Quirk Theatre

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Quirk Theatre

Quirk make magical, meaningful theatre shows for all ages. Exeter based theatre company led by Simon At Quirk we make great theatre for all generations.

A real treat that will gladden the hearts of all family members. We have built up a loyal following of family audiences and school groups and are proud that close to four thousand people come to see our Christmas show every year. We write and devise the script, create original music and make the set and props. We believe that strong storytelling and honesty in performance underpin good theatre; th

is doesn’t mean that our shows aren’t a good lark, but it does mean that we want to make something that will endure in people's memories, and create a love of theatre in our younger audience members that will last a lifetime

22/05/2026

📣We're hiring!

Quirk Theatre is looking for a Production Assistant: Sustainability & Sourcing to join us on YETI, our new Christmas show at Exeter Phoenix for 2026.

This is a freelance, task-based role for someone with a background in theatre or film production who is passionate about sustainable practice and knows how to source creatively. You'll lead on our Green Book data, support our designer with sourcing, and manage the rehoming of materials at the end of the project.

📋 10 days total, spread flexibly from July 2026 – January 2027
💚 £1,390 fee (£139/day)
🚗 Must be based in the South West and drive with own vehicle

We'd especially love to hear from freelancers from underrepresented and Global Majority backgrounds.

This role is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through .

The full brief and how to apply here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IdMQvfVm4OhaD0HKHPSwHLtl1iUdnefv5fqB7ldLStU/edit?usp=drivesdk

Applications close 23.59, 18th June 2026.

20/05/2026

We have been having SUCH a wonderful time collaborating with the incredible Happiness Outdoors Project on our YETI co-creation workshops!

This week, Jonny Wharton (project composer) and Simon Hall (project legend) popped along to Ladysmith Juniors to make musical magic in the outdoors. Costumes were made out of leaves, lullabies were played to sleeping yetis and many yeti dances were choreographed! Gorgeous! (And the rain didn't stop the fun either).

Every session directly feeds the creation of the show, allowing us to weave the ideas, dreams and dances of young people into the writing of YETI. What a privilege to immerse ourselves in the imaginative world of our young audiences, who have so much to teach us about acceptance, collaboration and community.

We are so inspired by the work of the Happiness Outdoors Project, and we have loved to opportunity to bring story, character, music and imagination to their already fantastic sessions. If you haven't checked out their work before, nows the ti

https://happinessoutdoorsproject.org/

08/05/2026

Here at Quirk, we all grew up with Sir David Attenborough. Even though our team is made up of people of all different ages and backgrounds, he has been a part of all of our childhoods. His lifelong commitment to telling the story of nature, to surfacing the wonder and leading the way in how we preserve it's magic has influenced all of us right down to our very atoms.

And the shows we make owe a huge debt of gratitude to this wonderful human. We tell stories that try to capture the absolute wonder of our incredible planet and our characters are often deeply rooted in the natural world. Like Dayzee & the World of Tomorrow, where a 100 year old Welsh Oak tree told us amazing tales of a positive future. Or Rhia & the Tree of Lights where we met a David Bowie sea slug, a sleepy Carder Bee and a night flowering jasmine that finally bloomed. Not to mention Mary the amazing pigeon and the Puffins of Puffin Island. We ARE nature. And Sir David taught us everything we know.

So we join the millions of others in wishing this incredible human the happiest 100th birthday. 🌍

07/05/2026

Just when you thought the announcements couldn't get any exciting-er...

WE ARE ARTS COUNCIL FUNDED, BABY!

And that funding allows us to make a brand new, brilliant show with these brilliant artists. And some that we haven't met yet! Stay tuned for some more exciting announcements about the project, open calls for team members and behind the scenes nonsense.

Arts Council England

05/05/2026

It’s time for the big reveal 🥁 ✨

We are very excited to announce that the x Exeter Phoenix festive show 2026 is:

YETI 🎄💜

It’s deep winter ❄️ and the townsfolk of Little Trusting are busy preparing for their favourite time of year. Twinkling lights are being hung, wintry songs are being sung 🎶 and festive gifts are being… brung 🎁

Everything is just as it should be.

Until something rather large, rather hairy, and rather smelly, moves into the nearby forest. And the townsfolk suddenly find themselves face to face with a surprising new neighbour. Now strange things are happening. Biscuits have been snaffled 🍪 Socks have gone missing 🧦 Something must be done! So a brave band of adventurers set off on a thrilling quest to find … the YETI 👀

Sun 13 Dec - Sun 27 Dec | 1.30pm / 4pm | Tickets from £12

📣 EARLY BIRD OFFER 📣

Book before midnight on Tue 12 May to get £2 off each ticket! Discount applies at checkout. Valid on peak and off peak tickets.

🎟️ Now on sale at: exeterphoenix.org.uk/events/yeti

Supported by the Arts Council England Lottery Fund.

Artwork by Niaski

29/04/2026

Something BIG is coming... 👀 👀

Something Christmas show shaped... 🎄🎄

Announcing in T-minus 6 days... 🚀 🚀

27/04/2026

Something big is coming ... 👀 👀

A big ANNOUNCEMENT... 📣 📣

Any guesses what it might be ??? 👣 👣

27/03/2026

HAPPY WORLD THEATRE DAY!

And for us here at Quirk, we are NOTHING without our brilliant teams! Every single show we make is there because a crack team of creatives gathering around a crazy idea and giving it their all. Late nights, long days, fuelled by biscuits- you’re all AMAZING. So many not pictured here, but once a Quirk, always a Quirk 💚

And of course we are REALLY nothing without our audiences. It’s a tough time to be making theatre and we are so grateful for all the ways that our audiences champion what we do. So for every ticket, every laugh, every clap, woop and share this world theatre day….

…. THANK YOU! We couldn’t do it without you

21/01/2026

Hopping on the 2016 bandwagon (fashionably late) to share a gorgeous Quirk throwback. This little explorer, seen here adventuring across the ice on our first Ernie set, is now nearly 10 years old! And he is still just as likely to be found exploring the Quirk sets 10 years on!

And he's not the only precious being in this picture who is nearly ten. The lovely Mrs Chippy is ALSO soon to celebrate her birthday. What a cat.

#2016

28/12/2025

And that’s a wrap on Ernie & The Sea Of Ice! The set is dismantled, the props are packed and Mrs Chippy is off to live in Simon’s shed for another 9 years. It’s a bit sad… but oh what a wonderful adventure it has been!

We have loved sharing this ridiculous, miraculous, penguinous story with you all. So thank you to everyone who has rowed with us, cheered for us, sung with us and laughed along. We very much hope to see you next year.

What a team! What a crew! Full steam ahead!

Address

Exeter Phoenix Arts Centre
Exeter

Telephone

+447988418033

Website

http://www.quirktheatre.co.uk/

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