Supported by

theatre, documentary & dance combine to celebrate men’s sheds and the communities around them.

Shed Stories will be a new performance from Casson & Friends, inspired by interviews with Shedders of all ages. The show will combine compelling movement with human, humorous and heartwarming tales of making sawdust, friends, and cups of tea!

WHAT are 'MEN’S SHEDS’?

Men’s Sheds are community spaces where men can pursue practical skills including making and mending, but crucially offering a social space for men with similar interests to be together - rather than alone. These spaces not only offer somewhere to develop and share skills, but build vital social connections and friendships that can improve mental health and reduce the risk of loneliness & isolation.

ABOUT THE production

Shed Stories will be a 60 minute full-length duet for 2 male performers, that has a self sufficient technical setup, allowing us to bring high quality performances to rural, community and unusual spaces - even to Men’s Sheds.

Using Casson & Friends’ unique approach of turning ‘conversation into choreography’, the performance will be created through a series of visits, workshops & residencies at Sheds, Arts and Community Spaces in Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Essex, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire and North Yorkshire in late 2024/early 2025.

Interviewing & co-creating with shedders, shed organisers and other experts, will create a performance that is authentic, celebratory and helps to raise awareness of the importance of these spaces - even generating new shed members! 

The show follows on from The Allotment Project and PREPPERS, and is the next in a series of co-created performances that shine a light on the importance of community in the face of an increasingly isolated society.

timeline

• August to December 2024: Visits to Sheds & Interviews with Shedders

• January to March 2025: Creation Residencies & Rehearsals

• April 2025: Preview Performances & World Premiere

• Autumn 2025 onwards: Touring & Other Activity

technical information

The show is in development, but we currently anticipate the technical information will be as follows:

• 60 min Full Length or short Extract performances available

• Presented ‘in the round’ with an approx 4x6m performance area

• Can be presented in theatres, village halls, community spaces and unusual spaces

• Touring Team: 2 performers + 1 crew

• Same day get-in (approx 2-3h)

LONGER TERM PLANS

We anticipate that the process of creating the performance will also uncover potential for further engagement, health & wellbeing, and performance opportunities developed in consultation with shed organisers, shedders and creative partners locally and nationally.

Working with our partners including Applause as part of the creation of this performance, will act as a ‘pilot’ programme that aims to look at how the Men’s Sheds network can be used in future to engage communities with the arts in unexpected, joyful and meaningful ways.

get involved

Are you a shed, rural touring scheme, community or arts organisation interested in the project? Get in touch using the button below!

our partners & collaborators

• Choreographed by Tim Casson in collaboration with the performers

• Created & Devised with Matthew Winston & Deepraj Singh

• Commissioned by Lincoln Arts Centre & Applause Rural Touring

• Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England

• Created with additional support from: UK Men’s Sheds Association, Peterborough Presents, Metal Peterborough, Made With Many, Harrogate Theatre, Rural Arts, Black Country Touring

• Sheds we have visited include: 

• The Shed @ Collingham

• The Beacon Shed (Benfleet)

• Thundersley Men’s Shed (Benfleet)

• KHL Community Workshop (Corby)

• Sunnyside Men’s Shed (London)

• Long Sutton Men’s Shed

• Long Sutton Youth Shed

• Men’s Shed at Green Back Yard (Peterborough)

• Yaxley & Farcett Men’s Shed

• Ripon Men’s Shed

• Harlow Hill Men’s Shed (Harrogate)

• Garon Park Men’s Shed (Southend)

• (This list will be added to as the project develops…)

who are casson & friends

Casson & Friends have been running since 2012 and are well known for making small scale professional performances that tour to theatres and community spaces, with an emphasis on reaching people who wouldn’t usually see performance - especially not dance!