Great Things To Come

This month’s newsletter has a real ‘watch this space’ feel to it. Our theatre team are currently busy behind the scenes, planning the development of several exciting partnership projects, including Word/Play and Cultivate.

After such a busy and productive programme last year, we’re also taking some time to explore fresh ideas and develop funding applications that will help bring them to life. One thing we can say for certain is that plans are coming together nicely for this year’s Chill on the Hill, taking place at Ham Hill Country Park on Sunday 30 August 2026.

This relaxed, family-friendly festival celebrates nature, local food, arts, culture and community, with something for all ages to enjoy. As this summer marks our fifth Chill on the Hill, we’re working with our colleagues at Ham Hill to make this year extra special. Alongside performances at the Stone Circle, activity will also take place at the new Ham Hill Visitor Centre, which features a café, exhibition space and gallery. We’re also planning a colourful procession along the new accessible pathways linking the two sites, complete with drumming and circus performers.

There’ll be children’s activities including aerial skills, crafts and dance, alongside live performances throughout the day. As always, we’ll be looking to support local food producers and Somerset-based artists wherever possible.

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In other news, if you missed it in our last newsletter, Ged Stephenson is opening a new theatre venue in the small East Devon town of Colyton, near Seaton. Called Rough & Ready Theatre, it could well be Devon’s smallest theatre, with space for just 30 audience members.

Based in the cellar bar of the Colcombe Hotel, the venue will focus on performances without elaborate sets or lighting, just great shows, performed up close to an audience only a couple of feet away. Think of it as an intimate scratch space, with performers receiving 70% of the box office takings (tickets will be £10).

If you’re interested in performing there or would like to know more, please get in touch with g.stephenson@me.com. Ged is keen to showcase the very best of the southwest scene.

We’d also like to remind everyone about the Routes In resource, hosted by Taunton Brewhouse. Facilitated by Kim Burnell (Artistic Programme Co-Manager), and created in collaboration with several regional partners, this database is designed to help artists and companies connect with venues and support organisations across the southwest. It also includes a helpful glossary of financial deal terms commonly used by venues.

You can explore Routes In here: https://shorturl.at/4ntFD

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Next Newsletter

If you have something you’d like included in our next update (covering July and August 2026), please send your information via this link provided by 15 June 2026.

All good wishes,

The Take Art Theatre and Cultivate Team

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