Fireside Folktales Fringe

My theatre company, Shadow Road Productions, specialises in creating intimate, inventive, meaningful theatre for all ages – and performing it in unusual spaces: historic buildings, bell tents, hospitals, gardens, cancer centres, care homes, and community venues. We've worked with some brilliant partners over the years – from the National Trust and military charity Combat Stress, to Barnes Children’s Literature Festival and the London Wetland Centre – always aiming to bring theatre to everyone, not just those who can afford the West End.

Now, we’re launching an exciting new project: The Fireside Folktales Fringe – a weekend-long festival of classic stories reimagined, and performed in non-traditional spaces around Barnes Pond, SW13, on the 23rd & 24th May 2026.

Inspired by our own Fireside Folktales project – which casts four female actors in all roles and uses no tech, just some theatrical storytelling magic with live music and sound effects – this festival strips theatre back to what matters most: People. Stories. Connection.

In an increasingly tech-driven world (where AI avatars can replace actors, and ticket prices are soaring), we’re going back to basics. No headsets. No holograms. No elaborate lighting rigs. Just real humans, sharing powerful, age-old tales, face to face.

Shadow Road is proudly female-led, and our work actively rebalances the stories we tell and the roles we offer. The Fireside Folktales collection gave hugely talented women the chance to play characters such as Macbeth, Scrooge, Robin Hood, Hades, Zeus, Long John Silver, Jim Hawkins, and many others – and to see timeless tales through different eyes. This festival continues that mission: giving platforms to bold storytelling, diverse voices, and new perspectives on old favourites.

🌟 What Makes the Festival Special?

• Theatre in unexpected venues – no black box required
• Classic tales reimagined by today’s artists
• Affordable, accessible, community-led
• Intimate, immersive performances – connection over spectacle
• A hub for storytelling, creativity, and collaboration
  
  

🎭 Platforming Other Artists

We’re not just performing – we’re hosting! The Fireside Folktales Fringe is designed to give a real leg up to other creatives: solo performers, emerging companies, experienced teams trying something new. 

With just one weekend’s commitment, they’ll have the chance to showcase work in front of engaged audiences, receive reviews, win awards, and connect with peers and industry supporters – all without the stress and cost of a full-length tour or month-long Fringe run. We want to give people a joyful, professional platform to launch their next big step.

🚀 Why We’re Crowdfunding

This is a brand new festival, built entirely from scratch – and we want to do it properly, while keeping it inclusive and welcoming. Your support will help us cover essential costs like:

• 
  Venue and staging hire
• Insurance
• Marketing and printed programmes
• Producing fees
• Volunteer coordination and thank-you gifts
• Free tickets for charities, carers, and low-income audience members
• Free tickets for reviewers, so artists can gain feedback and visibility

Please back our Crowdfunding Campaign here:
 The Fireside Folktales Fringe Fundraiser

I started and have continued to run Shadow Road while living with multiple chronic illnesses – something I rarely talk about, but which gave me a clear goal: to create my own opportunities, and to help others do the same. Indeed, many of the Shadow Road team live with their own challenges – we have a long-standing history of working with disabled and neurodivergent artists, and that spirit of independence, compassion, and resilience is at the heart of everything we do.

If you can support us – by donating, sharing, or simply cheering us on – thank you from the bottom of our storytelling hearts. You’ll be helping us build something joyful, lasting, and meaningful. ❤️✨ And if you'd like to take part - as a performer, a volunteer, a sponsor, or in any other way - please get in touch via shadowroadproductions@gmx.com. We'd love to hear from you!

With love and thanks,

Emma & the Shadow Road team xx