Banging the Drum for TramShed

In June 2008, I had completed my music degree in Leeds and had moved back home to enjoy a long summer of doing nothing. This was just before my 21st birthday and I knew I needed to try and find something to keep me occupied whilst I planned what I was going to do with this degree I had just worked towards for the past three years. As I arrived home and before I could even put my bags down, my mum told me that there was an opportunity to do some volunteering over the next few weeks. This is when I was introduced to TramShed. Apparently, this newly formed charity were working towards their first show and they were looking for a drummer to play for their original production. I jumped at the opportunity, even though I then found out my mum had already signed me up! This is where my TramShed journey began.

Tom Hobbs

I didn’t really know what to expect as I arrived for my first rehearsal. I didn’t really have much experience of playing drums for theatre shows. Would I be good enough? Would I do the songs justice? What was TramShed all about? This is when I met Zac. During those first rehearsals, Zac painted an incredible picture of TramShed’s vision. He played me these fantastic songs he had written, and we worked on how to develop them by adding percussion. These weren’t just music rehearsals however, they were highly creative sessions where Zac would set out the concept of the show and explain how the music would help to tell the story. Zac would also explain how the songs and characters for the show were created with TramShed members in mind. This allowed me to take these amazing songs and add my own ideas that would hopefully compliment the story and showcase the talents of the unique individual TramShed members. I felt I understood who many of the TramShed members were before I had even met them. This wasn’t just my introduction to TramShed, this was my introduction to the inspirational world of inclusive theatre.

After our music rehearsals, we had full cast, tech and dress rehearsals. During this time, I was introduced to the incredible members of TramShed. I was blown away with what I was witnessing as I had a front row seat to that first show. I realised I was a small part of a huge project where every member was given an opportunity to express themselves, to shine, to show the world what they’re capable of and to be celebrated. I was taken through a range of emotions – one minute in hysterics, the next in tears. Little did I know, I would experience this rollercoaster of emotions twice a year from 2008 until the pandemic hit as TramShed grew and produced a Christmas show and a summer show every year. Each time with more members, bigger ideas, more jaw dropping productions and more lives changed.

From that first show at Cardinal Allen school, to shows at Thornton Little Theatre and then eventually moving to Blackpool Sixth Form, I have seen first-hand the impact of inclusive theatre. No one is limited by their background, experiences or needs. I feel privileged to have been involved in TramShed for the past 15 years. As recently as the other day, I was reminded of this privilege when filming for the 15th Anniversary DVD. I watched performances that I have seen many times before and they still have the enormous impact on me as the first time I saw them.

From that fresh faced 21-year-old straight out of uni, to the greying 35-year-old I am today, TramShed has been a huge part of my life, not to mention the life of its members. TramShed has taught me so much. I now have two children and TramShed has helped me to become a supportive father. My son has additional needs and I know there are no limits to what he can achieve with the example of TramShed providing these life changing opportunities for everyone to realise their potential. I would like to personally thank Zac, the arts practitioner team, volunteers and all TramShed members for making me part of the family and for all the incredible work they have done over the past 15 years. “You haven’t experienced theatre, until you’ve experienced inclusive theatre.”

#15yearstogether

Tom Hobbs

TramShed Drummer