Two years ago, Opposable Thumb Theatre brought their show Coulrophobia back to Bristol for what they believed to be the the last time. However, after an invitation to Tokyo to perform the show, there came multiple invitations to mainland Europe – with many supporters of the show saying that if it were to come back to Bristol they would come and see it again in a heartbeat.
We asked Producer Ali Robertson and performer Dik Downey to chat to us about why they are back at TFT for one final time with this brilliant show, and why this full circle means so much to them.
In 2015, Coulrophobia was performed at Tobacco Factory Theatres during a particularly significant moment in the venue’s history: it marked the start of the expansion plans and the capital development that ended up in the curating the Spielman Theatre as it now is.
For Ali, who was nearing the end of a decade as Director at TFT, it was a reflective period – taking stock and making plans. Ali recalls going into the show without strong expectations. “I wasn’t particularly looking out for Coulrophobia,” he says, “I thought it would be decent enough.”
What followed took him completely by surprise. “It totally blew me away,” he remembers. “I have a snapshot memory of sitting there open-mouthed, thinking this might be the best thing that’s been on at TFT at that time – then almost immediately being pulled into another huge belly laugh.”
The impact was immediate and unmistakable. After the performance, Ali went straight to creators Dik and Adam to tell them they had made something exceptional. At that point, none of them could have known the journey ahead: more than a decade of touring, taking the show from Taunton to Tokyo (and everywhere in between).
Looking back, we asked Ali to reflect on the importance of the show’s origins. “It’s something to be proud of for Bristol,” he says. “So often, brilliant work is made that doesn’t travel beyond the city. It’s wonderful that this show – one that really feels like it could only have been made here – is now being seen all over the world.”
Dik described to us just how wide-ranging that journey has been. “We’ve been incredibly lucky,” he says. “We’ve performed in places as varied as a fishing village in the Arctic Circle to a sold-out theatre in Tokyo where Japanese translations were projected above us.”
Language has rarely been a barrier. “We even performed in Transylvania,” Dik adds, “where no one spoke English, but afterwards everyone told us it was completely understandable anyway.”
“What’s so interesting is discovering how well-known Bristol is wherever we go due to the music created here, Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, Roni Size etc. And [because of] of Aardman Animation. You only have to mention Shawn The Sheep and people go into raptures about it.”
“It’s great to talk about what Bristol has to offer and in particular to tell people about Puppet Place, where Opposable Thumb are based. It’s such a unique institution. I don’t know anywhere else in Europe where there are 22 people all working as freelancers specialising in puppetry and animation working in such an interesting building. Puppet Place is a charity organisation dedicated to supporting puppetry in The South West with about 50 associate members.”
After 11 years on the road, Coulrophobia continues to change with every performance. Ali explains: “It keeps evolving. It’s snappier in some ways, but depending on audience interaction it can sometimes run twenty minutes longer than expected.”
That flexibility has become part of its identity. “Over the years it’s become richer because the performers are so comfortable with it,” he says, “but also because the company is ruthless about cutting what doesn’t work and always open to new ideas.”
Returning to Tobacco Factory Theatres this Spring brings everything full circle.
“This is where it all started, It’s wonderful to be back. It’s going to be a total blast.”
Coulrophobia will be on the Factory Stage from the 30th April – 2nd May.
An 80-minute show featuring slapstick, mime, puppetry and a LOT of cardboard. Contains disappointing nudity and some language better suited to those aged 14+.
To book tickets, click here
Posted on 21 April 2026
