The Headlines
Join us for the 2026 Two Islands Playback Theatre Gathering: Cross-Pollination!
When? Friday 1st May (check-in from 3pm) to Monday 4th May (check-out by 3pm).
Where? Buckden Towers, Buckden, Cambridgeshire, UK, PE19 5TA. You can check out the accommodation options below, and see more about the venue’s spaces and history here. You can find more information to support your travel-planning here.
What? Through a long weekend of workshops, playback jams, performances and spontaneous happenings, this gathering aims to:
- bring together playbackers from across the Two Islands
- create space to play together, exchange ideas, and strengthen our connection
- develop and nurture our Two Islands network with cross-pollination and exchange
- celebrate the diversity of our groups and practitioners
Who? We welcome playbackers who are based in Ireland or the UK, to support our aim of connecting and cross-pollinating across the Two Islands. If you are based elsewhere, but feel strongly part of the Ireland and UK playback community, please get in touch with us first before booking – you can email us at twoislandsplayback@gmail.com
How? All you need to know (we hope!) is below – please have a good read! If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please email us at twoislandsplayback@gmail.com. The second wave of bookings is open – BOOK HERE.
If you’re applying for a Scholarship (see more details below), APPLY HERE.
If you miss a ticket in the second wave, please join the waiting list, as we may be able to release some more tickets further down the line.
Below you can find information on:
- Gathering values
- Accessibility
- Programme, and applying to perform or run workshops
- Tickets and Scholarships
- Cancellation Policy
Gathering Values
It is our intention to hold a safe space that respects the foundations of Playback Theatre. Through honouring story tellers and connecting communities who support our intentions, we aim to foreground stories from the oppressed and silenced.
We acknowledge that the world we live in is rife with injustices (too many to name). It has: dominant, divide and rule cultures of white, right-wing, male dictatorships; colonisation and privilege; the fragility of democracy; the ongoing war against women; global wars, genocides and occupations; caste systems; the marginalisation of the poor, global majority, LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, disabled, young and elderly.
We also acknowledge climate change and our urgent need to be as eco-conscious as possible.
In light of this, we invite you to join us in upholding the following values:
- Welcoming all stories, particularly those of resistance, liberation, celebration and active hope coming from members of underrepresented communities whose voices are not usually heard.
- Respecting every participant regardless of race, age, religion, sexual identity, or socioeconomic background; staying away from assumptions.
- Respecting the boundaries of all participants in workshops, activities and general coexistence during the gathering. It’s better to ask before engaging in physical contact with anyone.
- Taking responsibility for our own feelings, and using the spaces available to process these mindfully and respectfully.
Those who don’t honour these values during the gathering might be asked to leave in order to keep the gathering safe for those participants who embrace them.
We welcome all playbackers who would like to connect, agreeing to our intentions.
Accessibility
Venue – We are choosing to gather at Buckden Towers once again as we know them well as a venue, and they know us.
Please let us know of any access needs you have when you book, and we will consult with you to ensure that you have what you need to enjoy the gathering.
There will be several allocated quiet spaces available during the gathering for those seeking time away from the bustle. We also hope the warm May weather will enable you to enjoy the peace and beauty of the extensive grounds.
Travel – We are aware that many of you will be traveling far to Buckden Towers, not least our friends coming from Ireland. We are releasing tickets in two waves, in order to allow more time for travel planning for those who have a more complex journey to make. If the cost of your travel feels prohibitive, please consider applying for a scholarship (see below).
Please let us know when booking if you need a carpark space, or if you want to share a taxi from/to the nearest station.
Scholarships – We have 10 scholarship places available for those who would not be able to attend the gathering otherwise. Please find more information below (Tickets and Scholarships).
Programme
Apply – Would you like to deliver a workshop, a wellbeing session, or to perform with your company? Please apply here by 31st January 2026. We will inform you by end of February whether you’re offer has been accepted.
