Chrysalis Retreat

Discover what unfolds when you give yourself the gift of space and time.   

Monday 20 - Friday 24 January 2025 - APPLICATIONS CLOSED

Winter invites us into a season of rest and reflection—a special time to turn the soil in preparation for new growth and future endeavors. Just as nature enters a dormant phase, we too can embrace this period of intentional stillness and contemplation: like caterpillars deep in the leaves, reforming before emerging as butterflies. We would love for you to join us this January on Improbable’s inaugural Chrysalis retreat; a week-long residency that feels like a cosy cocoon, where you can wrap yourself in your ideas, projects, and practices, and discover what unfolds when you give yourself the gift of space and time.   

This retreat isn’t about rigid schedules or formal teachings; think of it as a nurturing space being held for you to explore and dream into the stories you’ve been longing to tell, and to play with both new and familiar practices. While we’ll have expert facilitators available to support you, this is also an opportunity to be your own guide and follow your own instincts, creating a time for rest, reflection, and rejuvenation.  

Hosted by Varshini Pichemuthu and SL Grange—both seasoned facilitators and creative practitioners—the Chrysalis Retreat is perfect for anyone in need of dedicated time to dream collaboratively about personal projects.   

You’ll have the freedom to choose how to spend your time. There will be optional creative sessions and mentoring if you’re looking for encouragement and feedback, playfulness or inspiration, but you're also welcome to find your own rhythm and spend time cocooning in the peaceful grounds of Bore Place. Here, you’ll find cozy corners by the fireside, invigorating outdoor spaces, plenty of room to play, delicious food, and companions to share in the journey.  

For over 30 years, Improbable has grown into a theatre company that defies categorization, producing everything from Olivier-award winning operas to large-scale outdoor spectacles and celebrated theatre worldwide. We also work with businesses, charities, and the cultural sector to facilitate spaces for positive change and lead skills development programs for artists.   

At the core of our practice is improvisation, which ties all our work together. Whether on stage, in workplaces, or within our organisation, the practice and philosophy of improvisation is central to our creative process. By "improvisation," we mean any emergent or iterative process that seeks to bring awareness to each unfolding moment, understanding that positive change does not come from a single person, group, or ideology but emerges from the symbiotic interactions between us. We’ll be bringing this same spirit to the retreat, both in terms of the kinds of processes on offer to inspire and support you, and in the freedom to follow your instincts and seek what you want and need to do your best work, rest and play throughout the week.  

This residency is open to anyone who has an idea, project or dream that they’d like to work on, think about, cuddle up with, or take on long frosty walks. You might also have a block or be looking for a new spark and just want a bit of room to breathe and find out what arrives when you make space for it. Join us and see what unfolds.  

Applications are now closed.

Other Improbable Workshops

Arts Leaders Residency

2-6 December 2024

Get Sh*t done, differently.  

Creating space to connect, collaborate and work on your knottiest issues.

Through the Door

17 November 2024 - 19 January 2025

Workshops for women, non-binary and trans people who are actors, improvisors and theatre-makers at all levels of experience led by Creative Facilitator Angela Clerkin with guest facilitators.

Feedback from previous Improbable residencies:

“An expansive and exploratory community building workshop, that celebrates stepping outside of the constraints of the everyday timetabled working/learning world - you may learn some new skills from experts in improvisation, develop your practice with gentle exercise that are at times subtle, sometimes profound, and quite often fun, and you may discover unexpected things about yourself.” - Summer Workshops 2024 participant   

“The whole workshop is more akin to standing in the flow of a river and experiencing whatever happens, it might take you somewhere, it might not, but you will meet some interesting people, have some great conversations, laugh, cry, play, eat well, sleep in a comfortable bed, and be in a really beautiful setting with the most glorious gardens that you are free to explore and commune with as part of the workshop.” - Summer Workshops 2024 participant

  • Monday 20 – Friday 24 January 2025

    The week will run from Monday lunchtime – Friday lunchtime with time to travel to and from. Further details on the schedule will be shared as applications open.  

  • The Chrysalis Retreat is residential at Bore Place. We will stay in the Main House and sessions will take place in the Large Barn and across the site.   

    All food is provided in partnership with Bore Place and communal cooking and eating will be part of our time together. All dietary requirements can be catered for.  

    Transport will be provided from Sevenoaks station at the start and end of the week or you are free to make your own way to us, there is free parking onsite.  

    Address: Bore Place Road, Chiddingstone, Edenbridge TN8 7AR 

  • There will not be a rigid schedule and the timings will be flexible and group-led. The week will include a mix of creative sessions, mentoring, provocations, collaborative and solo working sessions. You will be able to move in and out of these at your choosing, it will be flexible. The week will include;  

    • Up to twelve sessions across the five days led by Improbable’s Varshini Pichemuthu and SL Grange.  

    • 4 nights’ accommodation at Bore Place. There will be options for single or shared rooms with different price points. You will be able to make preferences for this as you apply. Bathrooms are shared.    

    • All meals and refreshments throughout the week are catered for. You will also have access to the kitchen if you wish to use it too. Communal cooking and eating will be part of our time together.  

    • Transport to/from Sevenoaks station on arrival and departure days. 

    We ran a Q&A session on Monday 25th November. To access the FAQs from this session, please click here.

  • £1950+VAT for a single room  

    £1450+VAT for a shared room  

    VAT is charged at 20%. The law requires UK traders with turnover above the VAT threshold to register for VAT and charge it on supplies of goods or services.

  • Full information on the accessibility of the site at Bore Place can be found on the Bore Place websitehere.

    There will be a section on the application form for you to let us know what you need to work best. If you would like to discuss your access requirements, or have any questions about the site or the week before you apply then please get in touch with us on kathryn@improbable.co.uk.  

  • Applications are now closed