Elevate Associate: Stowaway Theatre

About 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. They are proud alumni of Rose Bruford College (MA Actor-Musicianship) and University of Exeter (BA Hons Drama).

Image of three performers stood on stage. The image is taken from behind, with the auditorium chairs in the background. The performers are turned so they face the camera. The performer on the left holds an acoustic guitar, the middle performer holds an accordion and the right performer holds and acoustic guitar.
Close-up of Lizi Bennett, an actor-musician wearing a black t0shirt with a silver necklace smiling at the camera.
Photo by Lillie Sherry

Company Members

Lizi Bennett: Founder, Artistic Director and Performer (pictured)

Lizi is an Exeter based Actor-Musician and Theatre-maker who has worked regularly with many South West companies. She is also a prop and puppet maker.

Marina O’Shea: Producer and Performer

Marina O’Shea is a creative producer, performer, comedian and writer with over 18 years’ experience working across theatre, comedy, events, and digital content.

Primrose Bigwood: Performer

Primrose is a West Country and London based actress, working across both film, TV and the South West stage.

Other performers the company have worked with: Evie Wright, Ava Ralph, Jo Brown, Aidan Casey, Jon Dyer and Andrew Armfield

We look forward to making connections and becoming more involved in the brilliant community of artists and theatre makers that are here in the South West. The Northcott has been a huge part of our theatrical journey so far, and has been a great support in the development of our current work. We are excited to see where we can go next in our aim to bring exciting actor-musician work to the South West and beyond.

Lizi Bennett

Stowaway Theatre’s Work

40 Elephants

Stowaway Theatre’s debut show 40 Elephants follows the rise and fall of the eponymous female-led crime syndicate. The show began development as part of Exeter Northcott’s Artist Futures programme in 2022 and had its first performance at the Barnfield Theatre in early 2024, with support from Arts Council England.

Read more about 40 Elephants

CLUCK!

Originally developed on Exeter Northcott’s Elevate R&D in 2025, CLUCK! is an original musical inspired by the true story of a chicken who lived for 18 months without a head. The family show made its stage debut on the main stage of Barnfield Theatre as part of Elevate Festival in October 2025.

Read about Stowaway Theatre and Elevate R&D

The Dame Show

Developed in collaboration with Yet to Be and Small Acorn Productions, The Dame Show is a theatre piece dressed up as a traditional TV game show, inspired by true stories of women’s health. The show debuted with a Work in Progress on the main stage of Barnfield Theatre as part of Exeter Northcott’s Reclaim Festival in June 2026.

Three women popping up from behind a row of theatre seats. Each is wearing a wig and suits with large bow ties. Text reads: 'The Dame Show'.
Photo by Ben Kapur
This is just a sample of Stowaway Theatre’s work so far, which we are delighted to support. You too can support our work with artists by donating below.

Support 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!

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