Professional theatre group to perform in a Methodist Church

A Methodist Church in Durham is preparing to welcome actors from Ensemble ’84 who will make their theatrical debut in a play considered one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written.

A Methodist Church in the Darlington district is to play host to a debut production of a play by a local theatre group, Ensemble '84. Mother Courage and Her Children by Bertolt Brecht starts its run in May at Horden Methodist Church.

The Methodist Church has played a vital role in Ensemble 84’s development. Horden Methodist Church was facing closure when, in December 2023, Revd Beverly Hollings and Revd Sally Coleman from the Castle Eden Circuit received an unexpected message from the theatre company who was looking for premises. The decision to allow them to locate there was unanimous, with the circuit maintaining ownership of the building and the congregation worshipping at neighbouring Methodist churches.

What made the partnership particularly successful was the alignment of values. Bev explains:"They have Methodist values such as valuing people, being here for the local community, seeking to enrich people's lives… Ensemble ’84 offers justice for people in a deprived community left behind after the mines closed."

Ensemble '84 was established in 2024, taking its name from the year of the miners' strikes that had a profound impact on pit villages across County Durham. The company's roots lie in Horden, historically one of Europe's major coal shipping centres, where mining heritage continues to shape community identity despite the physical evidence of that industrial past having largely disappeared.

"We want to shine a light on County Durham, particularly the East of the county, and bring hope to its communities," says Jodie Nicholson from Ensemble ‘84. "Horden is our home and we're very proud to be here. The ambition is high: we want to follow in Isango's footsteps."

The show has been created in collaboration with the acclaimed playwright Lee Hall (who wrote Billy Elliot) and members of South Africa's Isango Ensemble and promises to be a celebration of community, international collaboration and theatrical excellence.

Mark Dornford-May, the Artistic Director says, “Mother Courage is one of the greatest anti-war plays ever written, and in this new adaptation, we explore its relevance to communities who have lived through economic hardship and struggle here in the north east of England. By creating the work in this part of East Durham and through bringing in voices from South Africa’s Isango Ensemble, we have created a production that speaks across borders – one that unearths shared histories of resilience, sacrifice, and endurance.”

Before officially forming the company, Ensemble '84 held open days every Friday for several weeks, inviting residents to learn more about their plans. These sessions helped build relationships and established the company's focus on bringing arts opportunities directly to people's doorsteps.

After a thorough audition process that drew around 200 applicants, 15 performers were chosen for a six-month paid training programme. This is a unique opportunity in the theatre world, where training often requires a substantial financial investment from participants and relocation to the UK’s larger cities.

Thanks to support from Arts Council England, Durham County Council’s ‘Into the Light’ programme – a place-based partnership striving to nurture the cultural sector of County Durham and connect local communities with opportunities in the arts – Redhills Durham and UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Ensemble ‘84’s members receive a living wage to undertake world-class theatre training and help them build sustainable careers in theatre.

The company has already demonstrated their talents through a joint Christmas carol service with the Methodist community, where their unaccompanied Latin singing left the congregation awestruck. As Sally notes, "This is not amateur dramatics but a professional theatre company with serious ambitions."

Tickets are on sale for Mother Courage and Her Children at Horden Methodist Church from 14 to 24 May 2025 (2.30pm and 7.30pm performances). More information here.

Watch a film with Bev and Sally explaining the decision to hand the building over to Ensemble ‘84

Rev Sally Coleman and Rev Bev Hollings talk about the future of Horden Methodist Church