Ensemble 84 - Mother Courage and Her Children

Great cultural work happens at the edges: between local and international collaboration, grassroots authenticity, and global ambition. We’re not interested in the neatly defined boxes or familiar comfort zones. More interesting for us is the ability to create connections that disrupt conventional narratives and demonstrate why genuine place-making matters just as much as bold, boundary-crossing initiatives.

This month, we’re highlighting our collaboration with Ensemble 84, as they prepare for their inaugural production, Mother Courage and Her Children.

A bit of background:  Ensemble 84 is a newly established theatre company based in Horden, County Durham. It began as a spark—ignited through a longstanding partnership with Isango Ensemble – and grew during County Durham’s bid for UK City of Culture 2025. Together, we asked an important question: could a model of performance in training and skills development that succeeded in Cape Town, South Africa, be adapted effectively to County Durham? Could local individuals, who traditionally face barriers to accessing professional theatre, receive training and support to develop their craft and become part of a professional ensemble? Given the stark lack of opportunities available in the North East, was it possible to reimagine how theatre could function differently in 2025?

Ensemble 84 was born, supported by Durham County Council, Redhills and East Durham Trust and through investment through the county’s Place Partnership. The vision was clear and straightforward: conduct open auditions, select local individuals, pay them properly to undergo comprehensive training, base within a community and develop world-class, professional productions that create meaningful connections both locally and globally. Over twelve months, we have recruited 15 local people, established a base within a old Methodist Church, undertaken partnership building  - and now the ensemble's first production is ready to meet audiences.

Lee Hall is perhaps best known for his work for global screen or stage. His adaptation of Mother Courage and Her Children would typically be at a venue like the Royal Opera House, London or The Factory, Manchester. By deliberately placing it at Horden Methodist Church, the home of the company – this company boldly challenges conventional assumptions about where cultural excellence is presented and who can access it. To add a further international dimension the production is combining Ensemble 84 members with performers from South Africa’s Isango Ensemble - uniting that sense of local and global. This is a production that seeks to find links between places and people, connects the familiar with the unfamiliar, and make expectations to make a tangible difference. All possible by taking risks, embracing global partnerships and rooting in an area for the long term.

This work takes place against a stark and shifting political backdrop, where Horden, like much of the North East, has experienced profound political realignments—moving away from the historical Labour strongholds to embrace new forms of political engagement. Within this challenging context, projects like Ensemble 84 become more critical than ever. While Ensemble 84 cannot singlehandedly resolve all of Horden’s challenges, it can significantly impact perceptions and experiences. It offers proof that hope and possibility exist when communities collaborate, embrace diversity, and commit to positive change.

Mother Courage and Her Children opens on 16th May and runs until 25th May.