While working in prisons, Maggie Norris realised that a disproportionate number of  inmates were care leavers and that when a young person leaves care it is very easy for them to struggle without the right support. She founded The Big House in 2012 having designed a long term support programme with care leavers, based on their needs.

Phoenix was the first show ever staged by The Big House in 2013 and it was a huge success. It was borne out of the Open House Project – our flagship 12-week programme that includes life and employment skills, rehearsals and a four-week professional production, alongside long term pastoral support. 

The next five years saw a series of site-specific productions, including shows in the basement of the Rio Cinema, underneath Smithfield Meat Market, a Hawaiian restaurant and The Royal Court. We set up The Big House Means Business, which employs our members to lead workshops and performances influence the social care sector and train corporate partners. We have been commissioned by companies all over the UK, in Paris, Sweden, and Hong Kong.

In 2018, we moved into our own home – two renovated frame factories in Islington. It has since been the heart of our dynamic community, where we have staged productions, thrown parties, galas, dinners, careers fairs, and, most importantly, young people can walk into a safe environment as and when they need. 

In 2022, The Big House celebrated its ten-year anniversary and a decade of transforming young lives. We threw a big Open Day celebration for our members, friends, and neighbours. Bloomsbury published an Anthology of five of our plays.