A crowd on the towpath watching a band play from Widgeon

Now moored at King's Cross, Regent's Canal

The Widgeon Theatreboat is an 89-year-old historical working narrowboat that moves across the UK waterways.

Widgeon's stage platforms all genres of Live Music, Theatre, Comedy, Storytelling and much more. Punk, Folk, Jazz to Opera, Rock, Community projects, “Youth-Sayers”. With Theatre shows, Puppet shows, street artists, Comedy Nights, Workshops.

Open as a café / bar / shop. Welcome aboard as she travels along, introducing you to all genres of theatre, music and comedy, supporting grassroots arts.

What's On Listen to Widgeon Airwaves

Nine seasons on the waterYear ten starts nowWidgeon turns 90 in 2027

What's On

Coming up next

Book tickets for upcoming shows

Next show

Open Mic Night for theatre acts

Thursday 19 November · 7.30pm to 10.30pm · Entry £10

Hosted by Nicole Palomba. Up to 5 minutes per act. The café and bar open from 2pm.

Want a slot? Apply to perform here.

Book tickets · £10

Or pay by card with SumUp

Coming up

Christmas Wreath Making

Saturday 21 November · 2pm · £43 per person

Learn to make your own fresh Christmas wreath on board Widgeon, take it home, and enjoy a glass of mulled wine while you work.

Includes a warm festive drink (mulled wine or hot chocolate) and a mince pie.

Book tickets · £43

Or pay by card with SumUp

Online course

Narrowboat Compass: Choose and Buy Your First Narrowboat

Three live Zoom lessons · Black Friday price £47 when you book by 30 November

Choose your dates: early December, between Christmas and New Year, or January 2027.

Learn which boat suits the life you want, what it really costs to run, and what to check before you buy. From nearly 14 years of living aboard.

Find out more

Most recent show

The High Town Crows

Sunday 6 September 2026 · Live on the outdoor stage, King's Cross

See more on Instagram

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Past shows

Over 70 shows since 2017

Our touring musical

The Grit of Life

Mj's musical celebrating the history of the canals, written and directed by John Knowles with songs by Rory McLeod. It toured the waterways in 2021, and we hope to stage it again for Widgeon's 90th.

Widgeon Airwaves

Our own radio station, live from the boat

An eclectic mix from our top-notch DJs and presenters, with regular weekly shows and a big archive of past sessions.

Widgeon Airwaves LiveTap play to listenOpen in a new tab

Want to be on air? We're always looking for DJs and presenters of any style, and we take original independent music for our Under The Radar Grass Roots Radio playlist. Get in touch.

Our shows

Roots LockerRegular show
Roots Locker WestRegular show
Reggae SessionRegular show
Phuture DubRegular show
On U Sound Sunday RoastRegular show
Listen To The BlazingRegular show
Delightful ImperfectionsRegular show

Trip SessionsArchive

Size SessionsArchive

Psy Boutique SessionsArchive

Wobbly SessionsArchive

AddSimoneArchive

Odo the Purple WizardArchive

Sean SpindriftArchive

Gallery

Nine seasons on the water

Every album in one place, newest first. Tap an album to see its photos.

Private Hire

Hire Widgeon for your event

Talks
Comedy
Cabaret
Weddings
Birthdays
Live music
Wreath workshops
Puppetry
Corporate events
Filming, like the Sidemen Challenge

Indoor stage for up to 35 people
With the bar in the bow, and the covers on or off depending on the weather.
Outdoor stage
Shows for as big an audience as can safely sit on the banks of the waterway.

Tell us your plans and we'll come back with a quote for your brief.

Performers on Widgeon's outdoor stage at King's Cross

Two singers on the outdoor stage on Widgeon's roof

An audience on the canal bank watching an outdoor show

About Us

From cargo boat to floating stage

Widgeon was built by Yarwood of Northwich in 1937 as a cargo vessel, and travelled the waters from the North to the South of England, freighting sand and gravel and carrying people who love the waterways. She once carried cargo; now she carries the arts.

She was sunk and then raised again. She gave Girl Guides and Scouts great adventures in the '70s, was home to a wonderful family in the '80s. After that, another boating family cared for her. Working with the late boatbuilder Keith Bourne, they lovingly restored her historic hull, back cabin and engine, and took her proudly to historic working boat rallies, until they passed the baton to Mj, who became her guardian in July 2016 and gave her a new life on stage. Now she is working again, supporting grassroots arts of every kind alongside local communities.

Girl Guides beside Widgeon in the 1970s — Guides and Scouts, '70s

Widgeon's painted bow in the past — Family boat, '80s

Poling Widgeon along the canal — On the cut

Widgeon moored among reeds — Waiting for her next life

Working with

Arts Council England
Canal & River Trust
Music Venue Trust
Night Time Industries Association

1937
Built by Yarwood of Northwich as a cargo boat.
1970s–80s
Adventures for Girl Guides and Scouts, then a family home.
Before 2016
Restored with boatbuilder Keith Bourne and shown at historic working boat rallies.
July 2016
Mj Morgan becomes Widgeon's guardian.
October 2017
Widgeon opens as a theatre boat in Berkhamsted.
January 2018
She arrives in London for the first time.
February 2018
Live folk music plays to a full house, even with two feet of snow outside.
July 2019
Off to Bristol for the Bristol Shakespeare Festival, with three plays written and directed by John Knowles.
2020
Widgeon heads to Coventry and joins the festival line-up for Coventry's City of Culture celebrations.
2021
On tour with The Grit of Life, Mj's musical celebrating the history of the canals.
2022
Widgeon Airwaves, supported by Arts Council England.
2023–2025
Comedy nights, live music, Christmas wreath workshops and IWA Canalway Cavalcade.
2026
Back at King's Cross for her ninth season.
2027
Widgeon turns 90. We hope to take her home to Northwich, where she was built, to celebrate.

What people say

Brilliant, unique, intimate

“What a brilliant, unique venue, intimate, passionate and rocking. Well worth finding this 71ft long historic vessel and having a totally immersive time.”
Sarah Lovett

“AN ABSOLUTE MUST!!! Atmospheric unique canal boat to enjoy theatre, music and all the amazing events.”
Penelope Cooke

“Brilliant atmosphere, quirky events, lovely staff. You will have a fine and original outing to the Widgeon Theatre Boat.” ★★★★★
Frank Cutter

“A fantastic and unique space. Hope to attend more events there.”
Kerstin Exner

“Great venue – cozy, intriguing, inspiring!”
Raven Kaliana

Help keep her afloat

Every donation keeps this grassroots venue alive

We're proud to have got this far, and very grateful to the boating community and to the residents of every area Widgeon has performed in. All donations go to keeping her open for everyone to enjoy, on the way to her 90th birthday.

Donate via Crowdfunder