ThickSkin to Launch Community Participation Programme at The Engine Room in Wigan

Wigan's company ThickSkin has launched a new participation programme to be held at their development venue, The Engine Room. Beginning from summer, these new initiatives maintain the company's mission to opening their venue as a creative hub to all members of the community. ThickSkin are not only renowned for their acclaimed touring productions, but for their commitment to fostering emerging and established talent in the North West.

Located in Wigan's historic Trencherfield Mill, The Engine Room kicks off the participation programme with a series of free Creative Movement Workshops designed specifically for people aged over 60. In these workshops, local residents can explore movement, creativity and self-expression in a welcoming environment, with no experience of dance or drama required. Using imaginative physical theatre exercises, participants are encouraged to move and express themselves creatively.

The Creative Movement Workshops will be led by emerging artists from ThickSkin's Talent Development programme, making another step in the company's mission to champion developing creatives. This initiative also strengthens local community connections by fostering intergenerational relationships in a collaborative and accessible setting.

ThickSkin will also launch a new monthly Play Reading Group, open to all ages. This group will bring people together to discuss plays connected to the company's productions, as well as discover new work from local playwrights and collaborators including Rae Bell, Joseph Walsh, Tim Foley and Billie Collins. The Play Reading Group offers a welcoming social space designed to bring local residents together through theatre and conversation.

Rae Bell, Assistant Producer at ThickSkin, shares, “Since moving into The Engine Room, we've met so many local people who simply want to be involved — people curious to try something new, looking for connection, or wanting creative spaces that feel welcoming and accessible.

These workshops have grown directly from those conversations. They're not about getting things right or being a performer. They're about curiosity, laughter, movement and rediscovering playfulness. We want people to leave feeling energised, connected and proud of themselves.”

Alongside these new offerings, ThickSkin's Access to Local Theatre programme continues opportunities for local young people to engage with theatre. Over the last three years, the company has engaged with over 1750 young people, delivering free theatre tickets, travel bursaries, post-show discussions and workshops.

Co-Founder and Artistic Director of ThickSkin, Neil Bettles, comments, “The participation programme isn't separate from our theatre-making — it's an extension of it. The same creativity, collaboration and playful experimentation that goes into every ThickSkin production is now shaping opportunities for local people to get involved, make connections and experience the joy of creating together.”

These offers launch this summer, with further initiatives to be announced for 2026 and 2027.