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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.
12 Days
Featured event
18 November, 2026 - 9 January, 2027
Our 2026 Christmas show '12 Days' is on sale now.
Upcoming events
Children's Summer Season
25 July - 15 August, 2026
This summer, join us for a fantastic season of children’s shows, featuring Darnaby's Space Race, Fairies Tale, Sunshine Tales and more!
Tales Big Day Out
25 July, 2026
A joyful afternoon of live shows, workshops and playful surprises for ages 0–7.
Summer Shed
27 July - 3 August, 2026
Summer 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!
Sunshine Tales
29 July - 6 August, 2026
A sun-soaked summer holiday of a show, full of music, silliness and Tales magic – perfect for ages 0–6!
Darnaby’s Space Race
31 July - 2 August, 2026
A joyful, high-energy show packed with imagination, laughter and outer space fun. For ages 0-9
Fairies Tale
7 - 9 August, 2026
A magical, family-friendly adventure full of wonder and imagination. Fairies Tale follows one human who doesn’t believe in magic… until they become lost in the fairy world, with the fate of both worlds at stake. For ages 0-9
Summer Scratch
10 August, 2026
A summer theatre project for 11-17 year olds, and in school year 7-13, who are interested in sharing and developing a passion for writing, performance, movement and music.
The Fairy Academy: the Magic of the Elements
12 - 13 August, 2026
Join The Fairy Academy and become a fairy in training! When the magic of Earth, Air, Fire and Water begins to fade, young audiences must help restore balance through songs, spells and magical trials. For ages 2-8
Little Spark!
13 September - 25 October, 2026
Join our Sunday Shed drop-in workshop for ages 4-7 (Reception - Year 2), featuring new weekly themes with engaging drama, dance, music, and art activities!
Acting Workshops for Adults
13 September - 25 October, 2026
These workshops are relaxed and informal sessions that will explore text and character using drama games and improvisation techniques.
Children's Performance Project
13 September - 25 October, 2026
Join our Sunday Shed performance project for children aged 8-11 and enhance music, dance, and singing skills.
Musical Theatre Workshop for Adults
13 September - 25 October, 2026
Explore your favourite songs from the musicals in this Sunday Shed performance skills workshop.
Young People's Performance Project
13 September - 25 October, 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!
Hedda Gabler
20 September, 2026
Just married. Bored already. Hedda longs to be free.
An Evening with Ricky Tomlinson - Retirement My Ar*e!!
25 September, 2026
Join us for a truly unforgettable evening in the company of one of Britain’s most iconic and best-loved entertainers, as Ricky Tomlinson takes to the stage for an intimate, funny, and revealing conversation about his extraordinary life and career.
Shot in the Dark Reloaded
24 October, 2026
Music Night Shot in the Dark, the good-time rock band from the 80s/90s are back in the saddle again!
12 Days
18 November, 2026 - 9 January, 2027
Our 2026 Christmas show '12 Days' is on sale now.
Christmas Tales
28 November - 29 December, 2026
It’s the most magical time of the year and the Tales team's time is almost up. Clumsy the Elf has lost the Code to the Christmas Safe.
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 | 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
