At Tobacco Factory Theatres, we believe that stories shape us. They teach us who we are, challenge our perspectives, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves. That’s why our in-house work is built around three cornerstones of theatre: Opera, Shakespeare, and the retelling of classic fairy tales at Christmas. These works are not relics of the past; they are vibrant, urgent, and deeply relevant to the world we live in today.
Why do we keep returning to the classics?
Because they are the foundation upon which new voices are built. Because they help us understand the present and imagine the future. Because, when performed with passion, reinvention, and inclusivity, they don’t just belong to history—they belong to everyone, right now.
Opera: Emotion at Its Purest
Opera is storytelling at its most visceral. It speaks in a universal language of music and movement, transcending words to capture the raw essence of human experience—love, loss, triumph, rebellion. In an era of fast-paced content, opera reminds us of the power of slowing down and feeling deeply.
At TFT, we strip away the distance and spectacle often associated with opera, placing audiences thrillingly close to the action in our in-the-round space. We invite new audiences to discover its emotional force, making it accessible and immediate, especially to those who may have never considered it for them.
Shakespeare: A Mirror to Ourselves
Shakespeare’s plays pulse with the rhythms of real life—power struggles, moral dilemmas, love, laughter, and grief. His words still crackle with urgency, offering a mirror to our society and a lens into the complexities of human nature.
Performed in-the-round, Shakespeare at TFT is alive, intimate, and electric. We are committed to unearthing fresh interpretations that speak to today’s audiences—recasting the narratives, reclaiming voices, and rediscovering the radical power of these plays.
Christmas: Reimagining Fairy Tales for a New Generation
Every winter, we reimagine a classic fairy tale—not just as festive entertainment, but as a way of re-examining the stories we tell young people. Who gets to be the hero? What lessons do we pass down? How do these stories evolve with us?
Our Christmas productions are an opportunity to ignite imagination from the cradle upwards. They are where many children have their first encounter with live theatre—a moment that can shape a lifetime of creativity, curiosity, and confidence.
Inspiring Future Generations & Theatre Makers of Today
By championing classical works, we give emerging artists, designers, musicians, and theatre-makers a living, breathing foundation on which to experiment, innovate, and redefine what theatre can be. These works offer a bridge between past and future—a space where history, tradition, and radical reinvention collide.
At TFT, we don’t just stage these works; we invite artists and audiences to interrogate them, challenge them, make them their own. Whether it’s a young person experiencing Shakespeare for the first time, a musician discovering the raw emotion of opera, or a child finding their voice in a Christmas tale that reflects their world—these stories have the power to inspire.
And that’s why they still matter.
Posted on 21 May 2025
