Anticipating Chickenshed’s RISE Festival, 20-21 February 2026 by Mary-Ellen Dyson
Anticipating Chickenshed’s RISE Festival, 20-21 February 2026 by Mary-Ellen Dyson
On Friday 6th February, I had the opportunity to attend a sharing event in preparation for Chickenshed’s RISE Festival on the 20th and 21st of February.
The RISE Festival is a platform for brand-new writers to showcase their developing work. Now a part of Chickenshed’s BA programme, it offers its young performers an opportunity to step into the other side of the theatrical process, developing their writing, direction and backstage skills in a supportive environment. It’s a crucial part of their formation into fully-rounded creatives.
The evening was packed with performance. There were eleven pieces in total, with each given seven minutes to present an extract to an audience of industry professionals. Each piece was led by a writer-director, who spoke to us beforehand about their piece’s inspiration, themes and aims. The use of media and technique varied widely, from stage to film, from music to dance, from monologue to dialogue. There were plot-driven dramas, conceptual performance pieces, and even comedy sketches. Some shows felt very complete, others like they were at a very early stage in their development; the RISE Festival develops them all. We were asked to provide feedback that might help the creatives to develop their shows – the breakneck pace of the night made this a test of my scribbling skills – and I’m really curious to see how the creatives will respond to the audience’s comments.
Chickenshed is a theatrical company like no other. It has emphasised inclusivity ever since its inception fifty years ago, and offers performance opportunities to all, especially those who would not have thrived in a traditional environment. It offers the theatrical equivalent of cradle-to-grave support, from brand-new performers as young as five to seasoned performers who have participated since its foundation. Chickenshed’s full-time courses, including its Foundation Degree and BA in Inclusive Performance, are now cornerstones of its offering, providing unique training for young performers. Chickenshed advertise themselves as a family and, speaking to the RISE Festival’s creatives, this ethos is truly lived out; many told me how they never want to leave!
The RISE Festival showcases early-stage theatrical ideas. It’s an opportunity to spot potential and discover dramatic talent. If we still want to have theatre in thirty years’ time, we have to cultivate this generation’s talent now. Young performers need opportunities to try out ideas, develop their craft, discover what works and learn from what doesn’t. The RISE Festival offers this beautifully.
I’m looking forward to returning in two weeks’ time to see the festival’s final product. I’m excited to see how their performances will develop, and, hopefully, discover the stars of the Chickenshed of tomorrow.
The RISE Festival is on at the Studio Theatre at Chickenshed, 290 Chase Side, London, on 20th and 21st February 2026.
Photo credit: Elia Criscuoli