About Fireside Tales

As the nights grow colder and the dark draws near, a light glows in the distance. It’s inviting you to take part in the ritual of the fire season.

Fireside Tales is a new immersive experience for children aged 7-11 and their grown-ups. Step into a magical world where stories flicker like flames and imagination keeps them burning bright. For thousands of years, we have gathered to share tales around the fire. But this tradition is fading, and many stories are at risk of being lost. When a new story arrives — faint as an ember, not brave enough to be told — it needs your help to be heard.

Developed with schools, this interactive adventure encourages you to draw, write and share your own stories. Without your care, the fire might fade, be forgotten or take on a dangerous new form.

This is a show about the stories we tell, the ones we pass down, and the ones we forget — and what happens when we take the time to listen.

Ticket prices rise with demand — book early to secure the best rate.

How to experience the show

School performances

We’re offering dedicated school-only performances of Fireside Tales, which are not open to the public. Each performance has a capacity of 43 and includes:

  • A pre-show education pack with curricular and PSHE guidance
  • A classroom video to introduce the world of the show
  • Follow-up activities to extend the experience

School performance dates:

  • Tue 9 Dec – 10am (Sold Out)
  • Tue 9 Dec – 11.30am (Sold Out)
  • Tue 9 Dec – 1.30pm
  • Wed 10 Dec – 10am (Sold Out)
  • Wed 10 Dec – 11.30am (Sold Out)
  • Wed 10 Dec – 1.30pm
  • Thu 11 Dec – 10am (Sold Out)
  • Thu 11 Dec – 11.30am (Sold Out)
  • Thu 11 Dec – 1.30pm (Sold Out)
  • Fri 12 Dec – 1.30pm (Sold Out)
  • Tue 16 Dec – 10am (Sold Out)
  • Tue 16 Dec – 11.30am (Sold Out)
  • Tue 16 Dec – 1.30pm
  • Wed 17 Dec – 10am (Sold Out)
  • Wed 17 Dec – 11.30am
  • Wed 17 Dec – 1.30pm
  • Thu 18 Dec – 10am
  • Thu 18 Dec – 11.30am (Sold Out)
  • Thu 18 Dec – 1.30pm (Sold Out)
  • Fri 19 Dec – 11.30am

Ticket prices:
£12 per pupil (non-fee-paying schools)
£15 per pupil (fee-paying schools)
One free adult ticket is included for every 10 pupils booked. Additional adult tickets sold at pupil price. In SEN settings, all adult tickets are complimentary.

Please note, there is a minimum total booking cost of £288. 

To enquire about booking a school performance, please fill in this booking form.

Homeschool performance

We are offering a dedicated performance for homeschool students and their guardians. This will take place on Friday 12th December at 3pm. All tickets for this performance are £12. Tickets for this performance can be purchased online via our box office.

This performance is currently sold out. If you choose the performance and select "Join the waitlist" then we will get in touch if additional tickets are released.

Pay What You Can performances

We are offering pay what you can performances across the run. For these shows, you can decide what you pay to attend (minimum £8).

Pay what you can shows will run on the following dates:

  • Sunday 7 December, 4pm
  • Saturday 3 January, 12.30pm (BSL interpreted)
  • Sunday 4 January, 11am (relaxed performance)

We are a charity and want to make sure this offer is for those who need it most. If you can, please purchase a full priced ticket.

These performances are currently sold out. If you choose the performance and select "Join the waitlist" then we will get in touch if additional tickets are released.

'Grown-ups only' performances

For regular performances we ask all adults to be accompanied by a child when they attend. However if you want to attend a show without children you can come along to one of our 'Grown-ups only' shows.

Tickets cost £55 and include entry to the show, a drink and a post-show Q&A with members of the creative team.

'Grown-ups only' shows will run on the following dates:

  • Friday 12 December, 7.30pm (guests to be confirmed)
  • Friday 19 December, 7.30pm (with Steve McCourt and Peter Higgin)
  • Friday 2 January, 7.30pm (guests to be confirmed)

We also have one 'Grown-ups only' performance on Tuesday 16 December, 3pm at a lower price of £30 as this will not include a Q&A and drink after the show. Please note that this performance will be shared with attendees of our Making Immersive Work for Young Audiences masterclass.

Making Immersive Work for Young Audiences Masterclass

Go behind the scenes of Fireside Tales, see the show, and join a masterclass led by Steve McCourt — director and writer of the show, and incoming Artistic Director of Punchdrunk Enrichment.

The masterclass takes place on Tuesday 16th December at 3pm. Find out more information and purchase your ticket here.

Group bookings

Large groups will receive 1 complimentary ticket per 10 booked. This is applied automatically at checkout. 

If you'd like to discuss booking a whole performance, please email the box office at boxoffice@punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk. We have additional performance times that can be released for this.

Relaxed and BSL performances

Fireside Tales is being developed in collaboration with an access consultant and is designed to be welcoming for all children, including those with SEN or additional needs. If you have specific access requirements, please get in touch — we’d love to support your visit.

Relaxed PerformanceSunday 4 January, 11am
Capacity will be reduced, and audiences are free to come and go as needed. A breakout space will be available before, during, and after the show. A comfortable and accessible light and sound environment to ensure everyone feels welcome in our space. Tickets are pay what you can.

BSL Interpreted PerformanceSaturday 3 January, 12.30pm
A professional BSL interpreter will provide a visible, artistic interpretation of the show for D/deaf audience members and those who use British Sign Language. Tickets are pay what you can.

These performances are currently sold out online. If your party would like to attend either performance because of access needs, please get in touch with us at boxoffice@punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk.

Access tickets

Fireside Tales is wheelchair accessible with door widths of 800mm. We can accommodate two wheelchair users per performance.

If you wish to attend with an essential companion, please select an access or wheelchair user ticket. You will then be able to add an essential companion ticket free of charge.

Please see the 'Relaxed and BSL performances' tab for information on additional access performances.

Brent resident discount

If you live, earn or learn in our home borough of Brent, you can access 20% off adult tickets under £30 and child tickets under £23. Excludes pay what you can performances.

To receive your discount code, simply sign up to our mailing listand choose "Send me local updates and discounts."

Venue information

Toilets
There are three accessible toilets available, these are individual cubicles and are available to all gender identities. We have one located in our Front of House area, and two additionally next door at our office.

Baby Changing 
We have baby changing facilities available for you. You are welcome to breastfeed anywhere you feel comfortable. 

Parking
We recommend that you travel to Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores via public transport. We have one accessible parking space to the side of our building that must be booked in advance. Visit our venue information page to find out more.

Age guidance

Fireside Tales is suitable for children aged 7-11 years, however this is a guide and we encourage parents/carers to make their own judgement on whether it would be suitable for their child. It is not suitable for children aged under four years (apart from babes in arms).

Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores was created and designed by Casey Jay Andrews and Kate Rigby - for the full team list for the creation of Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, please click here.