Story theatre (playback theatre) is a form of applied and participatory improvisational theatre based on the thoughts, feelings and stories shared by the audience. The method was developed by Jonathan Fox and Jo Salas in New York in the 1970s. Today, playback theatre groups are active in over 70 countries around the world.

Typically, a playback theatre performance features four actors, a musician and a director on stage. The director asks the audience about various experiences and thoughts relating to a pre-agreed theme, and the actors act out short scenes based on these in the moment.

This method enables both individuals and groups to experience a sense of being seen, whilst also providing space for peer support. The story theatre method is suitable for use both around a shared group theme (such as those who have experienced violence) and for helping to resolve internal conflicts within a community. We have been staging story theatre since 2015, working with both organisations and businesses.

For each performance, we discuss with the client which themes would be particularly relevant for them to explore. Audience participation is voluntary; you can also simply listen and watch.