In August 2019 the Den was built for the first time in Stalybridge Civic Hall to host the first Local Exchange Festival.
Celebrating Imagination over two weeks, THE DEN @ STALYBRIDGE CIVIC HALL included 17 performances, 4 workshops, a stakeholder event and an artist mixer resulting in 910 attendances across the festival days.
The first performance in THE DEN was A TAMESIDE STORY. It brought together four individual projects, that included 48 residents of Tameside to create performances reflecting their communities. Our 13 Tameside Ambassadors hosted this very special opening event introducing speakers, performances and the first screening of a film that they created to celebrate Tameside.
A Poem for Tameside
“Fabulous idea, thank you for supporting our lovely town with this innovative range of activities.”
Performances included THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT: SCENES FROM THE LUDDITE REBELLION, new Young Company show UTOPIA, three CO:LAB shows chosen by the Ambassadors, Stalybridge Old Band, a children’s show and The Story Den. The event also showcased Global Grooves, a carnival arts organisation based in Tameside, a playlist was created by the residents of Cavendish Mill and this Festival included our inaugural front of house training programme with a wonderful, passionate a group from the Tameside Women’s Centre.
“One of the best theatre feelings ever!”
“It’s a great experience. So good to see some fantastic theatre locally. A real boost for Stalybridge and theatre!”
