We’re thrilled to announce the success of our application to Arts Council England’s Project Grants in support of a major new three-strand project.

Don’t Leave Me This Way is a funny, moving, bittersweet new show which explores ageing, love, sex, and relationships through a semi-improvised theatrical wake, featuring a cast with a majority of performers aged 55+. In Spring 2027, the show will embark on a pilot tour to seven rural and community venues across the West Midlands — with buffet snacks included within the price of each ticket.

The show forms a special piece of action research within Little Earthquake’s much wider national inquiry, capturing and contextualising the experiences of older practitioners involved in small-scale touring.

At the end of the activity, in September 2027, we’ll publish a case study which will make recommendations for sector change which can better support those who want or need to keep working later in life.

Check back at the end of October when we’ll be launching an online survey as the first part of the inquiry!