This spring, we welcomed Stowaway Theatre to our city-centre Barnfield Theatre for a week of Research & Development (‘R&D’) on their new family show Cluck, as part of our Elevate artist development programme, designed to support South West artists in taking their next steps.
What is Elevate R&D?
As part of our Elevate programme, we offer South West artists the opportunity to receive a week of space in the Southernhay Room at the Barnfield Theatre, and a £500 contribution towards costs for the week. Artists are also invited to end the week with a work-in-progress sharing if that is useful for their creative process.
Find out more about Elevate R&D
Elevate R&D is our strand of work that puts space and money straight into artists’ hands with an emphasis on process and play over output. I’m thrilled we can support Lizi Bennett and Stowaway Theatre as they create their latest show Cluck. Innately theatrical, great music, and a headless chicken — it’s no surprise their proposal jumped off the page and we can’t wait to see the full production of it in the future.
Sam Parker, our Artist Development Producer
Who are Stowaway Theatre?
Stowaway Theatre is a female led actor-musician theatre company based in Devon. Formed in 2023, they create exciting actor-musician theatre inspired by historical true stories that have either been lost, forgotten or just haven’t had the platform they deserve. Their debut show 40 Elephants had its first performance at the Barnfield Theatre in early 2024, with support from Arts Council England. They are keen to continue growing their shows and company with the aim of bringing high quality actor-musician theatre to the South West and beyond.
Find out more about 40 ElephantsLizi, the founder and artistic director of Stowaway Theatre, is an Exeter-based actor-musician with a BA in Drama from the University of Exeter and an MA in Actor-Musicianship from Rose Bruford College. In addition to being the founder and artistic director of Stowaway Theatre, she is co-artistic director of Boots and Moon, a theatre company creating shows for younger audiences with a focus on music and puppetry.
As well as a performer, Lizi is a seasoned writer, facilitator and prop/puppet maker. She has worked regularly as a performer, musical director and co-creator with many theatre companies in the South West including Stiltskin, Four of Swords, Angelheart Theatre, and Pocketwatch Theatre Company.
What were they working on?
During their R&D week, Stowaway Theatre focused on their exciting new family show, Cluck. It is a family friendly actor-musician show inspired by the true story of Mike the headless chicken — a chicken from 1940s Colorado who lived for 18 months without a head! Featuring live music, puppetry, and lots of audience interaction, Stowaway Theatre are aiming to develop this show to tour round festivals, hopefully in 2026.
At the end of the week, Stowaway Theatre presented extracts from Cluck to an invited audience, who then offered them constructive feedback. As well as laughing and learning a lot, the audience very much enjoyed getting stuck into the interactive elements of the show, including a group dance.
Huge thanks to the Exeter Northcott for awarding us this R&D week! It was so useful for both us as a company and the development of the piece to have a whole week dedicated to playing with the show in such a supportive environment. The feedback that we received from the showing on the final afternoon was also excellent in helping shape the piece, particularly since it relies on a lot of audience participation — you don’t normally get the benefit of being able to test those elements at this early stage of development.
Lizi Bennett, Stowaway Theatre Founder & Artistic Director
Local theatre makers can join our free Elevate membership to stay in the loop about future opportunities, including the next open call-out to apply for Elevate R&D.
Join ElevateSUPPORT OUR WORK WITH ARTISTS
If you like what we’re doing, please consider donating to support our work with artists. We are a charity and every donation helps!
You May Also Like