with adventure and festive sparkle.

“This tremendous show is a must watch for this festive period.”

East Midlands Theatre ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Really is the perfect show for Christmas.”

Poppy Jo and Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Throughout 2025, CANVAS delivered 67 Future Creatives activities, engaging 650 young people aged 11–30. The programme offers free creative opportunities, including skills workshops, theatre and gallery trips, producer sessions and mentoring. This year, Future Creatives also contributed to Derby Dream Fest and the Youth Takeover, as part of Derby Theatre’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

Funding confirmed from Esmee Fairbarin Foundation (£195,000) to support the continuation of Plus One, a creative programme working with and for care experienced young people

Festive show Wonderland was performed at Derby Theatre and toured into care homes for people living with Dementia with Spiltmilk Dance Company, supported by funding from East Midlands Railway Community Fund (£4000 funding awarded in May 2025)

The Acts of Kindness 2025 Christmas Appeal supported pay it forward tickets for individuals and community groups who face barriers to attending the theatre. Thanks to the generosity of our audiences, £14,033 has been raised so far this year, helping more people experience live theatre at Derby Theatre.

An Archive Exhibition was installed on the foyer wall next to the auditorium, showcasing shows, news items and images from the past 50 years, celebrating Derby Theatre’s rich history and marking its 50th anniversary.

“It [Future Creatives] has allowed me to meet young people with the same interests as me from all walks of life. It has allowed me to grow in confidence and experience things I would have never been able to”

Future Creative Participant.

The second CivicLab panel explored child poverty through the lens of Oliver Twist, using the social injustices in Dickens’ story, including the workhouse system, gang crime and child abuse, to spark contemporary discussion about similar issues facing 21st century Derby and the UK. The event opened with addresses from Councillor Nadine Peatfield, Deputy Mayor, and Sarah Brigham, CEO and Artistic Director of Derby Theatre. Panellists included Baasit Siddiqui, speaker, educator and TV personality, Professor Alessio D’Angelo, Professor of Public and Social Policy at the University of Derby, Gillian Sewell, CEO of YMCA and Founder of the Lewis Sewell Foundation, Hope Cherriman, DT Ambassador, Youth Theatre member and Front of House staff member, and Paul Brookhouse, Senior Manager at Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance, bringing lived experience, policy insight and community perspectives together for a powerful debate.

“I am a 17-year-old girl that grew up in Stockbrook and due to the theatre’s time they put into our area, I then joined the youth theatre and am now heavily involved with everything that goes on”

Hope Cherriman

Derby Theatre, in partnership with Hiccup Theatre and Polka Theatre, presented Tortoise and the Hare in the Derby Theatre Studio before it continued to other venues. This toe tapping, laugh out loud re telling of the classic tale featured integrated BSL, creative captions and integrated audio description in every performance. Full of puppetry, hare larious highjinks, lively storytelling and original live music, this festive show was perfect fun for ages 3+ and their families.

“Though it is catered towards a younger audience it was thoroughly enjoyable”

Creative Ambassador comment

“This is truly theatre made for children and completely inclusive for all.”

Kev Castle Theatre Reviews