The Bees: a family show with a hive mind

A beehive is a far more interesting place than you might think.

There are social roles, elaborate ways of communicating, collective decisions and, as it turns out, quite a few things we could learn. While we’re still arguing about whose turn it is to take the bins out, bees have long since worked out how to pull together. But how much do we actually know about them? Do they have a sense of humour? And do our lives really depend on theirs? Those questions are at the heart of The Bees,

a new show from 36 Monkeys that brings theatre and science together with a welcome sense of mischief.

It’s the fourth collaboration between ecologist and science communicator Dr Antonia Hubancheva and director Gergana Dimitrova, a specialist in science theatre. Joining them are writer and actor Zdrava Kamenova, set designer Elena Shopova, composer Pavel Terziyski and actor and singer Kristina Topalova, also known as KEYA.

The next performance is on 22 November 2026 at 17:00 at CityMark Art Center.

On stage, we head straight into the bees’ world: the structure of the hive, the roles within it, and the ways these tiny insects communicate, make decisions and get things done together. And yes, there’s room for that question we’ve all heard a hundred times: what would happen to us if the bees disappeared? Recommended by the organisers for ages eight and up,

the show turns scientific facts into an interactive piece of theatre,

without feeling like a biology lesson. Along the way, the conversation opens out into things that concern all of us: how we live together, how we help each other and how a community works when everyone has a part to play. Running time: 65 minutes. Check with the venue about language and accessibility before booking.

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