Grief, betrayal and revenge. The search for truth carries a deadly cost....
Tickets are on-sale now for our next production!
Join us for a striking new staging of ‘The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Shakespeare’s First Quarto' - a shorter, rarely performed version of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Told with striking differences in structure, dialogue and character names, the story unfolds with compelling theatrical energy, combining powerful storytelling with live music, song and movement.
A kingdom is unsettled. The King of Denmark is dead, his brother now wears the crown, and Prince Hamlet is left grieving - and suspicious. When the ghost of his father appears with a terrible revelation, Hamlet is drawn into a dangerous quest for truth and revenge. As secrets unravel and loyalties are tested, the royal court becomes a place of spies, deception and growing madness. Hamlet must decide how to act in a world that no longer feels certain.
Directed by Mark Dornford-May and performed by our all-County Durham cast in our immersive venue, The Playhouse in Horden, Shakespeare’s gripping tale is staged once more, providing a fresh perspective on the familiar story.
📍 The Playhouse, South Terrace, Horden, County Durham, SR8 4NQ
📅 Dates: May 26th – June 6th, 2026
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM (Evenings), 2:30 PM (Matinees) (7pm, 28th May)
⚠️ Advisory: May contain flashing lights, loud music and strong language.
🎟️ Tickets £10-20 (Age restriction advised 12+) → Book now (link in bio) or call 0191 300 4340
Don’t miss this extraordinary production. Join us at The Playhouse in Horden from 26th May – 6th June
#Hamlet #Shakespeare #Ensemble84 #CountyDurham #WhatsOnDurham #NightOutDurham #LiveTheatre #SupportLocalTheatre #BookNow #GetYourTickets #DontMissOut #LimitedTickets #Horden #NorthEastEngland #DurhamTheatre
WE WON! We are thrilled to have won all three of our shortlists at this year’s @ne_culture_awards !
🏆 Newcomer of the Year: Ensemble ‘84
🏆 Performance of the Year: Ensemble ‘84 and @isangoensemble - Mother Courage and Her Children
🏆 The Arts Council England Award: Ensemble ‘84
Congratulations to our incredible cast and team, and to our South African family @isangoensemble for sharing this with us - what a way to celebrate our first 12 months as a company! ⭐️
#necultureawards2025 #NECultureAwards #northeasttheatre #IntoTheLight #ensemble84 #horden #durhamtheatre #newcomeroftheyear #performanceoftheyear #ArtsCouncilEngland #MotherCourage84 #Ensemble84 #IsangoEnsemble #DurhamTheatre #LiveTheatre #CountyDurhamTheatre #NorthEast #UKtheatre
Tickets are selling fast for @ensemble84 ’s The First Quarto – The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet — and it’s not hard to see why.
In a moment where questions of truth, power, grief and uncertainty feel ever more present, Hamlet lands with a particular poignancy. But this is not the version most audiences know.
Drawn from the rarely performed First Quarto text, this staging offers a different rhythm, a different voice raw, direct, and strikingly immediate. There is no shortage of Hamlet in the world, but there are very few like this.
Created in Horden, by a company that continues to redefine what theatre can be and who it is for, this is work that feels both rooted and resonant — local in its making, international in its ambition.
If you’ve been meaning to book, now’s the time. Don’t miss it.
#ensemble84 #hordentheatre #thirdversioncreative #theatreproduction
In Hamlet, it is said, "Those friends thou hast, and their adoption tried. Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel" Which is the simple idea of holding on to the people who show up, the ones you can rely on.
As we get closer to opening our new venue, relying on our friends has mattered a lot. People have stepped in, helped out and helped us get things done.
A very big thank you to Horden Together SB Scaffolding, East Durham College and to all of our other friends who continue to help us along the way.
@s.b_scaffolding
Horden Together
@eastdurhamcol #teamworkmakesthedreamwork #horden #hordentogether #countydurham #thankyou
If you're thinking of joining us for our next production - The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, here are some quotes from the amazing reviews we received for our first two performances: Mother Courage and Her Children and Pits, People and Players.
Thank you for all of your support so far on our journey. Tickets are available at the link in our bio.
#Hamlet #Shakespeare #Ensemble84 #CountyDurham #Durham #WhatsOnDurham #ThingsToDoDurham #NightOutDurham #Horden #Peterlee #Seaham #Easington #VisitDurham #WhatsOnNorthEast
Two years ago, @ensemble84 was an idea within a City of Culture bid. Today, it is ‘𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘳𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘒‘ The Guardian
In Horden, a former church has become a new creative hub. A company has grown from ordinary people doing extraordinary things — reshaping narratives of place and possibility.
As conversations begin again around the next City of Culture longlist, this stands as a reminder of what those moments can seed — not just bids, but lasting change.
To mark their second anniversary a new production:
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐭
A bold, urgent staging using the rarely performed First Quarto text. Live music, movement and powerful storytelling bring fresh energy to a timeless story of grief, betrayal and revenge.
This is International work. This is local impact. And still, this is only the beginning.
A new look for Ensemble '84
This image, taken by the formidable Keith Pattison, captures us as we are now. Some faces you will know. Some that you are meeting for the first time.
We are proud to welcome new members into the company. They bring fresh energy, new ideas and a shared belief in what we are building here in County Durham.
