Where shall we start.

I had a really lovely, enlightening, informative, heart-warming and entertaining afternoon last Friday in Stockport.

Less a frequent flyer than I used to be, this was my first time at the impressive Stockroom, the shared community-focused space which offers up areas for reading, studying, meeting, coffee-drinking, eating, exhibitions and, that day, contemporary theatre, with Casson & Friends’ Shed Stories in the studio on the 1st floor.

With upwards of 1200 Men’s Sheds currently operating in the UK, Shed Stories combines theatre, movement and documentary to explore the rise of community spaces Men’s Sheds.

The show celebrates how Men’s Sheds support mental health, tackle loneliness, and offer opportunities to swap woodwork skills, have a cup of tea, and create something useful for themselves and their communities.

First of all there was much, much loveliness from my fellow audience members and, indeed, from the gentleman and Shed Member who welcomed me in.

‘Are you here for Shed Stories?‘ he asked…

‘Yes’, I smiled.

‘Well you just brought the audience average age down to 80!’, he quipped.

I laughed and despite flying solo for this show, felt immediately at home.

Taking a seat in the squared formation around the performance space, another gentleman asked, looking a little surprised, if I was a ‘Shedder’.

For someone reason I was apologetic in my answer when I explained that I wasn’t but had been invited along to see the show and was intrigued into both it and the subject matter. We settled into talking about the evolution of Stockport and then settled into our seats as the show began.

I hope this gentlemen realised from my signs of appreciation throughout the performance, that I was quickly, and very much, a Shedder ally. However, I should point out at this juncture that to be a woman and ‘seemingly somewhat younger’ (thank you low lighting), were absolutely no barriers to becoming a Shedder, I was to learn that afternoon…

A little background on the subject matter in hand../

Men’s Sheds aim is to improve wellbeing reducing loneliness and combatting social isolation. They are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together (many Sheds also have women members too). You can find out more here (but come back here).

Turning to our theatre company, Casson & Friends’ (that’s Tim Casson, choreographer and creator) ethos is ‘creating work that is people powered, interactive and joyful, reflecting and supporting communities.’

Well Shed Stories certainly was that.

The line between the pre-show gathering and chatter, and (in this case) metaphorical ‘curtain up’ was blurred as, performers and co-creators, Matthew Winston & Deepraj Singh, spoke with seated audience members and got to learn a little about them.

And once we were sitting comfortably, Shed Stories began. And it drew us all into a world that is safe, creative, inclusive, inviting…a port in a storm.

Via documented and recorded soundbites from Men’s Shed members, the performers own voices segued into the audio, projecting and performing the words, intonation and sentiments of those interviewed.

As throughout the hour’s performance, via beautifully expressive and captivating choreography, Winston and Singh become the people, their anecdotes, the tea breaks, the carpentry, even the members manual as they cite and rhythmically perform the rules. And I have to say, never have I been so drawn in to regulations in.my.life.

I mean guess this is where I start throwing out the adage you just had to be there…

With artistic, dancing, fade in fade out mood-setting lighting and an original, charming, playful and somewhat coquettish soundtrack, no one element crowded the other, merely complemented.

But no moment took quite such a stranglehold on us as the immersive biscuit experience.

Yes.

For we, the audience/pseudo shed members (some, of course, actual and bona fide), were invited to take from either a bourbon biscuit jar or a ginger biscuit jar, and hold aloft our chosen treat as a count was undertaken.

In case you’re wondering (go on, you are, aren’t you), I’m a bourbon all the way.

What, may you ask (no you may not – oh, ok) was going on here?

Well for me it was community, it was engagement, it was both an interlude from the performance in front of us whilst simultaneously being part of it, and it was one more aspect of Shed Stories that made the whole experience so very meta.

For whilst we were hearing the sometimes powerful, sometimes sad, sometimes happy, always inspirational, voices of those who have found a sanctuary in Men’s Sheds, we were being brought together by the very experience of Shed Stories the show itself.

We learned that Men’s Sheds are about friendship. How the underpinning activity of woodwork and creativity on offer comes without pressure, judgement or expectation that members are going to waltz out with a new line in occasional tables, and a passport to fortune via a new Etsy account.

We learned more about themes such as ageing, bereavement, loneliness, friendship, mental health.

And we learned this all via the highly effective act of layering documentary with dance, with humour, with drama, and with a breaking of the fourth wall as a creative and innovative piece of art…

Shed Stories and Men’s Sheds – a wonderful piece of contemporary theatre befitting of its wonderful subject.

(And shout out to Heaton Park shedders, who were there in force to proudly spread the word and raise awareness).

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To read more about Casson & Friends and their work, visit Casson and Friends.com

For more about Men’s Sheds Associations and to find your nearest, visit Menssheds.org.uk