Public Acts
Creating extraordinary acts of theatre and community
Public Acts is the National Theatre’s nationwide community programme which celebrates theatre as an act of community building. We work with theatres and community organisations across the country who share our vision of theatre as a force for change.
Since 2017 we’ve created shows with thousands of community members and professional artists. Our work is inter-generational and inclusive, defined by our core values of openness, generosity and courage.
We work in long-term partnerships, because we know the work is better when we’re learning from each other. We work responsively, because we know that no community is the same, and that things are always moving.
Our shows are a celebration and a provocation about who we are as individuals and communities, and what we can do when we come together.
Our shows
Public Record
Our latest show celebrating the musical life of Sunderland, created with over 100 community members for performances at the Fire Station in April 2025.
The Odyssey
A contemporary retelling of The Odyssey performed in five venues across the country, including the Olivier Theatre, to mark the fifth anniversary of Public Acts in 2023.
The Galley
An interactive installation of Odysseus’ ship which journeyed alongside The Odyssey, appearing in public places across the country throughout 2023.
The Doncastrian Chalk Circle
An epic musical reimagining of Bertolt Brecht’s classic, The Doncastrian Chalk Circle was performed by over 100 community company members at Cast in Doncaster in August 2022.
As You Like It
A contemporary musical adaptation of As You Like It, performed by over 150 community members at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch in 2019.
The Magic of Wild Heather
A community cabaret with food, music and storytelling, created by community members during the pandemic and performed at Cast in Doncaster in 2021.
Stories to Get Us Through
A storytelling podcast written and performed by the people of Doncaster, inspired by real life events and created during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.
The impact of Public Acts
The research into the impact of Public Acts projects has been led by Professor Helen Nicholson since 2017.
The reports have found Public Acts to be a powerful catalyst for social change, not only bringing a profound and positive impact to the individuals taking part but also to our community and theatre partners.
Public Acts is a change-making programme. There is clear evidence throughout this report that taking part in Public Acts is a catalyst for change, bring positive benefits to people, places, and theatres. Our recommendation is that high quality inter-generational, community-focused programmes are valued as a central part of each theatre’s repertoire and programme.
It is only through innovative local, regional, and national community-based programmes, of which Public Acts is a leading example, that the theatre industry can hope to achieve radical inclusivity. Public Acts has a significant role to play in leading a national movement for change, where theatres can become spaces for everybody.
– Extract from the research report
Public Acts values everybody as individuals – making a show that’s so personal to everybody is why we kept coming back – so genuine – real community.– London Community member, August 2023
It’s that feeling of being part of something, and belonging – making a positive contribution and being acknowledged and valued for your skills.
– Restoke Community member, March 2023
Our partners
1. Stoke-on-Trent
Restoke, Stoke-on-Trent
2. Doncaster
Cast, Doncaster
National Theatre, London
b:friend
Cast Young Company
Changing Lives
Conversation Club
darts
Edlington Community Organisation
Right Up Our Street
3. Trowbridge
Trowbridge Town Hall, Trowbridge
4. Sunderland
Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire
Fire Station
Sunderland Nigerian Families Group
Back On The Map
5. Greater London and South Essex
National Theatre, London
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Outer East London and South Essex
Bromley by Bow Centre
Body & Soul
Coram
DABD
Havering Asian Social Welfare Association
Open Age
Thames Reach
Trybe House Theatre
The Faith and Belief Forum
Our cameo groups
Alongside our community members and professional artists, our shows feature local ‘cameo’ performance groups who represent the cultural breadth of the community we are working with.
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The respect I was shown made me realise I was worthy of respect, and it has changed something at my core.
– Odyssey Company Member, 2023
It’s amazing to feel so connected in such a big busy city against the backdrop of a disconnected world. It’s defiant. It’s saying: actually no, this is the world we see, and this is a taste of what it can be.
– London Community member, 2018
Our funders
Theatre Nation Partnerships is generously supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund and Garfield Weston Foundation.
Public Acts is supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Fund, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The CareTech Charitable Foundation, Garfield Weston Foundation, Mosawi Foundation, The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust and Susan Miller and Byron Grote.
Find out more about supporting our work
The Public Acts team
Emily Lim
Director
Ros Terry
Senior Producer
Lara Taylor
Producer
Amy Sutters
Coordinator (on secondment)
Jock Maitland
Programme Coordinator
If you would like to get in touch with the Public Acts team please email publicacts@nationaltheatre.org.uk
The Odyssey photos © Brinkhoff-Mögenburg
As You Like It photos © Camilla Greenwell
Pericles photos © James Bellorini
The Doncastrian Chalk Circle photos © Robling Photography
The Magic of Wild Heather photos © Sam Taylor