At Stuff and Nonsense we are all about play, connecting creativity and imagination, so that children and adults can learn together and inspire each other.

Led by Artistic Director Niki McCretton, we work with children, families, artists and theatres across the globe to make memorable and rewarding shows. Together we share the power of great imagination.

We are passionate about children’s creativity and we place it at the heart of what we do. We work with incredible artists to make outstanding theatre that excites children and enables adults to become seriously playful.

Founded in 2000, Stuff and Nonsense has since been at the forefront of family theatre, leading the way in energetic, thought-provoking and playfully mischievous productions, full of fantastic puppetry and physical action.

With several original productions in our repertoire, our contemporary take on well-known tales including The Adventures of the Little Red Hen, The Gingerbread Man, The Enormous Turnip, The Elves and The Shoemaker and The Emperor’s New Clothes has enabled us to become one of the UK’s most popular and highly regarded family theatre companies.

We have performed to over 320,000 people nationwide since 2010 with return visits to many venues including Theatre Royal Plymouth, New Wolsey Theatre, Octagon Theatre, Yeovil and many others. We are very popular at Christmas and often present several productions across the UK at once!

Based at the beautiful Lyric Theatre in Bridport, Stuff and Nonsense is an @HOME Artist at The Point Eastleigh and has significant producing partnerships with Theatre Royal Plymouth and Lighthouse, Poole.

We became a charity in 2019 and work closely with our board of trustees, chaired by Thomas Fowler (Dorset CC Children’s Services). Our patron is Chris Chibnall (Dr Who, Broadchurch and Torchwood).

We have a strong track record of securing funding support from a variety of sources including public funds through Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, Ragdoll Foundation and the Foyle Foundation.