Celebrating masks and physical theatre since 1987

Residencies and workshops are team-led by practising performers who are able to communicate their enthusiasm for the art form. Trading Faces shares skills with up to 2000 participants each year. The company adapts its project work to make it suitable for a wide range of participants in a variety of different locations.

Many projects are set up in partnership with venues, district authorities and local education authorities, whilst other projects are developed in response to requests from specific groups.

The content will depend on the nature of each particular group eg: age; ability; experience; number of participants; availability of space; time; objectives of group leaders and the desires of the participants. Each workshop and residency is tailor-made dependant on these factors and is usually run over a concentrated block of time.

The scale of these projects varies considerably, from a youth project at Battersea Arts Centre to an opera at the Royal Albert Hall, from a skills based workshop for a school to a multi-art form residency in collaboration with other artists for a whole community.

All residencies lead to a performance, with an equal emphasis on sharing skills and techniques that will last beyond the life of the project.

Participants include:
  • Practitioners and professional artists
  • Teachers and youth workers
  • Adults
  • People with physical, sensory and learning disabilities
  • Prisoners
  • Community groups
  • Youth theatre groups
  • Youth groups
  • Students
  • Families and children

Venues include:
  • Arts centres and theatres
  • Schools and colleges
  • Village halls and community centres
  • Galleries and museums
  • Residential and day centres
  • Prisons
  • Youth centres
  • Outdoor projects in urban and rural locations

“There are not many workshops we've had in our school who have given us as much 'value' as Trading Faces! We have had them for two separate residencies both were utterly outstanding. You won’t regret buying them in” Mark Wheeler Head of Drama Oaklands Community School

“The students you worked with use ideas from the workshop across their progression through the arts curriculum. I would happily recommend your work to any school or performing Arts Institution” Steve Eagles Director of Drama Alderbrook School and Arts College

“Their excellent communication skills enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, engage and participate fully in the arts.” Jane Bryant: Team Leader, Arts Council England South East

"The company is incredibly efficient and well organised with clear artistic vision - I have oftern used them as an example of good practise for other arts organisations that we deal with" Abigail Brown Arts Development Officer Vale of White Horse District Council

“It has given another dimension to our work” Trish Fraser: Group Leader, Charlbury Youth Theatre

“For a combination of energy, entertainment and education there is no touring theatre company that can get close to the work of Trading Faces” The Reading Post

“I have yet to see a more successful approach by an outside agency.” Jane Wearing: Feltham Community School