Horse + Bamboo

Horse + Bamboo is a multi-arts community venue, situated in the heart of Waterfoot, Rossendale.  Established in 1978, the company began as a horse-drawn touring puppetry and mask theatre, taking stories across the UK and beyond.   Today, they are flourishing as a vibrant theatre company and venue that maintains a clear sense of purpose and serves the community of Pennine Lancashire by programming theatre, music and participatory events and creating contemporary, high-quality pieces of theatre that delight both adults and children alike.

Horse + Bamboo hosts regular family theatre productions from visiting companies, cinema, music and workshops for all ages.  The venue is open every Friday night from 18:00 and frequently hosts local music, open decks nights and workshops in the bar.  It is also home to a unique archive of 40+ years of puppetry, mask and processional work by the company, as well as providing space and resources for emerging and established artists across Rossendale.

Horse + Bamboo plays host to the annual 10-day Waterfoot Wakes Festival, that brings free activities and performances out into Waterfoot, as well as a yearly parade through the town.

As well as the venue and new productions, Horse + Bamboo has two other main strands of work.  Baby Boo; sensory baby sessions delivered in Waterfoot and across Rossendale, funded by The Granada Foundation; and Making A Change; creative workshops delivered in north west prisons to increase literacy, funded by Halley Steward and Bromley Trust.

Horse + Bamboo is an Arts Council funded National Portfolio organisation.
Creative Development Director: Esther Ferry- Kennington.
Executive Producer: Jenn Trethewey

Pay What You Can
All events at Horse + Bamboo have Pay What You Can tickets available.  This means that you can donate any amount for your ticket.  Whilst ticket prices are listed against all of the events, PWYC tickets are available for all events, whether booking online or walking in.  This is so that everyone is able to attend and enjoy the events.  Regardless of what you pay to attend an event, online boking in advance is advised wherever possible.  Concessions and career tickets are also available.

Accessibility
Horse + Bamboo is a wheelchair accessible venue.  Entrance, theatre and toilets are all ground floor.  If you need a wheelchair seat reserving for any performance, you can request during the online booking process. If you have any questions about accessibility or any specific access needs, please get in touch directly to discuss.  

Parking
There is free street parking to the front and rear of the venue.  The building can be accessed from front or via the back garden, during performance times.  Both entrances are ground level and there are no steps.

Families
There is an age to family performances as a guide, but appreciate that many families have older or younger siblings and we welcome them to attend, even if a performance isn’t advertised for their age group (unless stated that the content is not suitable for a younger audience).

Horse + Bamboo is a relaxed venue.  For all shows a relaxed approach to noise and movement in the theatre is adopted.  Audiences are free to come and go from the theatre space during a performance as they need to.  Whilst lights will dim, the lights will not be ‘complete blacked out’ so that the seating bank, entrance and exit points in the theatre are always visible.

This might be your child’s first theatre experience and that every child reacts differently.  A space where you can leave the theatre to play and read until you’re feeling brave enough to go back in is available.   Mothers who wish to breast feed in the café are welcome and can also provide a space should you want privacy.  Baby changing facilities within the ladies toilets, as well as within unisex accessible toilets, are available.

Doors open one hour before every family event for a free making activity which links to the performance you are about to enjoy.  This is a great opportunity for children to explore different ways of making as well as something to take home from the day.  Should a performance coincide with time for prayers, the venue can provide a private room just before or just after the show.  Please ask a member of the Horse + Bamboo Front of House team who will happily help.