The Spring

Proteus is a touring theatre company and arts centre in Basingstoke, telling stories that foster empathy for the ‘other’ and supporting others to do the same. Our artist development, participatory programmes, and accessible performances at Creation Space nurture creative communities and inspire local audiences. We tour ambitious socially aware work across the UK, highlighting issues like PTSD, body dysmorphia, and domestic violence through award-winning and cross-artform projects. For 40 years, Proteus has built a reputation for high-quality shows, including internationally acclaimed productions. We prioritise casting artists from protected characteristic groups, especially in rural family tours.

We’re the Sustainable Conservation Trust (SCT) – a not-for-profit team of architects, artists, and placemakers reusing historic buildings through creative collaboration and technology. From forts and slaughterhouses to alleyways and pop-ups, we bring forgotten spaces back to life with community at the heart. Our base at the Old Pay Office in Historic Dockyard is a living lab for residencies, skills workshops, and test projects. We welcome creatives of all kinds to join us in reimagining heritage – as a platform, not a museum piece. If you’re a local maker, artist, designer, photographer, coder, or storyteller and think heritage is more than bricks and plaques – let’s talk.  

Forest Forge, based in Ringwood, Hampshire, uses theatre and theatre-making to find and celebrate the extraordinary in the ordinary. Based in the New Forest, our work across touring productions, participation and artist development helps make and build connections between people, spark joy, and encourages personal shifts in perspective and experience.