Theatre group takes centre stage at hub

A Sheffield arts charity has moved into a new creative hub following a £2 million transformation of a former nightclub.

Stand & Be Counted Theatre (SBC) has made Above Electric Studios on Leadmill Road its new home, providing dedicated space for performances, workshops and creative collaborations.

The two-floor facility includes offices, a shared studio for exhibitions and installations and a main workshop area capable of hosting 60-capacity performances.

The move forms part of Electric Studios’ growing creative offer following the refurbishment of the former Leadmill nightclub into a higher-capacity music venue with co-working and creative spaces.

Sheffield street artist Kid Acne is also establishing a studio at the venue as artist in residence.

SBC, the UK’s first theatre company of sanctuary and an associate company of Sheffield Theatres, works with people of all ages seeking sanctuary.

Its recent projects in Sheffield have included an attempt that broke the world record for the longest multi-chain football scarf.

The charity will also take its production of Ripples, which tells a true story of immigration injustice, to London’s Bush Theatre and venues across the UK next year, with a Sheffield performance planned at Electric Studios.

Rosie MacPherson, joint chief executive of SBC, said: “This is such an exciting prospect, because it gives us a home for our creative communities and a space to share our world of sanctuary.

“Moving into Electric Studios gives us the stability we need but also the thrill of being part of such an exciting creative community.

“There is so much history and inspiration in the fabric of the building. 

“From this month, we will be welcoming thousands of people into the new space every year.”

The venue’s upcoming music programme includes performances from We Are Scientists, Milburn, Channel One Sound System and Reef, with Fat Dog also announced for February 2027.

Nicole Jewitt, Above Electric Studios’ community and arts project manager, added: “What’s exciting about SBC moving in is that it’s starting to show what we’ve talked about from the beginning: that this building can be about much more than just gigs and club nights.

“We’ve now got people making theatre, running workshops, developing projects and using the building every week alongside the live programme. 

“It feels like the creative community around Electric is really starting to take shape, and I’m excited to see what grows from having all these different people working under one roof.” 

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