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A brand new one-man puppetry and clowning epic loosely based on Miguel de Cervantes’ classic, presented by Opposable Thumb Theatre (Coulrophobia, Big Boys Don’t Cry) and Nordland Visual Theatre (Norway), created by Emma Williams, Dik Downey and Chris Collier


In his new one-man show, Dik Downey (Green Ginger, Pickled Image, Opposable Thumb) weaves together the crazed delusions of Don Quixote with his own struggle against reality. With a rogue’s gallery of puppets and desperate clowning, Dik’s Quixote embarks on surreal, comic misadventures, accompanied by his wisecracking sidekick, Sancho Panza, and his decrepit horse, Rocinante. 

While Dik fights to make his retelling of this huge novel joyous to a contemporary audience, we see something else – Dik’s refusal to yield to the passing of time. As Quixote chases his impossible dreams of glory, Dik faces his own dwindling relevance and his mortality. 

This international co-production from the company that made Coulrophobia, a “truly fabulous showcase of clowning and puppetry skills” (Total Theatre), blends laugh-out-loud moments with mad reflections on the joys and indignities of growing old and fighting against the inevitable.

Reviews for Opposable Thumb Theatre:
★★★★★ Total Theatre
★★★★★ Wee Review
★★★★★ The List
★★★★★ Stage Talk
★★★★★ Bristol 24/7
★★★★★ Theatre Bubble
★★★★★ Loud-Word Online

Director:             Emma Williams
Performer:          Dik Downey
Composer:         Simon Preston

  • Dates: Tue 7th - Sat 18th Oct 2025
  • Show time: 7.30pm
  • Tickets: £14-£16 (£12-£14 conc.)
  • Suitable for: Ages 14+
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  • Suitable for: Ages 14+
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Choose a date

Tue 7th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Wed 8th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Thu 9th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Fri 10th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Tue 14th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Wed 15th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Thu 16th October
7:30 pm
£14 (£12 conc.)
Fri 17th October
7:30 pm
£16 (£14 conc.)
Sat 18th October
7:30 pm
£16 (£14 conc.)

Availability