SHOWS IN WIGAN

The ThickSkin Story

ThickSkin is Wigan's very own award-winning theatre company.

Founded in 2010 and making a home in Wigan since 2023, we're bringing world-class, pioneering, affordable new theatre to local audiences.

We'll be creating and launching all our shows here in Wigan with local people, before touring across the UK and beyond - bringing Wigan to the world.

There'll be opportunities for you to get involved, including performances, workshops, apprenticeships and more!

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Visit our main site for more info here.

About Peak Stuff

Peak Stuff is a brand new play by northern playwright Billie Collins (award winning playwright and writer for the BBC's Malory Towers)

Alice is done with fast fashion.

Ben can't stop buying trainers.

And Charlie just wants to sell out...one organ at a time.

In an age of retail therapy, climate crisis and click and collect - how does our 'stuff' define us? And have we reached peak stuff?

Directed by ThickSkin's Artistic Director - Neil Bettles, who also directed Frantic Assembly's The Unreturning, was choreographer for Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and the International Associate for the global hit-show Harry Potter & The Cursed Child.

This event has now passed, but keep your eyes peeled for more shows soon.

Schools offer for Wigan

As the Artistic Director of ThickSkin Theatre, I’m delighted to be creating and presenting our new show, Peak Stuff, in our hometown. ThickSkin were lucky recipients of the New Play Commission Scheme last year, through which we commissioned one of the most exciting, fresh voices from a new generation of playwrights – Billie Collins. We’re sure you’ll agree that Billie’s work speaks directly to your students. Peak Stuff uses one performer and multiple stories to chip away at the role consumer culture has to play in coming-of-age and its impact on our sense of identity and choices.

Along with £1 tickets and travel bursaries, we’ve created an exciting package of free workshops, post-show discussions and learning resources to support the show. We want to build a new generation of theatre audiences right here in Wigan and we can’t wait to share our work with you. I hope you'll join us!

Neil Bettles

Artistic Director of ThickSkin

FREE WORKSHOPS

Devising & Physical Theatre Workshops delivered in your school for GCSE and A Level students. Led by an experienced ThickSkin Artist, the workshop will encouraging students to create and develop ideas to communicate meaning for theatrical performance. This supports students to develop their own material and become confident with devising.

EARLY BIRD OFFER - FREE FOR FIRST FOUR SCHOOLS. Click here to book.

TRAVEL BURSARIES

Travel Bursaries are available on a first come first served basis for groups booking 10 or more tickets to see Peak Stuff at The Edge in Wigan. Up to £50 per school for the first eight groups.

EARLY BIRD OFFER - UP TO £50 FOR FIRST EIGHT GROUP. Click here to book.

POST SHOW Q&A'S

FREE Post Show Discussions will take place after each show in Wigan. These discussions offer audiences a deeper insight to the creative process, the story and subject matter. You and your students will be able to ask questions directly to the artists who created Peak Stuff.

We also offer Zoom Q&A's with members of the creative team direct to your classroom for a nominal charge.

CLICK HERE TO ENQUIRE.

RESOURCES

We’re developing a range of FREE digital learning resources that can be accessed through our online channel, ThickSkin TV.

This includes a behind the scenes documentary film, creative tasks, and a deep dive into the creative process. These resources help develop an understanding of how theatre is made and performed. You'll find other creative content with inspo and ideas for the classroom.

CLICK HERE FOR THICKSKIN TV

This programme of work is supported by Wigan Council, Arts Council England and Unity Theatre Trust.

Peak Stuff is a ThickSkin Production. Commissioned by ThickSkin and Lawrence Batley Theatre.

Supported by Shakespeare North Playhouse. Winner of the New Play Commission Scheme.

ThickSkin is an Artsmark Partner.