Christchurch promoter, events manager and compere Dylan Rees-Coshan, and his 87-year-old great-grandfather have turned a vintage horsebox trailer into a unique travelling stage designed to support grassroots musicians.
Dylan was selected to take part in our CREATE! 2026 course when the horsebox was partially renovated and was looking to gain extra knowledge to take him to the next steps with his project and passion of supporting up and coming musical talent. What began as a simple concept soon evolved into an ambitious restoration project with his great-grandfather, Colin Penny.
Over seven months, the pair lovingly restored a vintage Richardson horsebox trailer, transforming it into what could become Dorset’s smallest live performance venue – now known as The Centaur Stage.
Dylan, who is also a musician himself, said his passion for live music and experience in events management inspired the project.
“My love for live music joined with my background in event management and promotions has pushed me forward in my journey into the music industry,” he said. “Now I have a venue, I cannot wait to see where it can travel.”
The Centaur Stage’s first public outing was at the National Trust’s Corfe Castle for the May Bank Holiday. Three local musicians performed to the admiring crowd, and its presence attracted the attention of regional press.
Dylan credits the CREATE! course in helping him build valuable creative connections: “The CREATE! 2026 course allowed me to meet and collaborate with other creatives, namely panel member Nyah Boston-Shears who I am now working with on the Solstice Sounds event at Sandy Hill Arts… and without the support of my industry network, such as Tor Byrne of We Broke Free, The Centaur Stage would have never come to fruition.”
With restoration complete, The Centaur Stage is now officially available for bookings, with Dylan hoping to take the mobile venue to festivals, community spaces and events nationwide.
“We cannot wait to roll the horsebox out far and wide across the UK,” he said, “bringing a festival wherever we go.”
We look forward to seeing future performances on The Centaur Stage and seeing where Dylan’s ideas and ambition take him next!
CREATE! is a partnership project between Activate, Arts by the Sea and b-side.