★★★★ "The writing is whip-smart, making you want to laugh and cry....Searching, stimulating, and enriching theatre"    East Midlands Theatre 

JOIN US IN BRINGINg SIXTEEN TO MORE AUDIENCES

We are thrilled that more than 400 people experienced sixTeen and took part in our post-show Q&A sessions in September 2025. The response has been extraordinary and your enthusiasm has confirmed how urgently this piece resonates.

Now, we need your support

To meet the growing interest and ensure sixTeen reaches even more communities, we are currently fundraising to schedule additional performances throughout 2026-27. Every contribution, both big or small will directly help us deepen the impact of this work and keep vital conversations alive.

Be part of the journey and help shape the next chapter bringing sixTeen to more communities. Donate today!

ABOUT THE PLAY

One year. One estate. Where childhood meets reality

Sutton-in-Ashfield, 1984. The miners’ strike rages, but this isn’t the story you’ve heard before. This is Carsic Estate and a girl's-eye view of a world built by industry, broken by policy, and handed down without a map.

Set in Thatcher’s Britain but echoing loudly in Starmer’s era, this is not a history play. It’s a warning shot. A raw, unflinching coming-of-age story, of working-class teenage girls and women finding their voices, fighting back, and rewriting the rules.

Presented as an unplugged performance by 3 actors, featuring a question and answer session with Dr. Lisa McKenzie.

Content warning: Contains some strong language and references to suicide.

Writers: Lisa McKenzie and Jayne Williams

Play your part in helping sixTeen reach more audiences. Donate today!

TAKE A PEAK BEHIND THE SCENES

"We want to hear other people's stories" BBC News, East Midlands explore the background of this new play developed through Open Pitch click here

Tune in to Lisa McKenzie and Jayne Williams on BBC SOUNDS click here

Here Lisa McKenzie shares her Open Pitch journey to becoming a playwright click here

This play was developed through our unique Open Pitch programme, to discover the backstory and other projects click here

To learn more about our Open Pitch community programme click here

OPEN PITCH sharings in 2025

In Autumn 2025 we shared sixTeen with audiences, in association with Ashfield Creates. 

Cast:

Third Stage - Concert Hall, Nottingham NG1 5ND
Tuesday 9 September, 4pm & 7.30pm 

Tin Hat Centre, Selston NG16 6BW 
Wednesday 10 September, 7.30pm 

Teversal Visitor Centre, Teversal NG17 3HJ  
Thursday 11 September, 7.30pm

John Godber Centre, Hucknall NG15 7FQ
Friday 12 September, 4.30pm & 7.30pm 

Cornerstone Theatre, Sutton in Ashfield NG17 1EE  
Saturday 13 September, 2.30pm  

Each sharing lasted 90 mins including a post show Q&A session with the writers and cast.