How did it all begin?

It all began by accident, really. In 2004 a group of friends wanted to put on a musical during the summer holidays, entirely on their own and without an adult director, and their trusting and enterprising head teacher let them have the school theatre for three weeks. With a cast, band and crew drawn from local schools, and no one aged over twenty, a production of Guys and Dolls was staged. Everyone involved had the most amazing summer producing incredible theatre with like-minded people their own age, and the audiences loved it too. When it became apparent it had even made a profit, it seemed silly not to do it again the summer after.

Seventeen years later, more than 700 young people have had their own 'RicNic experience' and have contributed to other successful, sell-out productions, including West Side Story, Thoroughly Modern Millie, My Fair Lady, Singin' in the Rain and other classic shows. Every year, participants say that the whole experience is unique, and even life-changing, for four main reasons:

What makes RicNic so special?
  • At RicNic, you really do run the show. Everything is done by 16 to 21 year olds, which is really challenging but hugely rewarding - and important in a society where young people often don't get the respect and praise they deserve.
  • It's not just an opportunity for actors. Of course, our shows do need the most talented young actors, but we also need musicians, technicians, set designers, people who can sew or draw or build or design marketing, and people who can make the books balance. So whatever your 'thing' is, there's room for you in RicNic.
  • It doesn't cost you anything. Most summer theatre projects charge fees - sometimes massive ones - but we think that can put people off getting involved. We want the most talented and passionate people, regardless of how much cash they've got, so we don't expect you to have any. (Well, you have to buy your own lunch.)
  • Autonomy is fun. Being in control of a theatre and a show with dozens of other people your age is pretty much the best fun you can have. Everyone who does RicNic says that.

After thirteen successful shows in Hampshire, where we perform at the magnificent Theatre Royal in Winchester, it seemed selfish not to take the RicNic brand somewhere else. So - with the Hampshire shows still continuing every summer - we opened RicNic Oxford in 2012 (performing at the Old Fire Station) and RicNic London in 2017 (performing at the Stockwell Playhouse).

That's our story, in a nutshell. Many key RicNic positions are still held by the friends who set it up back in 2004 (we flatter ourselves that we're still sort of young...) and new projects are set up with the help of RicNic alumni. 

​Learn more

The team

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The branches

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Donations scheme

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