WHO WE ARE

Three people smiling and hugging each other at an event, with a stage and lighting equipment in the background.

We are one of the UK’s leading Christian theatre companies, and we use performance to
entertain, inspire and put

Faith at the 4Front

  • Rob Holman

    Artistic Director

    Rob writes the scripts and music for most of 4Front’s shows, but you’ll also find him directing, performing, set-building and whatever else is needed to get a show on the road

  • Nat Holman

    Operations Director

    Nat is the administrative powerhouse that keeps 4Front going, from bookings to tour schedules, casting to costume, none of it would come together without Nat pulling the strings

  • Emily Simpson

    Children’s and Education Officer
    Emily supports Nat with all things admin related, whilst also promoting 4Front at schools, events and churches

  • Our Actors

    We work with numerous professional actors and performers from up and down the UK. While we work with them on a freelance basis, we have many familiar faces work with us time and time again

Almost a decade…

Having met at Regents Theological College on the Performing Arts and Theology course, Rob & Nat, along with a couple of friends, first started 4Front with a show. Combining two passions: performance and Jesus, the ‘Gsus Story’ hit the road. It followed a busker in Jerusalem through the events of Holy Week; what was supposed to be a few weekends turned into about 6 months of touring.

Collage of three scenes from theatrical performances. The first scene shows a man singing and playing guitar on stage with a brick wall background. The second scene depicts a person in camouflage military attire and a girl in a dress acting surprised, with a boy in a suit and teddy bear in the background. The third scene features four young performers dressed as angels singing or reciting on stage with an audience watching.

Some of our first shows: The Gsus Story, Christmas Toys and an Empty Manger and Wingin’ It

Building on the success of our first outing we went on to produce our first Christmas show. People love a panto at Christmas, and we saw a golden opportunity to spread a message of hope, joy and the gospel at Christmas through pant-ivities (panto / nativity). Combining all the fun and silliness of a panto, with the gospel message at the heart of the nativity. This was a tremendous success and was particularly well received in Primary Schools, and laid the foundation for the work we do at Christmas today.

We never set out to form a theatre company, but gradually felt a sense of calling that this is what God wanted us to do. As God made provision, we kept rolling with the momentum…and we haven’t stopped yet; God willing, we will keep doing what we’re doing and continue to create performances and productions that put Jesus and messages of faith at the 4Front.

Let the little ones come to me…

Three men dressed in cosplay or themed costumes, with snorkeling gear, smiling and posing for a photo at an indoor event or convention.
A group of children and adults dressed in costumes and casual clothing, posing in front of a castle-themed backdrop, striking a triumphant pose with fists raised.

Over the years, we’ve experienced real blessing from God in our work for children. We’ve seen so many open doors to work in primary schools and have had amazing successes with our family oriented productions. It’s no surprise then that the bulk of our work is aimed at children. In our musicals and pantos our shows have always particularly appealed to a young audience and this is something we are proud of.

Alongside performing in countless schools, 4Front has had a role to play in the children’s ministry at many festivals and events, including Spring Harvest, CreationFest, the Keswick Convention and more recently Big Church Festival

“If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children for God”
— D. L. Moody, American Evangelist

Lastly, since 2020, 4Front has had it’s very own children’s ministry: Virtual Sunday School. The adventure of Virtual Sunday School, as a YouTube channel and online resource, as well as for in-person events, has been one we’ve been privileged to be on. Our theatrical background and flair brings a whole new dimension to the type of children’s work we do.
For more on Virtual Sunday School, click here

A round graphic with yellow and black border, featuring text that says 'Virtual Sunday School' in bold black letters on a white background with lined paper design.

Musically
Minded

Ever since the Gsus story, 4Front has always told its stories with the help of music. Music speaks to our emotions in a way that words cannot. So you will always find plenty of music in 4Front shows

Four young men performing music outdoors on a city street, with buildings and a red tent in the background. They are playing instruments including an accordion, a drum, and a guitar.
Two men performing outdoors; one playing an accordion, the other playing an acoustic guitar, both singing.
Six actors performing on a stage, with some playing musical instruments, dressed in colorful, casual clothing, with a nautical theme in the background.

