Forest Forge Theatre Company

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Forest Forge Theatre Company

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Finding the extraordinary in the ordinary since 1981! Professional touring theatre, Participation and Artist Development in the New Forest 🌳

21/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who came down to our Shed over the past few weeks to rehome so many costumes, props, sets and technical equipment. It was wonderful to meet so many creative people and we loved hearing where everything was going, from a tea trolley heading straight into a tech that afternoon to a box of sausages which became the inspiration for a scene change! We are so glad we could make it happen. 💚

17/10/2026

Spotlighting Imogen Usherwood, the recipient of our writers commission which ran earlier this year, delivered in partnership with . Imogen presented an extract of her play 'The Rufus Stone' at this year's festival just last weekend! 👏

Learn a bit more about Imogen and the play, and make sure to follow her on to keep up with her work.

"I’m a writer and director who was originally born in Shropshire, but did most of my growing up in the north of Hampshire. My work has been performed at venues including the Edinburgh Fringe, Minack Theatre, Hope Theatre, Mountview, and Durham Castle. I have just completed my tenure as the fourth Peter Shaffer Playwright-in-Residence at Trinity College, Cambridge.

The Rufus Stone is partly a story about stories - it looks at the death of William Rufus and other local legends, but also the late Victorian enthusiasm for alien invasion narratives following the publication of H. G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, and how a ‘rational’ world today can approach past mythologies. The play explores why such myths are created in the first place, and the question of what matters more: the truth, or the version of the truth we choose to tell.

It's a delight to be working with Forest Forge on a play so rooted in the county I’m from, whilst learning about all the folklore and legend that is particular to the New Forest."

15/10/2026

Our touring Theatre, the year 2000 and beyond...

The Forest Forge team have spent these past few weeks digging through the archives. We're sharing some of the photos and artwork we've rediscovered throughout the process. There are SO many gems. Here are some favourites.

If you remember one of our touring shows fondly and wonder if we still hold some photos for it in our digital archive, get in touch and we'll take a look!

14/10/2026

Our Touring Theatre, 1981 - 2000 💫

The Forest Forge team have spent these past few weeks digging through the archives. We're sharing some of the photos and artwork we've rediscovered throughout the process.

Our founder, Karl Hibbert, established Forest Forge as a professional theatre company that toured and served the communities of the New Forest and beyond since 1981. Since then, we've taken shows to schools, village halls, community centers and residential homes all year round.

There are SO many gems. Here are some favourites. If you remember one of our touring shows fondly and wonder if we still hold some photos for it in our digital archive, get in touch and we'll take a look!

28/09/2026

📣 We are at the point of our closure at Forest Forge where we're looking for new homes for our treasure trove of set, costumes, props and technical equipment. The dream is to rehome everything! And you are welcome to take a look.

How it will work:

👉 Our Ringwood storage unit will be available to visit on an allocated time slot basis, with priority of these being given to local theatre makers and schools. Ahead of visits, items will not be reserved, allowing it to run on a first come first serve system. SLOTS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.

👉 We will not be asking for the market price on any items, but a general donation, of which will go towards supporting the final closure of Forest Forge and donated to charity.

To find out more, the dates, and to book your slot, contact us on [email protected]. Come and see what you can find 💚

02/09/2026

Introducing Forge Ahead Commissions 📣

We're happy to announce the allocation of remaining funds to support local artists and organisations with grants of between £500 – £5,000.

Projects should deliver activity within one of our three areas of activity: rural touring theatre, participation/community arts participation, or artist development. We anticipate making 5 – 10 Forge Ahead Commission grants.

🌳 If you'd like to learn more or submit an application, visit our website: forestforgetheatre.co.uk/news

25/06/2026

Elevate is upon us!!!💫

Alongside our small team of theatre professionals, 24 students from local schools are here to create and tour a whole new show in two weeks... easy. SO much magic and joy in the studio this week as we open up this year’s theme of ‘Attitudes’.

And oh how grateful we are for aircon!

17/06/2026

It's been a complete delight looking through these photos from one month ago, when we were together for Tales from the Forge!!

As we head into the end of term here at Forest Forge, we've never been so grateful for the community we've built. Thank you.

See you soon for Elevate! 💫

03/06/2026

Some news from Lucy Phillips, our Co-artistic director.

After 45 wonderful years of creating and sharing theatre in the New Forest, Forest Forge Theatre Company will close in August 2026.

Since it was founded in 1981 Forest Forge has reached tens of thousands of audience members with joyful, compelling stories inspired by our home in the New Forest. It has supported and celebrated theatre making in the region through our playful touring work, an exceptional youth theatre, the unique Elevate project, successful wider participatory programmes and artist development opportunities. We are very proud of the work we have made and the impact we have had. We hope you have enjoyed it.

The cultural and economic landscape in which Forest Forge was founded no longer exists. Funding our work has become increasingly challenging. Our heritage, size and scope of our work mean that has been impossible to carve out a sustainable future that remains true to our original aims. By making this decision now, we will wind up responsibly with the time and space to manage the process carefully and in line with our values and legal responsibilities. As a solvent organisation, once our outstanding financial commitments have been met, the remaining funds will be redistributed to appropriate charities.

The trustees of Forest Forge are grateful to everyone who has worked with us over the years, from dedicated teams of staff and trustees to actors, writers, designers, participants and more. We are honoured to have served our community, and we hope you remember your Forest Forge experiences with affection.

We believe that good endings are important. Whilst this has been a difficult decision we are all in agreement that it is the right time and that sometimes we need to move aside to make space for something new. We look forward to cheering on other artists as they make and share theatre in the New Forest.

Thank you.

We have published this statement alongside some FAQs on our website, please take a look: https://www.forestforgetheatre.co.uk/news/

12/05/2026

Weekend plans sorted! Join us THIS SATURDAY, 16 May, at Carvers Ringwood for a festival of theatre for all ages 🌞🌳

⏰ Doors open at 1.30pm with performances running across the afternoon.
🎟️ Tickets start at £5.50.
👉 Book yours here: https://www.forestforgetheatre.co.uk/current-productions/

Address

Pintail House, Duck Island Lane
Ringwood
BH243AA

Telephone

+441425470188

Website

http://www.forestforgetheatre.co.uk/

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