The Home We Made

Walking into HOME last night for The Home We Made, I wasn’t totally sure what to expect, but in a good way. I knew this was a community-led piece, created with people from across Manchester, and that alone set it apart from a lot of theatre. There was already a warm buzz in the building before the show started, with a real mix of audiences coming together, which felt fitting for a production all about belonging and shared space.

The Home We Made doesn’t follow a traditional storyline. Instead, it’s a collage of moments, memories and reflections about what “home” really means - not just the place you live, but the people, routines and connections that make you feel settled. Stories overlap and intertwine, touching on friendship, isolation, resilience and community, all rooted firmly in lived experience. It’s less about plot twists and more about shared understanding, with each section adding another layer to the bigger picture.

One of the things I really liked was how relaxed and conversational the show felt. It never tries to be something it’s not and there’s no over-dramatics or forced emotion, it’s just honest storytelling delivered with warmth and humour. It felt very Manchester in spirit - grounded, open and quietly proud.

The set design mirrors this simplicity. Nothing flashy or overdone and just enough to create a sense of place without pulling focus from the performers. There were projection walls shaped into a house, whether short clips and background graphics helped move the story along. Probs, like a sofa or coffee cart, were used to set the scene during specific moments. It all works nicely, keeping the attention where it belongs - on the people and their stories.

Performance-wise, the strength of The Home We Made lies in its authenticity. Elizabeth Cameron (The Green Room, Contact Theatre projects, community-led productions) brings a calm, steady presence to the stage, delivering her moments with sincerity and quiet confidence. She has a way of drawing you in without ever overplaying a scene, which suits the tone of the piece perfectly.

Demereece Green (North Manchester community performances, youth theatre projects) injects energy and reflection in equal measure. His contributions feel thoughtful and grounded, and there’s a natural ease to his delivery that keeps things engaging. Verity Walker-Sherriff (Wrestle Lads Wrestle at HOME, regional theatre and community showcases) adds warmth and emotional clarity and her performance feels open and generous. 

These are just to name a few, but having the cast share authentic stories straight from the heart gave the show added depth and pure emotion - whether that be a reflection of hard times or a moment of comic relief.

Another thing that stood out was the atmosphere in the auditorium. This felt like one of those shows where the audience was fully with it. You could sense that some people in the crowd had personal connections to the project, which added to the overall feeling of togetherness and made the experience feel genuinely shared.

Overall, The Home We Made is a thoughtful, heartfelt piece that champions real voices and real stories. It’s not polished in the traditional sense, but that’s part of its charm. If you enjoy theatre that feels personal, reflective and rooted in community, or if you’re simply curious to see something different, this is well worth your time.

WE SCORE THE HOME WE MADE...