After 45 wonderful years of creating and sharing theatre in the New Forest, Forest Forge Theatre Company will close in August 2026.
Since it was founded in 1981 Forest Forge has reached tens of thousands of audience members with joyful, compelling stories inspired by our home in the New Forest. It has supported and celebrated theatre making in the region through our playful touring work, an exceptional youth theatre, the unique Elevate project, successful wider participatory programmes and artist development opportunities. We are very proud of the work we have made and the impact we have had. We hope you have enjoyed it.
The cultural and economic landscape in which Forest Forge was founded no longer exists. Funding our work has become increasingly challenging. Our heritage, size and scope of our work mean that has been impossible to carve out a sustainable future that remains true to our original aims. By making this decision now, we will wind up responsibly with the time and space to manage the process carefully and in line with our values and legal responsibilities. As a solvent organisation, once our outstanding financial commitments have been met, the remaining funds will be redistributed to appropriate charities.
The trustees of Forest Forge are grateful to everyone who has worked with us over the years, from dedicated teams of staff and trustees to actors, writers, designers, participants and more. We are honoured to have served our community, and we hope you remember your Forest Forge experiences with affection.
We believe that good endings are important. Whilst this has been a difficult decision we are all in agreement that it is the right time and that sometimes we need to move aside to make space for something new. We look forward to cheering on other artists as they make and share theatre in the New Forest.
Thank you.
Why is Forest Forge Closing?
Forest Forge is closing because we cannot find a way of generating enough income to pay for the work we want to deliver.
We are fortunate to have received funding to support our work, but it is getting increasingly difficult to secure the level of funds we would need to continue. As a charity that cares deeply about accessibility, we are not prepared to increase fees to a level that would make enough of a difference.
We have looked at lots of options but the only way to make the company financially viable would involve reducing our work to an extent that we would no longer be recognisable as Forest Forge. Too many changes would also risk our ability to deliver our obligations as a charity.
Our three strands of work (touring theatre, participation and artist development) are so deeply linked that to reduce or remove any one of them would have an irreversible impact on the others.
How long have you known that Forest Forge will close?
The decision to close was made in April 2026. Since then, we have been working to make sure that we can close well. This will take some time, and we are determined to get it right.
We have known for some time that our financial model was not sustainable and since 2023 we have been taking steps to address this.
Have you run out of money?
No. Forest Forge has significant reserves thanks to careful financial management by the team over many years.
Whilst we do have available funds, continuing to operate would reduce these to an extent that would put at risk our ability to manage a closure well. It would be irresponsible to continue to operate knowing this.
Who made the decision?
The decision was made by our board of Trustee Directors. Information was provided by the staff team to help inform the decision.
We are now taking appropriate financial and legal advice as we move towards the closure.
Could this have been avoided?
We don’t think so. Decisions at Forest Forge have always been made based on the available information at the time, and by people with the correct level of responsibility and knowledge.
Whilst we could have developed a different business model and plan, we think this would be so far removed from what the company was designed to do and the things we care about that it would no longer be Forest Forge.
What happens now?
We will continue to deliver all our projects and work until August 2026. This includes participation running throughout the summer term, the Elevate project and Act Your Age’s involvement in Ringwood 800.
We close all public-facing activity in August 2026.
From September a small team will be involved in managing the final closure. We expect to remove ourselves from the Charities Register and dissolve the company in autumn 2026.
What will happen to any money left over?
As a charity any remaining funds will be donated to another charity with similar objectives. We are working with professional advisers to manage this process in line with all legal requirements.
What will happen to the team?
Thank you for asking. Our team understand the situation and have been part of the decision.
Unfortunately, we will need to make some staff redundant. We are taking legal advice, but the trustees are determined to do all they can to support everyone well.
Lucy will continue to work for Forest Forge until the closure. Until the summer she will be focused on delivering all our work as planned. From September she will be focused on the closure.
Sophie Fullerove, a cultural consultant, has been engaged to work with Lucy and to help manage the closure. Sophie has a long history with the company having been our General Manager, Interim Executive Director and a trustee at various times. Lucy and Sophie will manage the closure on behalf of the trustees.
Kealy left us in April. She resigned before the decision was made. Producer Jemma Corbin will work with us over the next few months to cover Kealy’s role.
Jo is currently on Maternity Leave. The decision to close was made before her leave began and we are in touch with her regularly. We ask that, if you know Jo, you please don’t contact her about the closure news in the coming weeks. We would like to protect her “baby bubble” as much as possible. Thank you for understanding.
What will happen to the Sets, Props, Costumes and the Van?
If you’re asking this question, you must know just how much stuff Forest Forge has! Over the next few months, we will be working to dispose of everything responsibly. We want to see as much as possible go to good homes or be recycled. We need to balance this with our obligations to protect our funds to pass on. If there is anything you know we own that you’d be interested in buying, please do send an email to Ellie@forestforgetheatre.co.uk. We won’t be able to respond immediately but knowing that we have people interested will help us plan how we will empty the buildings.
Can I do anything to help?
This is a kind offer, thank you. We don’t need any help, but we are grateful for the offer.
FOR PARTICIPANTS:
What happens to the project I take part in?
All projects and activities taking place between now and August 2026 will go ahead as planned. There will be no new projects or further work by Forest Forge after that.
What am I going to do now?
We hope you will take all the joy, memories and fun you have experienced from Forest Forge with you.
Although the activity will end, please remember that the communities we have built, the connections you have made and the friends you have met don’t disappear. They will all still be there and we are proud to have played a part in bringing you together. A quick internet search will lead you to other creative opportunities in the area.
What happens to photos of past shows?
We have an extensive archive from previous youth theatre and other participation shows. We are trying to work out a way we can make some of these available for sharing with you. We will be in touch if we can work this out soon.