Punchdrunk Enrichment

Who we are

About Punchdrunk Enrichment

Punchdrunk Enrichment creates immersive theatre experiences for families, schools and communities. We are a values-led organisation and care about children and young people, artists of the future, and communities underserved by conventional cultural programmes. We attract national and international collaborators, and have previously taken our projects into schools, care homes, community theatres, warehouses and found spaces.

We devise immersive theatre productions and projects that have a powerful impact by placing people at the heart of an unforgettable journey. Through our adventurous, high-quality approach to storytelling we champion the imagination.

Our History

 Punchdrunk Enrichment was founded in 2008 by Peter Higgin to take the innovative practice of Punchdrunk into schools, community and family settings. Originally part of Punchdrunk, the company became an independent charity in 2021 and is now based in Brent, London. Today, we are a National Portfolio Organisation dedicated to creating transformational, immersive theatre experiences for as wide an audience as possible.

In May 2023 we relocated to Brent and began a residency in Wembley, supported by Quintain. The following year we opened Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores, a co-created immersive theatre venue, built with local young makers.

Our first family show in our new venue was Enitan’s Game.  This was followed in 2025, by Fireside Tales. A version for Brent primary schools also ran before premiering to the public over winter.

From the very start we have taken the principles of immersive theatre and applied them as an educational tool in primary schools. This ‘Immersive Learning’ practice takes curricular outcomes and wraps them in a narrative. We create classroom based adventures that cast pupils as the main characters in a story with a mission they must complete, leading to improved learning outcomes.

Our schools programme includes CPD opportunities for teachers and workshops for primary school children. These run alongside our teacher-led adventures including A Small Tale for Years 1-4, The Creature Chronicles for Years 2-3 and The Vanishing Land for Years 5-6.

In 2023 our whole school immersive learning project Route 158 took a double decker bus from another world to Greenwich primary schools over two academic years. The immersive installation The Lost Lending Library has visited over 80 schools and been experienced by over 40,000 pupils, teachers and carers. Our pioneering approach to Immersive Learning was born out of the success and impact of this show.

In 2023, we presented a redeveloped version of The Lost Lending Library for family audiences at the Edinburgh International Festival. The show has also toured to Coventry City of Culture, Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Brisfest, to Singapore’s ‘March On Festival’ and ‘Out of the Box Festival in Australia.

Past immersive theatre shows for children and families include Small Wonders, a production for 5-11 year olds and their families that sold-out as part of the programme for LIFT 2018 and travelled to Edinburgh International Children’s Festival the same year. It was nominated for a Writer's Guild Award in 'Best Play for a Young Audience' category.

In June we announced a new project, Playdates, co-produced with London Museum. At their new site in Smithfield, the free experience for families will bring magic to the museum’s galleries in pursuit of one of London’s most elusive creatures. Recommended for ages 7+.

We are also the lead partner for an Arts Council England Priority Place consortium for Brent. Along with nine other partner organisations ViBrent will see over half a million pounds injected into the borough over the course of three years to cultivate and boost cultural offerings and opportunities for children and young people living in the borough. From early years to early careers we want to embed art in Brent in a sustainable way that will live beyond the Arts Council funded activity.

Please visit punchdrunkenrichment.org.uk for further information about our work.