Mikron cheeses it up for its 54th year

Brie-lieve in the power of cheese: Mikron's James Mclean (left) and Robert Took. Pic: Liz Baker

Mikron Theatre Company - the nation’s most prolific touring theatre company - has launched the second of its 2026 productions, Wensleydale Whey - and yes, it's about cheese. Cheese lovers will be delighted to know it can be seen all over the country until October 24.

“We’re all big foodies here at Mikron," said artistic director Marianne McNamara, "so a pitch for a show about cheese wasn't a hard sell for our writer, Lucie Raine - who wrote Hush Hush for us last year - and our composer, Amal El-Sawad."

In this legen-dairy tale, Mikron actors James McLean, Georgina Liley, Robert Took and Catherine Warnock

will transport audiences to the Yorkshire Dales, where the stakes are high: monks from the abbey are desperately seeking a living soul to resurrect their traditional Wensleydale cheese.

The fromage-tastic musical delves into the rich history of cheese, featuring a whey out cast of characters, ghosts, and grievances. True to Mikron’s signature style, the show promises a gouda time with a cheesy plot and a sprinkle of drama. And we're sorry to use all those puns but someone at Mikron spent a long time thinking them up, so let's honour their sacrifice...

Based in Marsden, West Yorkshire, Mikron is a unique touring theatre company that travels by narrowboat "Tyseley" in the summer and by van for the rest of the year. Over the 54 years, the company has performed thousands of times to nearly half a million people, and is famous for using unusual venues - 137 of them - from YHA youth hostels, lifeboat stations and allotments to fish and chip shops, pubs, village greens and yes, even theatres.

“2026 is a milestone year for Mikron," said Marianne. "We remain one of the UK’s most prolific touring theatre companies, performing over 5,000 shows since 1972 by canal, river and road."

Every performance of Wensleydale Whey will feture integrated audio description, and touch tours are also available at every performance. A significant number of their performances remain "pay what you feel" to ensure theatre remains accessible to everyone.

The company's other show this year is Maeve Larkin's Top of the Wold, a musical tale about mobile libraries. The company performs one or both of the shows at many venues.

More info and full tour list here.