Little Faith – A Story about Lesnes Abbey

Little Faith first existed as a traditional play, commissioned by Lesnes Abbey Woods, with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to commemorate the 500 year anniversary of the dissolution of the Abbey under the order of Cardinal Worsley, and part of a large programme of events. Little Faith has now been turned into an audio play hosted on the Lesnes Abbey Woods website.

Little Faith is a fictional retelling of the days leading up to Lesnes Abbey’s dissolution, written by Piers Black, directed by Nancy Sullivan and produced by Lesnes Abbey’s resident theatre company The Ruined Theatre. Originally written  to be performed live outdoors in the ruins of the Abbey, the first iteration of Little Faith entertained audiences of young and old across the summer of 2025, including a special presentation to over 200 local school children in June 2025.

The story of Little Faith is told from the perspective of three different members of the Lesnes Abbey community in 1825, in the days leading up to the dissolution of the abbey.

This short audio play is a beautiful way to learn more about Lesnes Abbey and its history and importance before it became the beloved Abbey Ruins. Filled with evocative music, comedy and action it tells the story of a community and brings history to life.

Lesnes Abbey Woods and The Ruined Theatre are thrilled to be able to bring Little Faith to you in audio form so that you too can experience what the last days at Lesnes Abbey may have been like. Little Faith is designed to be listened to as you walk through and explore the ruins or listen from the comfort of your own home.

It starts with a procession down the hill, and into the Abbey as a hymn rings out...

Notes to Editors

About The Ruined Theatre

The Ruined Theatre is a Community Interest Company based as Lesnes Abbey Ruins and has been bringing professional family theatre, concerts and theatrical events to Abbey Wood since 2021.