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Chickenshed is a theatre company for absolutely everyone. For fifty years, we’ve created bold and beautiful work from our limitless belief in each other.
An Evening with Sir Derek Jacobi
Featured event
18 January, 2026
Join us for a special conversation with Sir Derek Jacobi, one of Britain’s most distinguished actors
Upcoming events
Community Cuppa
9 January - 24 April, 2026
You're warmly invited to the very first Community Cuppa at Chickenshed – a new fundraising initiative that brings people together over a cuppa in a welcoming, inclusive space.
Tales from the Shed
17 January - 14 March, 2026
Tales from the Shed is back for the Spring season, with vibrant, inclusive theatre shows that are perfect for young children.
An Evening with Sir Derek Jacobi
18 January, 2026
Join us for a special conversation with Sir Derek Jacobi, one of Britain’s most distinguished actors
Community Choir at Chickenshed
21 January - 18 March, 2026
The Chickenshed Community Choir is a uniquely inclusive environment to develop your singing skills as part of an ensemble through a fantastic series of vocal sessions.
Ensemble Performance Workshop
22 January, 2026
Experience the SBU Ensemble style of performance which combines text, music and movement. Taking place on Thu 22 Jan at 6pm
Drama - Character and Text Workshop
22 January, 2026
Take part with members of the SBU community exploring drama through character and text work. Taking place on Thu 22 Jan at 7.30pm
Planet Play
23 January - 20 March, 2026
Ready for an exciting Spring of Planet Play? Join us for sensory fun and exploration, perfect for babies and toddlers aged 0-3 years.
Little Spark!
25 January - 22 March, 2026
Join our Sunday Shed drop-in workshop for ages 5-7, featuring new weekly themes with engaging drama, dance, music, and art activities!
Adult Acting Workshop
25 January - 15 March, 2026
These workshops are relaxed and informal sessions that will explore text and character using drama games and improvisation techniques.
Children's Performance Project
25 January - 22 March, 2026
Join our Sunday Shed performance project for children aged 8-11 and enhance music, dance, and singing skills.
Adult Performance Skills Workshop
25 January - 15 March, 2026
Explore your favourite songs from the musicals in this Sunday Shed performance skills workshop.
Young People's Performance Project
25 January - 22 March, 2026
Join the Young People's Performance Project for young people age 11-18. Engaging workshops where you'll learn scripts and get stuck into rehearsals. No experience necessary!
Jo Collins & Friends
31 January, 2026
The immensely talented Co-Founder of Chickenshed Jo Collins invites guests for a thrilling set of eclectic covers from pop to soul, funk, folk and more.
Musical Theatre Workshop
5 February, 2026
Have fun exploring a Musical Theatre song and bring it to life with the members of the SBU community. Taking place on Thu 5 Feb at 6pm
Sound and Image Workshop – Creating Soundscapes with our Voices
5 February, 2026
During this experimental taster workshop, we'll be using visual stimuli to create our own soundscapes, using our voices and surroundings. Taking place on Thu 5 Feb at 7.15pm
Friday Night Funnies
6 February, 2026
This February, live comedy is back at Chickenshed presented by Resistance Comedy!
Shift the Blues Movement Session
12 February, 2026
Join us at this dance session that aims to shift the blues away as we move our bodies to some tranquil, hopeful, and uplifting tunes. Taking place on Thu 12 Feb at 6pm
Drama Improvisation Workshop
12 February, 2026
Come and explore an accessible fun session playing with situations, characters and scenarios. Taking place on Thu 12 Feb at 7.30pm
RISE Festival DAY ONE
20 February, 2026
The RISE Festival is an exciting opportunity to see new theatre from the young voices of Chickenshed.
RISE Festival DAY TWO
21 February, 2026
The RISE Festival is an exciting opportunity to see new theatre from the young voices of Chickenshed.
Community Choir at Christ the King
25 February - 25 March, 2026
The Chickenshed Community Choir is a uniquely inclusive environment to develop your singing skills as part of an ensemble through a fantastic series of vocal sessions.
Creative Writers' Workshop - Feb
26 February, 2026
Be part of the SBU creative process and join our writers’ room, working with Director of the SBU programme, Rachel Yates, and guest writers. Taking place on Thu 26 Feb at 6.30pm
Encyclopaedia of Happiness
27 - 28 February, 2026
When the pages of the Encyclopaedia of Happiness start to fade, joy begins disappearing from Joytopia!
Who Dunnit - Murder Mystery Evening
28 February, 2026
Enter our glitzy speakeasy, take your seat as part of a detective team, and help uncover the truth behind a shocking murder that unfolds live around you.
