The Droves

The Droves was an ambitious interactive experience created by Coney and a company of over 600 young people from across Tower Hamlets and beyond. Designed entirely from the imaginations of children aged 6–11, the project combined escape room-style puzzles, theatrical storytelling, and world-building on a remarkable scale.

Led by a core group known as The Droves Young Company – who took on roles as writers, directors, designers and performers – the piece offered audiences a rare opportunity: to step into a world adults couldn’t have made on their own.

Through 42 workshops and 12 performances, this collective of young makers reshaped what theatre can be. The Droves premiered in February 2018 during a festival weekend that brought together young talent, creativity, and a spirit of playful adventure.

Through the process of this project, The Young Coneys were born – a new ongoing programme supporting young people to make theatre, games, and adventures for others (especially grown-ups) to play. Coney met these young makers wherever they were – in schools, homes, youth groups – guided by the belief that being a Young Coney could have lasting impact on confidence, creativity, and agency.