No better was this fully realised than with the original touring performance of Fisherman’s Tail. Now one of our flagship schools shows, Fisherman’s originally started off as an actor-musician show with all the music played live on stage. Through guitars, a violin, a double bass, an accordion, various percussion and lots of penny whistles. It was incredibly well received, and critically acclaimed, even gaining 5 star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe; it was eventually adapted to the schools show we tour today. (The sheer logistics on getting a double bass in and out of schools alone was enough to make us switch to backing tracks)

Five musicians on stage celebrating, with the background of a large blue net and music equipment. One is holding a tambourine, another a double bass, one a keyboard accordion, another a guitar, and the woman in the middle is singing or smiling.
A musical performance on an outdoor stage with five performers, including a woman playing the violin and others playing guitar, accordion, and double bass during the Fringe festival in a city street, with signs and crowd surrounding the stage.
A group of twelve actors on stage in a theatrical production, some sitting and some standing, engaged in conversation, with a dark backdrop and wooden structures behind them.
A young woman with red hair, wearing a sunflower-patterned dress, holding a radio microphone to her mouth while sitting behind a vintage radio and microphone on a wooden table. The background features a bamboo wall with a large melon and bowls.

Another real accolade to 4Front was our show Reckless Abandon, which again was very musical in nature. Retelling the inspirational story of Elisabeth Elliot, it featured a 10 strong cast, and was accompanied by original scoring and beautiful choral arrangements of traditional hymns. The powerful emotions at play in the story were elevated by complex harmonies and beautiful singing making for a very moving and compelling piece of theatre. Not only did it tour successfully multiple times, but we enjoyed a fantastic partnership with the Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF), even having the honour of performing alongside Jamie Saint, grandson to one of the original Operation Auca missionaries.

A group of 15 people, smiling and posing for a photo in front of a stage with a large screen displaying the MAF logo and slogan 'Flying for Life'.
Young woman with dark hair wearing a white and blue floral dress speaking in front of audience, with three women standing behind her, in a room with wooden decor and plants.
Group of nine performers standing on stage during a rehearsal or performance.

  • “You entertained, educated and spread the Gospel message as well. High quality children’s theatre and they loved it!”

    Malvern Wyche Primary School

  • "A great resource for churches seeking to share the Good News of Jesus in a relevant way"

    Elim Life Church, Kingstanding

  • "The fact that you manage to hold everyone’s attention from reception's through to year 6 for a whole hour shows how great a show it was"

    Hakwesbury Primary School

  • "the performance had a profound effect on some of the audience. One 8 year old saying that he 'wanted to find out more about this Jesus bloke' the next day he went into town and bought a New Testament!"

    St. Mary’s Church, Kempsey

  • "The way you wove in the gospel so sensitively but boldly at the end was just brilliant. We love you guys”

    Malvern Parish Primary

  • " it was entertaining, clever, well written, well performed & the gospel came through clearly without being either cringy or overpowering - great job all round"

    Shekinah Church, Penzance

  • "Throughout the whole show the smiles didn’t disappear from the children’s faces. And the energy of the team was contagious"

    Newnham St. Peter’s Primary School

  • "It was inspirational from start to finish and carried a wonderful message of hope. And the talent of the people performing was incredible"

    Shell Perris, Imagine Ministries

  • "Funny, engaging for all ages, very well written and acted - and a good balance of humour, slapstick and thought provoking content"

    Cirencester Baptist Church

  • "The children loved the opportunities to join in and even the staff have been humming the songs in the staff room!"

    Ledbury Primary School

  • "Our emotions are stirred, our imaginations ignited, and our souls inspired in a way that even great preaching would struggle to match"

    Pete Read, Vice Principal Regents Theological College

  • "Everyone enjoyed the production and it was great to see the gospel communicated in such a fun, engaging, and thought provoking way. It drew you in and led you to Jesus with laughter."

    St. Mary’s Church, West Horsley