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We collaborated with historian Jim Butler and writer and actress Chandini Mistry to bring the story of Tanky Smith to life.

But who was he?

Tanky Smith, often called the Sherlock Holmes of Leicester, was a master of disguise and a skilled detective. His work left a lasting impact on Leicester’s history, and our project delves deep into his fascinating life.

Uncovering the Legacy of Tanky Smith

London Road & The Train Station –

A Hub of Secrets

Tanky Smith wasn’t just a detective; he was a keen observer of people and places. He lived on London Road, a bustling part of Leicester, and frequently used the train station—not just for work travels but as a crucial place to gather intelligence.

At the station, he met a wide range of people, exchanged information, and pieced together clues that helped him crack important cases. This connection between travel, observation, and detective work played a vital role in his investigations.

London Road & The Train Station –

A Hub of Secrets

Tanky Smith wasn’t just a detective; he was a keen observer of people and places. He lived on London Road, a bustling part of Leicester, and frequently used the train station—not just for work travels but as a crucial place to gather intelligence.

At the station, he met a wide range of people, exchanged information, and pieced together clues that helped him crack important cases. This connection between travel, observation, and detective work played a vital role in his investigations.

Theatre on the GO: From Pilot to Reality

Thank you, East Midlands Trains and the Cultural Ambitions Fund from Leicester City Council, for your support!

 

With your help, our pilot project has been successfully completed, and now Theatre on the GO is here to stay!

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You can now book your Theatre on the GO experience on Eventbrite or explore upcoming shows and new performances on our event page: www.grand.org.uk.

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The journey continues—get ready for more exciting theatre in unexpected places! 

A Journey Through Mystery

A Journey Through Mystery" project is supported by East Midlands Trains and the Cultural Ambitions Fund of Leicester City Council. This support enables us to design engaging activities to share Tanky Smith’s story with the public.

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The Mystery of the Missing Stoneygate Jewels -
at Highcross Leicester
Sunday 16 February – Sunday 23 February
2025

Calling all young detectives! The priceless Stoneygate Jewels have vanished, and Detective Tanky Smith needs your help to crack the case. Join this exciting family-friendly mystery trail and uncover the clues to track down the missing treasure.

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How to Take Part

  1. Collect your trail sheet and mini pencil from the Customer Service Desk. On 16 February, you can also pick them up from Detective Tanky Smith himself.

  2. Hunt for nine hidden stickers across Highcross, each containing an important clue

  3. Write down the clues to identify the culprit behind the missing jewels.

  4. Return your completed trail sheet to the Customer Service Desk to claim your reward.

Prizes & Rewards
The first 100 detectives to solve the mystery will receive a Detective Moustache disguise.
All completed entries will be entered into a prize draw to win Theatre on the Go tickets.

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This free and interactive event is the perfect adventure for families, bringing together fun, mystery, and local history.

Join us at Highcross Leicester and help return

the Stoneygate Jewels to their rightful place!​

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Free & Low-Cost Theatre on the Go:

We hosted heritage walking performances around Leicester, making history accessible to everyone.

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Heritage Festival Participation:

We proudly took part in the Heritage Festival, welcoming 953 participants to our walking performances.

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Quiz Night at The Guildhall:

We organised a special quiz night dedicated to Tanky Smith’s adventures, testing knowledge and sparking discussions.

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Detective Badge-Making Workshops -
Investigations Stations

As part of our Detective Badge-Making Workshops, young detectives designed their own unique investigator badges before diving into thrilling mystery cases.

Armed with their new identities, participants worked together to solve crimes, uncover clues, and piece together the truth.

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We’ve solved cases like The Missing Crowns, The Case of the Missing Train Ticket at Leicester Station, The Mystery of the Haunted Library, The Case of the Mysterious Cargo on East Midlands Trains, The Secret Garden Sabotage, and many more thrilling mysteries.

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What can we say?

Leicester is in safe hands now, thanks to our newly recruited detectives!


Every great detective needs a badge, and our young investigators created some fantastic designs! Each badge reflected their unique detective persona, from undercover agents to forensic specialists.

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We loved seeing everyone step into the role of a detective, and we can’t wait for more mystery-solving adventures in the future!

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