Originally formed as Tyne Valley Youth Theatre in 2012, Mortal Fools is a multi-award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning company based in Prudhoe, Northumberland.

We started out as a small youth theatre group, running one-off week-long projects from a village hall. Today, we work with 100s of young people every year, tour our work nationally, and deliver bespoke training courses with individuals and organisations across the country. In 2018, we were named 'Small Charity of Year' at the North-East Charity Awards. 

As a small charity, we receive no guaranteed income; we rely entirely on support from our partners, applications to a lot of brilliant trusts and foundations, and donations. Please consider helping us to do our work by becoming a regular donor.

SUPPORT US

"It is rare to find an organisation with this quality, community focus, and ambition" 

-ROB HUGGINS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Liberdade Community Development Trust

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WHY we do what we do...

We work with children and young people - with the aim of contributing to shaping future generations to become a society where everyone is motivated, engaged and able to bring their unique abilities to help make the world a little bit better...

​The creative arts are at the core of everything we do. We use theatre and drama to help people unlock their personal brilliance.

Whilst it may not be crucial to survival, creativity is a fundamental human need and vital for a fulfilling life. The act of creating something makes us feel present, and that we can make a mark on this world – it shouts, ‘I’m here!’ We use the creative arts to support people in their personal and professional development, helping those we work with to bring about changes in behaviour and outlook, to build confidence, experience personal accomplishment and shape a more positive self-image.

We believe that many of the world’s problems arise from disengagement, and that fundamental to engagement and well-being is having a positive self-image, confidence and a sense of purpose.
 
We are working to create a society where everyone is motivated, engaged and able to bring their unique abilities to help make the world a little bit better. The problems of the world are essentially the problems of individuals. Through supporting individuals to change, together we may just be able to change the world.

HOW we do what we do...

We use high-quality drama and the process of making and performing theatre as our tools for change, supporting the next generation by focusing on activities with children and young people.

We’re passionate about the arts and know that they have the potential to change and enrich lives, to share and show our potential as human beings and to transform society. Our theatre productions explore contemporary concerns and the realities of the world we’re living in right now – inviting positive change.
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We believe there is huge value in shared, enjoyable, and entertaining experiences and of group achievement – especially through challenges. The way we work supports achieving excellence in both the process of making theatre and in the end products.

Our work with adults and businesses is founded on the same principles and values we apply when making theatre; creating an environment that is genuinely supportive and accessible, where everyone feels valued as an individual, and is enabled to contribute.

WHAT we do...

• Enable children and young people to co-create with professional artists, treating young people as artists in their own right

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• Inspire people with dynamic youth-led theatre productions and workshops

• Learn through working with sector-leading organisations, schools, individuals and artists who share our values

• Use drama and theatre to enrich the provision within education, train teachers and improve the personal, social and educational outcomes of pupils

• Make dynamic, engaging and relevant contemporary theatre for young audiences

• Programme exciting theatre by other companies and artists – prioritising this in settings where there’s not much available

• Champion work produced by young people, and campaign for its recognition as an important and high-quality art form

• Take our work to audiences in a range of settings, community buildings, schools, outdoor spaces and professional theatre venues, limiting barriers to taking part

• Support independent artists working in youth arts with training, mentoring and employment

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• Run practical skills training for businesses supporting them to learn how to connect better interpersonally in the workplace, with clients and as leaders.

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Contributing
Growing
With others
As ourselves

Our values

Core Staff:
Kiz Crosbie
Artistic Director / CEO

Helen Ferguson
Creative Producer

Zoe Anderson
Programme Coordinator

Craig Spence
​Production Manager

Our Trustees:
Richard Wise (Chair)
Nikki Bell
Michelle Russell
Dr Marie Wilson
Rachel Kyle-Barclay
Rachel Pattison
Amelia Dixon (Youth Board development)

OUR ASSOCIATE TEAM

OUR FUNDERS & PARTNERS:

​We could not do our work without the ongoing support of our funders and partners. ​We unreservedly offer our thanks to:

Arts Council England
Bait – Creative People and Places
Barbara Priestman Academy, Sunderland
Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust
CNL Young People’s Fund
Collingwood School and Media Arts College
Councillor Anne Dale
Culture Bridge North East
D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust
Essity
Garfield Weston Foundation
Gateshead Council
GEM
Gosforth Civic Theatre & Liberdade Community Development Trust
J H Burn Charity Trust
Joicey Trust
Key Fund Federation
High Sheriff of Northumberland
North East Enterprise Agency Ltd
North East Fund for the Arts
Northern Powergrid Fund
Northern Stage
Northumberland Arts Development
Northumberland Children's Trust
Northumberland Church of England Academy
Northumberland County Council
Northumberland Group Fund
Northumberland High Sheriff
Northumbria University
Ovingham Middle School
Queens Hall Arts
Riding Mill Drama Club
Riding Mill Parish Halls Trust
RW Mann Trust
Prudhoe Community High School
Prudhoe Community Partnership
Prudhoe Town Council
SCA Hygiene Ltd
Sir James Knott Trust
St. Joseph’s RC Middle School
The Community Foundation of Tyne & Wear and Northumberland
The Fuse Media Centre
The Key UK
The Rothley Trust
Trinity College London
Tyne & Wear Archives and Museums
Ubiquitous Arts
Wellesley Community First Fund
1989 Willan Charitable Trust
Wunderbar