Show of Strength celebrates 40 years of theatre with Making an Exhibition of Ourselves

Bristol theatre company Show of Strength is marking its 40th anniversary with the launch of Making an Exhibition of Ourselves, a new exhibition opening at The PIT in Totterdown this April. Free to attend, the exhibition offers audiences a rare opportunity to explore four decades of bold, inventive work from one of the city’s most distinctive theatre companies.

Running from Friday 17th  - Sunday 19th April, Making an Exhibition of Ourselves is part exhibition, part celebration - bringing together a rich collection of posters, photographs, film and memorabilia from the company’s archive, alongside live performance, music and a series of surprises that capture the spirit of Show of Strength.

The exhibition will showcase photographs spanning the organisation’s rich four-decade history, inviting visitors to match names to faces through a ‘Name That Actor’ competition. Fans of vintage theatre can also enjoy newly uncovered footage from Show of Strength’s first season at the Hen & Chicken in 1989. For those keen to take home a piece of history, a selection of vintage posters from past productions will be available to browse and purchase. To round off the experience, visitors can also enter a raffle for the chance to win a private theatre walk for up to 25 people.

Since its founding in 1986, Show of Strength has been at the heart of Bristol’s theatre scene, transforming unexpected spaces and championing new writing while bringing audiences closer to the action. From early performances aboard MV Thekla and at the Hen & Chicken to the creation of the Tobacco Factory Theatre, and through to its renowned programme of theatre walks across the city, the company has consistently redefined how and where theatre can be experienced.

Known for telling true and often untold stories rooted in Bristol’s history, Show of Strength has built a reputation for creating work that is accessible, entertaining and deeply connected to place. Its productions have taken place in pubs, factories, streets, ships and shops, helping to shape the city’s cultural landscape while supporting generations of local artists and creatives.

SOS Steam Punk Mistress and the Time Machine

The exhibition reflects this legacy, offering audiences a glimpse behind the scenes of the stories, characters and creative processes that have defined Show of Strength’s journey, while also acting as a thank you to the audiences who have supported the company over the past 40 years and an open invitation to those discovering it for the first time.

The milestone comes hot on the heels of Creative Producer Sheila Hannon being shortlisted for VisitEngland’s Tourism Superstar award, recognising her outstanding contribution to creating unforgettable visitor experiences in the region.

Sheila Hannon, who co-founded Show of Strength, said: “It’s both surreal and amazing that we’re 40, but we’re incredibly proud to have brought together hundreds of actors, writers, directors, designers, technicians and audiences to tell stories - some of which would blow your socks off.  Going back through the archive has been a joy, uncovering moments we’d almost forgotten and we’re really looking forward to sharing that with people. It feels less like a traditional exhibition and more like a celebration of everything Show of Strength has been and everything it continues to be.”

Taking place at The PIT on Wells Road in Totterdown - just a short distance from Temple Meads - Making an Exhibition of Ourselves promises to be a vibrant and accessible celebration of a company that has spent 40 years telling Bristol’s stories in unforgettable ways. For more information and to secure your place, visit https://hdfst.uk/show-of-strength-exhibition

Information on Show of Strength’s past and present work, including our returning season of award-winning Theatre Walks, can be found at www.showofstrength.org.uk.