The Royal Exchange’s mobile pop-up theatre, The Den, is making a highly anticipated return to Stalybridge Civic Hall here in Tameside, running every weekend from 9 May to 1 June 2025.
This year’s festival, titled The Den Festival: Exchanging Culture, Community and Creativity in Tameside, promises a vibrant mix of music, workshops, theatre, comedy, dance, drama, family activities, and more.
Festival Highlights
⭐ NO SUCH THING AS ORDINARY – A heartfelt play inspired by real-life stories from Tameside residents, performed by local community members. Following six characters, the play explores their connections to the borough’s history, community, and personal memories.
⭐ BEST MATES, TOP BINS & VENGA VENGA! – A special collaboration between the Royal Exchange, Tameside primary schools, and local writers Lekhani Chirwa and Lauren-Nicole Mayes. Directed by Tori Burgess, these plays aim to amplify children’s voices in Tameside, performed by a professional cast.
⭐ THE TAMING OF THE “SHREW” – HER Productions brings back their acclaimed take on Shakespeare’s divisive comedy.
⭐ Drumming Workshops & Grand Finale – Carnival arts group Global Grooves will lead drumming workshops each weekend, culminating in a joyful public performance to close the festival.
Jane Martin, Tameside Ambassador:
"Putting together the festival programme was a challenge, reflecting the diverse needs of Tameside’s nine towns. But the end result is something truly inclusive—offering something for everyone, no matter their background, age, or ability."
Cllr Leanne Feeley, Executive Member for Lifelong Learning and Culture, Tameside Council:
"We’re thrilled to welcome the Royal Exchange back to Tameside with this fantastic cultural festival. The Den Festival is a celebration of our community’s creativity and spirit. There’s something for everyone, and we encourage as many people as possible to come along and be part of it!"
Weekend-by-Weekend Guide
📅 Opening Weekend (10 & 11 May) – The opening weekend features circus skills, aninteractive pub quiz-cum-theatre showand lots of dance!
🥁 17 & 18 May – This weekendsees Grooves in the Den kicking off with the first of the drumming workshops, aplay all about Tameside and a day for Tameside Creatives.
🎭 24 & 25 May – See the work of budding young playwrights inTameside on this weekend, as well as HER Productions’ remount of their highly successful rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most polarising comedies.
🎤 Closing Weekend (31 May & 1 June) – A celebration ofthe festival’s achievements in a spectacular finale with a comedy night and the biggest Den show yet!
🔗 Full festival details and tickets:
Royal Exchange – The Den in Tameside 2025
