History

Our History

In 1974, musician and composer Jo Collins met teacher and director Mary Ward. Sharing a belief that everyone should be able to perform and create, they set up a theatre company. Initially based in local church halls, they asked a local benefactor and landowner (and fan!) if there might be a space free on her land for the company to use as its base – and history was made with the kind offer of a disused chicken shed!

The company grew as more and more members began to join, buying in to the collective passion and enthusiasm for the power of community theatre. And then, in the early 1980s, a young boy with cerebral palsy took part in a Chickenshed production. “If we’re open to everyone,” asked Chickenshed’s teenage members, “then why is there no-one else like him?”

Mary and Jo saw that the way forward for Chickenshed must be one of true inclusion, and by embracing this ethos wholeheartedly the next phase of Chickenshed’s development began.

Mary and Jo were joined by John Bull, who became Chickenshed’s first Managing Director, and whose pioneering work on integration took Chickenshed to the next level: Jo, Mary and John had created the world’s first truly inclusive theatre company.

Chickenshed was going from strength to strength with record contracts, CDs, West End shows, TV spots, high-profile trustees such as Judi Dench and Trevor Nunn. But more – so much more – was yet to come.

In the late eighties, Chickenshed was lucky enough to meet Lord and Lady Rayne – and Lady Rayne became president of the company. And it was thanks to her that Chickenshed got a very special patron indeed: Princess Diana, whose zest for Chickenshed’s message of hope shone through in spectacular fashion.

The next big step came in the early nineties, when Lord and Lady Rayne continued to work tirelessly to create a permanent home for the company, until in 1994 Chickenshed was able to move into its own purpose-built theatre in Southgate, North London.

Soon Chickenshed embarked national tours, which delighted audiences of over 5000. We were showing the nation what it meant to be inclusive. Soon we would be working on a global scale.

In 1997, Chickenshed saw the vital need to expand its ground-breaking inclusive model into the field of education, and began to run at first BTEC courses, then to offer Foundation Degrees, with finally the ability to deliver full Bachelor of Arts Degree courses.

In 2011, Chickenshed launched a new branch in Kensington and Chelsea to expand the company’s ability to offer the same life-changing opportunities in an area of London with the widest disparity between life chances and choices.

Mary and Jo have received much acclaim for their work in creating Chickenshed, including two MBEs, appearances on This Is Your Life, Creative Briton Awards, Snowdon Awards, Honorary Doctorates… but the biggest reward comes in seeing what Chickenshed has become.

Now a major force for change, Chickenshed continues to grow. Many of those early Chickenshed travellers are still with us, and many have moved on, leaving a wonderful legacy but all taking with them the belief in the power of inclusion to change the world for the better.

And – of course – many more have joined us along the way. Each and every one of them – member, supporter, performer, friend – is a testament to Chickenshed’s artistic and social impact. Lives have changed. Lives will still be changed. We’ll keep shining the spotlight on what really matters.

Latest

Health and Safety Officer

We are looking for an enthusiastic and confident team-player to join us in the property and procurement department at Chickenshed. This role is responsible for administering and maintaining robust Health and Safety policies and procedures, and deliver a comprehensive, high quality Health and Safety service to the company.
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Blank Page for Spektrix redirect Bounce Avoidance
Adult Theatre Kensington and Chelsea (Ages 18+)
Chris de Pury

Shed Talks - It's a Kind of Magick

Theatrical magic, special effects, the power of illusion, and perhaps some theatrical superstitions... Well it is Friday 13!
Shed Talks - Sympathy for the Devil

Members of the creative team describe the process of staging Chickenshed's production of Doctor Faustus.
Doctor Faustus

Written by Christopher Marlowe, this is the timeless tale of a man who is prepared to sell his soul to the devil in return for incredible power.
Survivors

Funded by the National Lottery of Wales, Survivors is a long-term outreach project working with victims of domestic abuse throughout Wales.
Set up a Shed

An inclusive theatre training programme to help organisations and individuals establish their own inclusive theatre groups.
Outreach

Theatre has the power to transform lives. Our diverse and talented team of practitioners travel across London, the UK and the world to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience Chickenshed for themselves.
Donate
Your Support Matters

As the world around us seems to become increasingly divided, Chickenshed gives us a glimpse of how different things could be. Through inclusion, equality, diversity, and creativity, we can change perspectives and broaden horizons.
Facilities

Studying at Chickenshed gives you hands-on experience in a real theatre and the high-calibre, professional resources that keep it operating as an exciting, inclusive theatre company.
What is Inclusive Theatre?

We want to break down the barriers between people, and create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. We bring people together who would otherwise never meet, never get to know each other.