At the same time, we have said goodbye to a few of our own. That is never easy. They leave as part of this story. Award-winning ensemble members.
This is what an ensemble is. It shifts. It grows. It carries people with it.
Jennie, Erin and Balder step forward in our next production. Hamlet. Their first time on stage as part of Ensemble ’84.
If you'd like to support our ensemble in their next production, you can get tickets from the link in our bio.
#Hamlet #Shakespeare #Ensemble84 #CountyDurham #Durham #WhatsOnDurham #ThingsToDoDurham #NightOutDurham #NorthEastEngland #SupportLocalTheatre #Horden #Peterlee #Seaham #Easington #VisitDurham #WhatsOnNorthEast
On the Spotlight podcast this week is Brodie Jobson - an actor with @ensemble84 - an Into the Light project which is transforming the community in Horden ✨
He talks about the amazing journey he’s been on, the people he’s met along the way, the learnings and world-class training he’s had, and the pride he has in the area he grew up and has lived all his life.
From a Horden boxer and qualified personal trainer, to a professional actor working for an award-winning theatre company - Brodie shares his tips for others, and gives us a preview of what’s coming up from Ensemble 84...
You can listen on YouTube or Spotify - see the links in our bio 🔗
Big thank you to Durham Sixth Form Centre for producing the podcast, and our brilliant hosts / former DSFC students @alexg_journo & @cliddellmediamaker
This could be you! One week left to apply to join our company as a performer.
We're looking for up to 5 individuals from County Durham to join our ensemble, with paid training and performance opportunities from February 2026 until July 2026. By joining Ensemble ‘84, you will be part of a dynamic ensemble committed to creating bold new theatre for the 21st Century, which may include our next production!
Who We’re Looking For
- Performers of all ages (must be over 18 on or around the 1st February). There is no upper age limit and we encourage those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s 60s and beyond to apply.
- Based in County Durham - have a County Durham postcode or live within a 10 mile radius of Horden. If you are unsure, ask us before you apply.
- Be able to commit to attending from February 2026 to July 2026 for workshops, creation and performances.
You don't need previous experience to apply, just a passion for performing and willingness to undertake training, with a view to become a professional performer within a year.
Apply now via our website ensemble84.com/vacancies. Deadline Monday 2nd February, 12pm
Images by the wonderful Keith Pattison.
#horden #countydurham #theatrelovers #theatre #Ensemble84 #CommunityTheatre #IntoTheLightDurham #artscouncilengland #artscouncilsupported #durhamculturecounty #northeasttheatre #northeastarts #countydurhamuk #northeastuk #artsopportunities #jobsnortheast #artsjobs #creativejobs #theatrejobs #jobvacancies #currentvacancies #opencall
Open Call 📣 We are seeking up to 5 individuals to join our company as performers!
Are you interested in theatre? Based in County Durham? Looking to develop your skills and become a professional performer? We would love you to apply.
This is a paid opportunity for you to develop your talents, collaborate on groundbreaking projects, and contribute to productions that resonate with both local and global audiences. By joining Ensemble ‘84, you will be part of a dynamic ensemble committed to creating bold new theatre for the 21st Century, which may include our next production in early Summer.
Who We’re Looking For
- Performers of all ages (must be over 18 on or around the 1st February). There is no upper age limit and we encourage those in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s 60s and beyond to apply.
- Based in County Durham - have a County Durham postcode or live within a 10 mile radius of Horden. If you are unsure, ask us before you apply.
- Be able to commit to attending from February 2026 to July 2026 for workshops, creation and performances.
You don't need previous experience to apply, just a passion for performing and willingness to undertake training, with a view to become a professional performer within a year.
For full details and how to apply, visit our website ensemble84.com/vacancies. Deadline Monday 2nd February, 12pm
#horden #countydurham #theatrelovers #theatre #Ensemble84 #CommunityTheatre #IntoTheLightDurham #artscouncilengland #artscouncilsupported #durhamculturecounty #northeasttheatre #northeastarts #countydurhamuk #northeastuk #artsopportunities #jobsnortheast #artsjobs #creativejobs #theatrejobs #jobvacancies #currentvacancies #opencall
Merry Christmas from all of us at Ensemble '84!
It's been an incredible year for us. Thank you for sharing it with us being part of our journey ❤️ We hope you have a lovely holiday season and look forward to seeing what 2026 brings!
The heritage, the history of Horden! Our latest production ‘Pits, People and Players’ was an ode to the place we call home, Horden - a pit-village steeped in history and a wealth of memories, testimonies, articles and songs to mark 125 years since the sinking of the first shaft at Horden pit.
From January, our cast were embedded in researching Horden from 1900 to present day and transformed real events into moving, powerful theatre. We spoke to local people, scoured the internet, newspaper articles, books and more to build a production that not only reflected Horden’s resilience and experiences, but also looked forward to a future filled with hope and honour.
We thank all who shared their memories and stories with us, and to you for joining us and generously sharing what this production meant to you.
📸 Wonderful production images by Keith Pattison.
#PitsPeoplePlayers #Ensemble84 #NorthEastTheatre #DurhamTheatre #LiveTheatre #IntoTheLight #CountyDurhamTheatre #Horden #KeithPattison #Theatrephotography @intothelightdurham@aceagrams@durham_county_council@culturedurham@thirdversion.creative
