ThickSkin

Extraordinary stories told in unexpected ways. Wigan based touring theatre company.

11/09/2026

👻 IT’S BACK… AND THEY ALL SURVIVED. JUST.

Following a sell-out first tour, It Walks Around The House At Night is back - and tickets are in high demand (at affordable prices 😉).

Part ghost story, part psychological thriller, this is a haunted house story for a new era. Creeping dread. Dark humour. Unexpected twists. And a few seriously good scares.

Some venues are already SOLD OUT, so if you missed it the first time, don’t make the same mistake twice. 👀

But don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what audiences had to say…

The stage is set — for terror.

📍 Tour opens at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch
📅 24 September
🎟️ Tickets selling fast. Don’t miss out.

A ThickSkin Production
Starring and
Featuring the voice of Paul Hilton (he/him)

Writer Tim Foley
Director
Sound Designer
Video & Lighting Designer

08/09/2026

🚨 GENERATOR AUDITIONS ARE OPEN 🚨

Want in?

We’re looking for 10 fearless performers aged 18–25 from across the North West to join the Generator Company in Spring 2027.

🔥 Paid professional experience
🔥 Professional headshots
🔥 Industry advice
🔥 Rehearse. Perform. Make bold work.

AUDITIONS: 24–28 NOVEMBER
⚡ Places are first come, first served
⏰ Sign up by 17 November

Ready to show us what you’ve got?
Hit the link in our bio.

“One of the best experiences of my life.”
— Generator Performer

ManchesterTheatre

27/08/2026

📣 GENERATOR IS BACK 📣

We are looking for ten talented young performers aged 18-25 to join our Generator Company next spring.

Generator is ThickSkin’s ambitious company for young professional theatre makers, designed to launch the next generation of fearless talent. If you’re based in the North West and interested in a career in theatre, sign up to audition now.

Auditions
24 – 28 November 2026

Rehearsals & Performance
February & March 2027

+ paid job
+ professional headshots
+ advice about working in the industry

Ready to take the stage?

Click the link in our bio to sign up to auditions now!

‘ThickSkin love to experiment, reinvent and mash-up traditional storytelling with innovative styles’ ManchesterTheatres.com

‘I truly believe this was one of the best experiences of my life.’ Generator Graduate

Supported by Arts Council England, Wigan Council, Granada Foundation and Three Monkies Trust.

26/08/2026

📣 We are delighted to announce our new Jerwood Associate Artist is Ilona Sell, who joins the team next week.

Ilona will work closely with our Artistic Director and develop her own work during her time at ThickSkin.

A very warm welcome to the team, Ilona! We can’t wait to have you with us ❤️

This opportunity is made possible through support from Jerwood Foundation & Collection.

18/08/2026

BIG NEWS! 🎉

Our Creative Movement Workshops for people aged 60+ are coming back — and this time, we’re going bigger.

Following a brilliant pilot at our Wigan studio The Engine Room we’re delighted to have received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to continue and grow the programme.

And these photos pretty much sum up why. 👆

Movement. Creativity. Connection. Plenty of laughter. And a group of people throwing themselves into something new.

No dance experience. No drama experience. No getting it ‘right’. Just the chance to move, play, create and surprise yourself.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined our pilot and helped shape what comes next - and to National Lottery players for making the next chapter possible.

Want to join us? Details of the next workshops and how to sign up coming soon… 👀

Playful. Bold. Energising. Made for you.

06/08/2026

📣 NEWS!

Announcing our brand new Play Reading Group at The Engine Room.

Curious. Thought-provoking. Made for sharing.

Join us for our FREE monthly Play Reading Group, where we’ll read and chat about brilliant plays by local writers and ThickSkin collaborators. Along the way we’ll uncover new stories, ideas and perspectives — and sometimes the playwrights themselves will join the conversation.

Whether you’re a lifelong theatre lover or you’ve never picked up a play before, you’ll find a welcoming space to read, reflect and share ideas in relaxed, fun and friendly sessions. No theatre experience needed.

📅 First Tuesday of every month - Starting 6 October with Guest Playwright Tim Foley
🕖 7–9pm
📍 The Engine Room, Trencherfield Mill, Wigan, WN3 4BL

Expect conversation.
Expect community.
Expect to leave inspired.

Spread the word and sign-up. Link in bio.

25/06/2026

📣 We’re hiring: Jerwood Associate Artist

There’s not long left to apply to our Jerwood Associate Artist role: a six-month opportunity to work closely with ThickSkin’s Artistic Director Neil Bettles across a range of projects. Throughout this period, the Jerwood Associate Artist will also be supported to develop their own project/s and ideas.

We’re looking for a theatre-maker with:
✨ Touring experience
✨ Confidence leading devising work
✨ Experience with movement & physical theatre
✨ A passion for multidisciplinary theatre-making

This opportunity is made possible through support from the Jerwood Foundation.

This is an exciting time to join ThickSkin. To apply, please submit:

An up-to-date CV
A cover letter (max 3 pages) OR a 3-minute video addressing the selection criteria

Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 30 June
Interviews: 9 & 10 July via Zoom

22/05/2026

📣 We’re hiring: Jerwood Associate Artist

We’re delighted to announce our latest Jerwood Associate Artist vacancy: a paid talent development opportunity, working closely with our Artistic Director on ThickSkin projects and being supported to develop your own ideas.

We’re looking for a theatre-maker with:
✨ Touring experience
✨ Confidence leading devising work
✨ Experience with movement & physical theatre
✨ A passion for multidisciplinary theatre-making

This opportunity is made possible through support from .

Link in bio for job pack and application process

Deadline: 5pm, Tuesday 30 June

❤️

18/05/2026

📣 NEWS!

Announcing ThickSkin’s Creative Movement workshops for people age 60+ in Wigan.

We’re looking for Wiganers to take part in our brand-new FREE workshops for people over 60 at The Engine Room.

Led by ThickSkin’s Artistic Director and Generator graduates, these sessions invite you to explore movement and creativity in new ways – reimagining what it means to grow older.

This is about curiosity, creativity, and giving it a go in a fun, friendly environment. No dance or drama experience required. Through imaginative physical theatre exercises, you’ll build confidence, discover new ways to move and express yourself, and connect with others in a welcoming, social space.

Expect laughter. Expect movement. Expect to surprise yourself.

Spread the word and sign up via link in bio.

27/04/2026

'It's' back! And will be haunting audiences across the UK this Autumn.

Following a sell-out tour and London run, Tim Foley's chilling ghost story It Walks Around The House At Night hits the road again.

Snap up tickets while you Queens Theatre Hornchurch Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds Hull Truck Theatre Capital Theatres - Festival Theatre, Studio & King's Theatre Tron Theatre Norwich Theatre Belgrade Theatre, Coventry Northern Stage The Lowry Worthing Theatres and Museum Watford Palace Theatre

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A ThickSkin Production
Starring George Naylor and Oliver Baines
Featuring the voice of Paul Hilton (he/him)

Writer Tim Foley
Director Neil Bettles
Sound Designer Pete Malkin
Video & Lighting Designer Joshua Pharo
Set Design Neil Bettles & Tom Robbins

Address

The Engine Room, Trencherfield Mill, Heritage Way
Wigan
WN34BL

Website

http://www.thickskintheatre.co.uk/

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