Casson & Friends

29/01/2026

This is the final part of Men Of Burnley, a short film made in Burnley by C&F, commissioned by Burnley Words Festival

We'd like to thank all of the community groups, organisations and venues that helped create this film!

The film was directed by Tim Casson, performed & co-created by Matthew Winston & Deepraj Singh, with music by Paul Rogerson, and Filming & Editing by Alisa Boanta

In this section, you’ll hear a recording taken directly from one of the conversations that took part during the week the group spent in the community. The dance in this final part is inspired by the emotions and reflections from everything in Part 1 & 2.

If you’d like to watch the film in full, you can do so on our website:

www.cassonandfriends.com/menofburnley

22/01/2026

We’re back with Part 2 of Men in Burnley, a short film we made with Burnley Words Festival

Earlier this year, we spent time in Burnley talking to men of all ages about everyday life, what they do, and what being a man in Burnley looks like today. Everything in the film comes directly from those conversations.

In this section, you’ll see the performers responding to recordings of those conversations as they speak, listening closely so the movement and words truly reflect the people they spoke to.

If you missed it, you can catch Part 1 in yesterday's post.

Like all parts of the film, it’s free to watch and free to share. If it resonates, please pass it on or tag someone who might want to see it.

If you’ve been affected by anything in the film, a list of mental health and support organisations is available on the Burnley Words Festival website. https://burnleywordsfestival.co.uk/men-in-burnley/

Part 3 coming soon!

Directed by Tim Casson, Performed & co-created by Matthew Winston & Deepraj Singh, with music by Paul Rogerson, and Film & Editing by Alisa Boanta

21/01/2026

This Monday was "Blue Monday", often described as the "most depressing day of the year", but conversations around mental health matter all year round.

Last year, Burnley Words Festival, commissioned us to create a short film asking a simple question: what does it mean to be a man in Burnley?

Today we’re sharing Part 1 - exploring what Men do in Burnley...

Directed by Tim Casson, Performed & co-created by Matthew Winston & Deepraj Singh, with music by Paul Rogerson, and Film & Editing by Alisa Boanta

30/09/2025

We are delighted that alongside our upcoming tour of Shed Stories, we’ll be running a series of workshops, starting with an open workshop in Stoke-On-Trent!

With our latest production, Shed Stories coming to the Fenton Town Hall Ballroom this Autumn; we invite you to take part, on the same day, in a workshop exploring our unique approach to turning conversation into choreography. 

Led by our Artistic Director, Tim Casson, this two-hour workshop is open to all levels of experience with movement and/or theatre, and will include a range of games and creative exercises, all providing an insight into how we create work.

Join the workshop and then come see the show:
🔹 Sat 11th Oct - STOKE-ON-TRENT | Fenton Town Hall with

Follow the link in our bio to the Shed Stories webpage, to find out more about our workshops, and to secure your place now 🕺🏾

27/09/2025

Casson & Friends presents: Shed Stories 🔨🔧

The rise of community spaces Men’s Sheds is explored in a performance combining theatre, movement and documentary. On tour across the UK this autumn!

Continue reading: https://www.onedanceuk.org/news/casson-friends-presents-shed-stories

24/09/2025

We're so excited to release the trailer for our new show, SHED STORIES, ahead of its UK tour this autumn! 🛠️

SHED STORIES is a new performance inspired by interviews with Shedders of all ages. The show combines compelling movement with human, humorous and heartwarming tales of making sawdust, friends, and cups of tea!

Men’s Sheds are community spaces where men can pursue practical skills including making and mending, but crucially offering a social space for men with similar interests to be together - rather than alone.

These spaces not only offer somewhere to develop and share skills, but build vital social connections and friendships that can improve mental health and reduce the risk of loneliness & isolation.

