THE MIGHTY BOOTH
About
A TINY, IMMERSIVE theatre experience built from stories, fandom and everyday magic.
The Mighty Booth is a one-to-one theatre experience. You step inside a small space and are guided through a story shaped by local people’s lives, memories and fandoms.
It’s being created with communities across County Durham and it’s all about the things we love and how they shape who we are.
Inside the Booth, you’ll encounter fragments of real lives. Hobbies, rituals, obsessions and everyday magic. Stories that might feel familiar, surprising or quietly extraordinary.
A small space, full of big worlds.
At a glance
Type: Immersive theatre / installation
Currently: In development
Location: County Durham
Format: 1:1 / small group experience
CREATIVE TEAM & Collaborators
Concept & Creative Direction
Melanie Rashbrooke
Co-created with
Communities across County Durham, including participants at Trimdon Station Community Centre and Blackhall Community Centre
Producer
Steven Blackshaw
Designer & Collaborator
Alastair Flindall (Neck of the Woods)
Production Manager
Craig Spence
Theatre Makers & Collaborators
James Barton & Steven Blackshaw
Workshop Facilitation
Melanie Rashbrooke, Steven Blackshaw & Alastair Flindall
Photography & Film
Von Fox
Community Partners
Blackhall Community Centre
Trimdon Station Community Centre
Funders
No More Nowt
Arts Council England
With thanks to
Everyone who contributed to Fandom and shared stories, ideas and inspiration that continue to shape The Mighty Booth
Where it began
The Mighty Booth has grown out of our earlier project Fandom, created with Men’s Cree groups across County Durham as part of No More Nowt’s Untold Stories programme.
That work explored hobbies, passions and the things people love — and the Booth is a way of bringing those stories into a more intimate, immersive space.
If you look closely, you might spot those roots in the design. Echoes of pigeon crees. Old record shop listening booths. Small spaces full of stories.
How it’s being made
The Mighty Booth is being created with communities across County Durham. In places like Trimdon and Blackhall, we’re running hands-on sessions where people can make, experiment and shape the Booth together.
Some are designing how it looks and works. Others are sharing stories, memories and objects that might live inside it.
It’s still evolving, and every workshop, conversation, cup of tea and slice of cake shapes what it’s becoming.
We’re sharing little glimpses of that process as we go.
See what we’ve been up to →
i could write a story on a feather’s wing
— Eddie, Blackhall Rocks
The Story so far…
You might start to notice the kinds of things that find their way into the Booth.
Fragments. Stories. Little worlds people carry around with them.
You might find yourself in the middle of a line dancing morning. Not getting all the steps right, and not really caring. Or in the quiet focus of a tai chi session, moving together in rhythm.
There are teacup stories shared over brews and bikkies. Small moments that don’t always get written down anywhere. We’ve heard about pigeon racing, allotments, crafting, music.
And then there’s Meccano. Proper Meccano. And we’ve been firmly told we’re not allowed to mention that other four-letter word.
You might stumble across collections you weren’t expecting. Rows of gnomes. Giant Swatch watches.
And this is just a starting point.
The Experience
“Because you know Da, once these stories are gone, they’re gone” — Harry, 94
We’re still figuring out exactly what The Mighty Booth will become. Right now, we think it’ll be something like this…
Part listening booth. Part living archive. Part time-travelling machine. Part theatre.
A small space you step into, where stories and secrets are held, shared and brought to life. A place to listen. To watch. To remember. And maybe, leave something behind.
Inside, you’ll encounter fragments of other people’s lives. Voices, objects, moments, things we don’t want to lose. Things that might otherwise disappear.
Each visit will be a little different. You might choose where to go, what to listen to, what to open, what to follow. The Caretaker is there to guide, but the journey is yours.
It’s intimate, curious and it keeps growing.
Meet the caretaker
At the heart of it all is the Caretaker. The keeper of stories. The one who looks after the Booth and everything inside it.
Part host, part performer, part storyteller, part listener. They’ll guide you through the Booth, helping you find your way, gently steering you towards things you might want to discover.
They take their role very seriously.
Every story needs the right conditions. Some need warmth. Some prefer a bit of quiet. Others like to be taken out and aired every now and then. A few need careful handling. And one or two have a tendency to wander.
The Caretaker keeps a close eye on all of it. Checking everything is where it should be. That nothing gets lost. That nothing fades.
They know the secrets of the Booth. What’s tucked away. What’s waiting to be found. What might suit you.
They’ll help you choose your path. Or perhaps gently nudge you towards something you didn’t know you were looking for.
GET INVOLVED
Got a story, a hobby, something you love or something you haven’t done in years but still think about?
We’d love to hear it. The Mighty Booth is still growing, and every story shared helps shape what it becomes. If you’ve got something to share, especially if you’re from County Durham or have a connection to the area, we’d love to hear from you.
How’s about the smallest line dancing disco in the world?
— Alison, Blackhall