Puppetry and Object Manipulation Workshop
5 March, 2026
Bring the objects around you to life, using play and puppetry skills with your imagination. Taking place on Thu 5 Mar at 6pm
The Wrong They Knew
5 - 28 March, 2026
The Wrong They Knew is a powerful story of courage, community, and the fight to be heard.
Bring Your Own Baby
6 March, 2026
Bring Your Own Baby Comedy is the UK's premier baby-friendly comedy club!
Open Evening
12 March, 2026
Come and find out about the courses we offer at our 2026 Open Events.
Creative Writers' Workshop - March
12 March, 2026
Be part of the SBU creative process and join our writers’ room, working with Director of the SBU programme, Rachel Yates, and guest writers. Taking place on Thu 12 Mar at 6.30pm
Get Creative with Clay Workshop
19 March, 2026
Come and explore your inner creativity with a lovely hands-on session playing with clay. Taking place on Thu 19 Mar at 6pm
Move & Groove with Planet Play
21 March, 2026
A gentle, sensory-led session with playful movement and music for the tiniest movers.
Move & Groove with Tales
21 March, 2026
More active and imaginative movement adventures, perfect for growing explorers.
Song Lyric Workshop
26 March, 2026
A beautiful workshop led by our resident SBU musician and composer, Liz Kitchen, who will gently guide you to put words to music, or even music to words! Taking place on Thu 26 Mar at 6pm
Open Music Making Workshop
26 March, 2026
Come and celebrate the joy of making music together. Bring your own instruments if you have any or share our percussion instruments. Taking place on Thu 26 Mar at 7.15pm
Totally Tales
28 March, 2026
After a brilliant summer run, the ultimate storytelling collaboration returns Totally Tales is back!
Jo Collins & Friends
29 March, 2026
The immensely talented Co-Founder of Chickenshed Jo Collins invites guests for a thrilling set of eclectic covers from pop to soul, funk, folk and more.
Easter Shed
30 March, 2026
Easter Shed is for anyone between the ages of 5-11, and in school year 1-6, and is delivered by Chickenshed’s highly experienced and energetic team!
Easter Bunny Tales
7 - 11 April, 2026
Egg-stra Special Easter Fun! Join us this April for Easter-themed performances filled with enchanting stories, lively songs, and plenty of movement.
Quiz Night
17 April, 2026
Gather your friends and family for an exciting night of brain-teasing fun!
Laugh Your Shed Off
8 May, 2026
Join us for a joyful night of fundraising for Chickenshed through stand-up!
Sunday Shed
Jump into the fun at Sunday Shed – every week at Chickenshed!
Creative, energetic and packed with imagination, these fun-filled workshops are perfect for children and young people aged 5-18 who love to move, make and perform.
Each session explores storytelling through drama, movement and music – all in Chickenshed’s inclusive and welcoming style.
Join us on Sundays in Jan | From £8 per session
Featured stories
"I love every single thing that you stand for and what you represent. Inclusivity is so important. Every body feeling represented, and you do that in abundance."
Alesha Dixon after Chickenshed's 'Britain's Got Talent' Golden Buzzer Audition
“Seeing young people on stage, and some of them even looked like me... It was absolutely mindblowing for me, and it got me so excited about theatre. I fell in love with Chickenshed at that moment.”
Michael Bossisse, former Chickenshed student
"Chickenshed - so called because it started life in a disused chicken shed in Barnet - has, over half a century, grown into one of UK theatre's most important arts organisations while never losing its core commitment to diversity and inclusivity."
Lyn Gardner - Associate Editor of The Stage, Theatre Critic, Journalist and Children's Author
Friends of Chickenshed
Friends of Chickenshed play a vital role in funding our work to create an inclusive society and securing our future, so that we can be here for the children, young people and communities we work with.
By giving regularly, you are helping us to changes lives and create a better world for us all to live in.
Who we are
We are exceptionally lucky to have an incredibly devoted community at Chickenshed, without whom we would not be able to achieve our mission of creating entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change.
Creating wonder out of chaos
Through our productions, our performance training, our education courses, and our outreach projects, our mission is to create wonder out of chaos and change out of challenge.
Support us
Every year, we support over 15,000 children and young people, with over 60% facing isolation due to mental/physical health, bullying, disabilities, or caregiving roles. Chickenshed becomes their sanctuary – a second home.
Join our team of superstar supporters and volunteers, helping us shine as their beacon of hope.
Keep in touch
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Accolades