📍 Where you can catch SHED STORIES:

🔹 Sat 11th Oct - STOKE-ON-TRENT | Fenton Town Hall with Restoke
🔹 Tue 14th Oct - SOUTHEND | The Boundary (The Boundary) with Applause Touring & Garon Park Men's Shed
🔹 Wed 15th Oct - HOLBEACH | Holbeach Hub with Transported
🔹Thu 16th Oct - SURFLEET | Tonic 44 with Transported
🔹Fri 17th Oct - SPALDING | Spalding Sessions House (The Sessions House) with Transported
🔹Sun 19th Oct - LONG SUTTON | Long Sutton Men’s Shed with Transported
🔹Tue 21st Oct - BASINGSTOKE | Proteus Creation Space (Proteus Creation Space)
🔹Wed 22nd Oct - LONDON | London Bubble (London Bubble Theatre) with The Bubble Shed
🔹Thu 23rd Oct - LONDON | London Bubble (London Bubble Theatre) with The Bubble Shed
🔹Mon 3rd Nov - SOUTHAM | Galanos House with Royal British Legion
🔹Tue 4th Nov - HARROGATE | The Wesley Center with Harrogate Theatre (Harrogate Theatre)
🔹Thu 6th Nov - SHEFFIELD | University of Sheffield Drama Studio (Performance Venues)
🔹Fri 7th Nov - STOCKPORT | Stockroom
🔹Sat 8th Nov - ROCHDALE | Touchstones (Touchstones Rochdale)

Plus more to be announced...

Shed Stories is funded by Applause Touring, Lincoln Arts Centre & Arts Council England, and supported by UK Men's Sheds Association.

Find out more: https://www.cassonandfriends.com/sheds ✨

🎥 Alisa Boanta
🕺 Deepraj Singh & Matthew Winston

23/09/2025

We're so excited to be bringing Shed Stories to South Holland this October, check out the details in their post and we look forward to seeing you there! 🛠️❤️

SHED STORIES by Casson & Friends (2025) TrailerUniquely blending theatre, movement and documentary, SHED STORIES is a heartwarming performance that brings to...

11/09/2025

11/09/2025

We can't wait to be back in Stoke for at Fenton Town Hall with our friends Restoke - This October! (More tour dates coming soon!)

07/08/2024

Really looking forward to GROW! And bringing back The Allotment Project for a mini tour in Lincoln! 🌱

🌱 GROW is on the horizon this August 🌱

It’s time to clear your mind, and celebrate the wonders of what you can grow!

Join us for four FREE afternoons of inspiration and community, as we explore our connections with nature and sustainability.

All events are 1 - 4:30pm
📅 29th August 📍 GROW on Sudbrooke Drive
📅 30th August 📍 GROW at Liquorice Park (Liquorice Park )
📅 31st August 📍 GROW at Moorland (Voluntary Centre Services & Zest Theatre )
📅 1st September 📍 GROW at Whisby Nature Park (Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust & Whisby Nature Park )

🤩 We are thrilled to be joined by a lineup of talented artists, as we take a step back to think about what you can grow!
💃 Casson & Friends - ‘The Allotment Project’ and ‘Grow Your Own Dance’
🦉 Barmpot Theatre - ‘To the Moon and Back’, joined by Oxcombe Pottery for an 'Eco-Owl Making Workshop'

So whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just interested in the world around you, there’s something for everyone! Let’s grow together and celebrate our Earth! 🌏

06/08/2024

Excited to be taking ARCADE Mini to The Sidings with Creative Newhaven this weekend! 👾👾👾

Summer at The Sidings: Week 2 🌞

👉Friday 9 August: The Captain's Beard supported by The Dockside Barrel Scrapers and a silent disco!

👉Saturday 10 August: Arcade Mini by Casson & Friends and Middle Aged Rave for a day of family-friendly fun and games

With ABYSS Brewing pop-up and food from Specs and Bear and Crêpe de la Crêpe

⛱Summer at The Sidings is a free line-up of events coming to Newhaven throughout August!

27/07/2024

Our Lucy had a great time last week teaching a workshop inspired by The Allotment Project to 50+ Contemporary Dance Sheffield! Thanks for having us 👨‍🌾 💚