Home Theatre Southampton

Home Theatre Southampton brought an internationally developed model of community-led theatre to the city, creating intimate, one-of-a-kind performances inspired by the stories and experiences of local people.

Originally developed by Olivier Award-winning theatre director Kerry Kyriacos Michael MBE with Brazilian director Marcus Faustini, the Home Theatre model has previously been delivered in locations including Brazil, London, South Africa and Ireland. In October 2024, Southampton Forward brought the concept to Southampton in partnership with Solent University and Kerry Kyriacos Michael.

The project brought together more than 100 participants and 33 creative professionals, including directors, theatre makers, stage managers and filmmakers. Eleven households from across Southampton became Community Hosts, sharing their stories, interests and experiences with local theatre makers. In response, each artist created an original performance as a ‘gift’ for their host, performed in their home for an invited audience of family and friends.

The result was 11 unique pieces of theatre rooted in the lives and experiences of Southampton’s residents, exploring themes including identity, friendship, family, belonging, imagination and the natural world.

Each performance was also captured on film, creating a lasting record of the project. In January 2025, hosts, creative teams, friends and families came together at MAST Mayflower Studios for a special screening of The Making of Home Theatre.