Kook Ensemble CIC

During the financial year, the company created and toured Sand, an original theatre and circus production exploring dementia through the metaphor of coastal erosion. The production toured to 14 venues across the UK, including both main house theatres and rural touring venues, increasing access to high-quality performance work for diverse audiences and communities. The project was supported by the National Theatre’s Generate programme and Landmark Theatre, helping to strengthen regional touring networks and bring contemporary performance to areas with limited cultural provision. Alongside the tour, the company delivered five Memory Café events in partnership with Age UK and the North Devon Memory Café Consortium, engaging 277 memory café members, including people living with dementia, their families and carers. These events created wel-coming and inclusive spaces that connected local communities with theatres and cultural venues, helping to reduce isolation and encourage participation in the arts. Feedback demonstrated that attendees valued the opportunity to gather socially, share experiences and engage creatively in a supportive environment. The company also invested significantly in artist development, education and community engagement. Activities delivered during the year included: • Six creative workshops for local and emerging artists. • One career development workshop with a local gymnastics club. • Mentorship support for five emerging theatre and circus companies. • Work experience placements for four attendees. • Ongoing mentoring for a local circus artist who has since progressed to training at the National Centre for Circus Arts. In addition, the company delivered skills workshops for a local circus school to build partici-pant confidence and develop technical and creative abilities. The company also piloted new early years and adult circus programmes in collaboration with Our Circus, supporting inter-generational participation in the arts. As part of this initiative, the younger participants per-formed a curtain raiser at a Revel Puck performance of Ugly Duckling, providing children with valuable live performance experience and strengthening links between community par-ticipants and professional productions. Through these activities, the company continued to deliver meaningful cultural, educational and social impact, using theatre and circus as tools for inclusion, creative development and community connection.