We are delighted and thankful to hear that our work in Cambridgeshire is going to be supported over the next two years by a new Arts Council England National Lottery Touring Grant.

This means we will be able to reach more children and families across a wider range of communities in the Greater Fenland region. Our Yurt will tour schools, fields, castles and parks through 2026 and 2027, connecting with over 3000 students and young people who would otherwise not have the opportunity to see, hear and engage with live theatre.

Once again we will be working with the fantastic team at the Wisbech & Fenland Museum, along with the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, to co-create stories with children based on historical artefacts. These artefacts include some of the latest findings from the extraordinary dig at Must Farm, a Bronze Age archaeological site, dating from 950 BC.

The Co-creation workshops with school children will begin in November this year, where school pupils will be given the chance to develop creative writing skills and write stories inspired by the artefacts – these stories will then be made into a new professional show – Once Upon a Time in Fenland.  The new show will begin to tour in May and June 2026. We can’t wait to get started.

On Once Upon a Time in Fenland:

“I am excited to widen and deepen our connection to wider region of the Fens. We can bring the learning and trust from our previous work, and add new challenges, artefacts and stories with confidence to co-create a special process and show.”

Michael Judge, Associate Artistic Director NIE

On Legends of the Fen 2024:

“Seeing the production in the Fens, with children from the area, highlighted the added value gained by creating and telling stories with a community. On each mention of a familiar town or object, I sensed a deepening connection to the production, and I would hope, the child’s sense of place.”

Michael Corley, Deputy Director Learning (Interim), Fitzwilliam Museum