Full Programme – We will announce the full programme in March 2026. In the meantime, here’s an overview of the weekend’s timetable:
| Timings | Friday 1st May |
| 15:00 – 18:00 | Check-in |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | DINNER |
| 19:00 – 20:30 | Opening Ceremony |
| 20:30 onwards | Social |
| Timings | Saturday 2nd May | Sunday 3rd May |
| 8:00 – 10:00 | BREAKFAST | BREAKFAST |
| 8:45 – 9:45 | Wellbeing Sessions | Wellbeing Sessions |
| 10:00 – 12:30 | Workshop & Jam Options | Workshop & Jam Options |
| 12:30 – 14:00 | LUNCH | LUNCH |
| 14:00 – 15:30 | Open Session (for community-generated spaces) | Open Session (for community-generated spaces) |
| 15:30 – 16:00 | BREAK | BREAK |
| 16:00 – 18:30 | Workshop & Jam Options | Workshop & Jam Options |
| 18:30 – 20:00 | DINNER | DINNER |
| 20:00 – 21:30 | Playback Performances | Playback Performances |
| 21:30 onwards | Social | Social |
| Timings | Monday 4th May |
| 8:00 – 10:00 | BREAKFAST |
| 8:45 – 9:45 | Wellbeing Sessions |
| 10:00 – 12:00 | Big Playback Jam |
| 12:00 – 12:15 | BREAK |
| 12:15 – 13:15 | Closing Ceremony |
| 13:15 – 14:15 | LUNCH |
| 14:15 – 15:00 | Check-out |
Tickets and Scholarships
Tickets – We have a range of accommodation options available, and therefore a range of ticket prices. Please see the table below for a full breakdown.
Scholarships – We also have 10 scholarship places available for those who would not be able to attend the gathering otherwise. Scholarship places cost £110 and include full catering and accommodation in one of the dormitories. To apply for a scholarship place, please complete this form. You have until 31st January 2026 to apply, and we will inform you if you have a scholarship place by mid February. If you are applying for a scholarship, please do not also book a ticket.
Please note the following:
- We have two waves of bookings: the second is now open (as of 12th January 2026). Tickets cost the same across both waves.
- If you don’t manage to get a ticket in the second wave, please join the waiting list – we’ll likely be able to release some more tickets further down the line, so we will let the waiting list know.
- We are asking for payment in full at booking. If this will be a challenge, please consider applying for a scholarship (more details above).
- We are operating a strict cancellation policy – please see below.
| Accommodation | Cost with full catering | Cost with no catering |
| Camping (bring your own tent; showers available at off-peak times) | £178 | £88 |
| Bed in dorm (women-only and mixed gender available; shared dorm bathrooms; upstairs – bring own bedding) | £208 | £118 |
| Single room off dorm (women-only and mixed gender available; shared dorm bathrooms; upstairs – bring own bedding) | £238 | £148 |
| Bed in twin room (shared bathrooms; mostly upstairs, one downstairs – bedding provided) | £308 | £218 |
| St David Apartment (1 double bed, 1 single bed, private bathroom, kitchen and sitting area; upstairs – bedding provided) | £608 | £518 |
| All Saints Apartment (1 double bed, 1 single bed, private bathroom, kitchen and sitting area; upstairs – bedding provided) | £608 | £518 |
| St Jude’s Apartment (2 single beds, private bathroom, kitchen and sitting area; upstairs – bedding provided) | £458 | £368 |
| Sharing an Apartment (…with someone who has already booked the apartment. You can pay them back for your share of the apartment separately.) | £158 | £68 |
| Non-Residential Ticket (please note you’re responsible for booking your own accommodation) | £158 | £68 |
Cancellation Policy
By buying a ticket, you agree to the following cancellation policy:
- Cancellations made by Monday 23rd March 2026 will receive a full refund minus a 10% admin fee.
- Cancellations made after 23rd March and by Friday 17th April 2026 will receive a 50% refund.
- Cancellations made after 17th April will not receive a refund.
- Registered participants who do not attend the event without prior notice will not receive a refund.
- You may transfer your registration to another person so long as we are notified by Friday 17th April 2026.
- Should the event be cancelled by the organisers you will receive a full refund.
Artwork by Anna Kouma
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