Walk in Your Shoes / Doorstep Theatre

An actor stands talking to a seated audience in a community garden

During the summer of 2021 we hit the road on a new adventure called, ‘Walk in Your Shoes’.

Audiences were invited to join us as we journeyed from Hexham to Spittal, walking over 126 miles of St Oswald’s Way across beautiful Northumberland. It was a new way for us to connect with audiences after Covid-19 and introduce theatre safely in gardens and outdoor spaces with ‘Doorstep Theatre’.

“It was lovely to have someone come and perform on our doorstep, it's really lovely to have something so personal and feel part of a community.” Longhoughton audience member.

“It brought people together after a long period of isolation. It got me thinking about community and arts and culture, and ways of delivering theatre in the future.” Walker.

“Walking with a group of people who were together for a common purpose; good conversation, a shared experience, a sense of being part of history with the people who have walked that way in the past.” Walker.

Filmed By Jason Thompson

The Experience

During Walk in Your Shoes we stopped at eight communities along the walk to deliver a unique piece of ‘Doorstep Theatre’, performed in gardens and on doorsteps of residents. Audiences booked in groups of 6 or as two households/bubbles. This fresh, contemporary, one-person production challenged the mythology of Northumberland, creating a new narrative for the here and now.

There’s word that a miracle has happened up at Heavenfield. Is Saint Oswald (AKA the original King of the North) back? Make sure you don't miss out on the hottest tickets, and t-shirts in town!

Doorstep Theatre was only available to communities on the route of the walk. We performed in people’s back gardens, in a church hall, in a pub garden, in the garden of a business, as part of a wider outdoor show and on people’s doorsteps. 388 people saw the show.

Our walks were open to walkers of all abilities to join us at various stages along St Oswald’s Way, our walks varied from 3 - 12 miles and we had over 60 people join us. Walkers were invited to share stories of Northumberland past and present, meet November Club and find out more about our plans for the future.