Ensemble ’84 Announces its Next Production ‘Pits, People and Players’ as a Tribute to its Home of Horden

Ensemble ‘84, a pioneering theatre company based in Horden, County Durham, has announced the dates for its next production, Pits, People and Players, in August, in celebration of Horden’s 125th Anniversary and a tribute to its heritage.  

Following their acclaimed adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s, Mother Courage and Her Children, earlier this spring, a bold reimagining that drew audiences into a raw and urgent encounter with war, survival, and humanity, Ensemble ‘84 returns with a brand new work that turns its attention closer to home, with the power of place, the endurance of stories, and the necessity of hope at its heart.

Developed and performed in Horden Methodist Church, the heart of the community becomes the stage once more for a piece that dives deep into the story of Horden itself — a village forged in coal, carved by industry, and transformed by change.

With its all County-Durham cast embedded in much of the research, this new, devised show is rooted in the lived experience of local people and crafted from a tapestry of testimony, memory, and imagination. Poetic, political, and deeply human, it explores Horden’s rise as a pillar of the UK’s industrial might – with Horden Colliery setting a European record for coal mining in 1930 – and the painful unravelling that followed the pit closures in 1987, a seismic loss that has reshaped both place and people. 

But this isn’t just a story of decline. Ensemble ‘84 aims to honour the communities and landscape it resides in, and to make a new mark in Horden’s history – one of regeneration, change and hope. With care and candour, the production looks ahead to a future marked by shifting demographics, new challenges, and a fierce desire for renewal. It asks vital questions about identity, belonging, and the meaning of community in a changing world.

Blending theatre, storytelling, and music, Ensemble ‘84 brings a uniquely local yet universally resonant voice to the stage — a continuation of their mission to make theatre with and for the communities they work in. Ensemble ’84 is part of Into the Light, a county-wide place-based collaboration designed to drive long-lasting growth in County Durham. It aims to cultivate talent, widen access to creative education, enhance the skills of the cultural workforce, and break down barriers to working in the creative industries. 

Pits, People and Players will premiere in Horden, East Durham, this August.

Mark Dornford-May, Artistic Director of Ensemble ’84 said, “This show is not just about history — it’s about heart. ‘Pits, People and Players’ is a work of love and fierce pride for Horden, created from the stories, scars, and dreams of its people. We’ve taken the poetry of the everyday and turned it into theatre that’s rooted, raw, and resonant. At a time when communities like this are too often overlooked, this piece reclaims space for voices that matter. It’s a celebration, a reckoning, and above all, a tribute to the power of people and this place.

Julia Handelman-Smith, Into the Light Director, said, “We’re proud that Ensemble ‘84 is bringing this remarkable production to life as part of Into the Light. ‘Pits, People and Players’ is a shining example of how local arts can reflect national conversations — about community, resilience, and the stories we choose to carry forward. It’s a testament to the talent and vision in County Durham, and a powerful reminder of the role the arts play in regeneration, connection, and belonging”.  More information about Into the Light can be see at  Into the Light – Culture Durham

Pits, People and Players is devised by the company and directed by Mark Dornford-May.

To book tickets see Pits, People and Players — Ensemble ‘84

Note age restriction advised: 12+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)

Performances:  19, 20, 21, 22, 23 August at 7:30pm, matinee on 23 August at 2.30pm

Tickets: £5 for preview (19th August);  £18 all other performances, with concessions £8

Box office: www.ensemble84.com/pits-people-players / 0191 524 2578

Running Time: 90 minutes