Rocket Fuel as part of MoonFest at Midlands Arts Centre. Photo: Jess Oates.
Little Earthquake produces the work of theatre-makers Gareth Nicholls and Philip Holyman in collaboration with communities, participants and other artists.
Collectively we make theatre and cross-artform cultural experiences that are bold, entertaining, thoughtful and transformative for people in Birmingham and the Midlands.
“Thou Shalt Not Bore” is our only commandment.
Gareth Nicholls (he/him)
Producer, Director, Deviser & Facilitator
Gareth has co-led all of Little Earthquake’s projects to date. He specialises in directing, devising and facilitation. Alongside his work with Little Earthquake, he is Chair of the Independent Theatre Council (ITC), the management association for the independent performing arts sector.
Philip Holyman (he/him)
Producer, Writer, Dramaturg & Facilitator
Philip has co-led all of Little Earthquake’s projects to date. He specialises in writing, dramaturgy and facilitation. Alongside his work with Little Earthquake, Philip is Chair of the John Feeney Charitable Trust, and was a Trustee of the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) between 2016 – 2022.
THE 3 VALUES THAT FRAME OUR WORK:
OUR RECENT PROJECTS:
THE 3 VALUES THAT FRAME OUR WORK:
INTERGENERATION
We’re a leading creator of work that brings together people of different ages. Their lived experiences, references and responses will be uniquely individual, but the communal experience is something they can share, enjoy and reflect on together.
INTERDISCIPLINARY
We bring together teams integrating different specialisms and expertise from within and beyond the cultural sector. External partnerships with venues, artists, cultural organisations and education institutions are central to these collaborations, as exemplified by our Strategic Partnership with Midlands Arts Centre.
INTERSECTIONAL
We place great care into embracing how each person has multiple aspects to their identity and lived experience. The work we make, who we make it with and the way we make it develop as a result of this approach.
OUR RECENT PROJECTS:
THE DOG WITH TWO DADS
A Little Earthquake Production
Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre as part of its 60th Anniversary Celebrations
“Commissioned in response to increasing anti-LGBTQ+ protests and sentiment within our region, I’m immensely proud of this show. It is beautiful, funny and heart-breaking. It cares deeply for the audience and provides hope for a kinder, more inclusive future for our community.” – Deborah Kermode, MAC Chief Executive & Artistic Director
Ali and Ash are living happily ever after in their teeny tiny flat. Only one thing would make them even happier — the pitter-patter of furry feet! Even though it’s a big step, they know they’re ready to become #pawrents for the very first time! But to their surprise, not everyone thinks it’s such a great idea…
Come and join Ali and Ash on their quest for puppy love as they battle with burpees at Bradley’s Bootcamp, dodge dangerous ducks with Tina Twitcher and flee from the Pet Shop Boy’s pack of piranhas. Sprinkled with songs and special surprises, this brand-new show about two papas and a pooch celebrates families of every shape and size, and being loved for exactly who you are.
For children aged 3-7 and their adults.
THE STOLEN YEAR
A Little Earthquake Installation
Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre as part of Celebrating Age
“The Stolen Year is a witty, moving and wholly authentic glimpse into the lives of a diverse range of older people experiencing the COVID lockdown. The work is original in form and enthralling for young and old audiences alike. This is amongst the best work I’ve seen that involves Elders in its co-creation” – Kate Organ, Churchill Fellowships Advisory Council
The Stolen Year was a theatrical installation which celebrated and shared the often-overlooked stories of Birmingham’s contemporary older generation during an intense period of global upheaval.
We spoke to older people in Birmingham to hear their perspectives on this “stolen year” of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions — looking at what has been gained and what has been lost, thinking about how life has been better and how it has been worse, and what will change as a result of everything we have all gone through.
Their experiences have been as individual as they are as people. But whether they’ve been feeling liberated or isolated — reduced to tears or sparkling with gratitude — harvesting epic crops of beans or binge-watching Dr. Pimple Popper — what’s emerged amongst them all is a determination to draw on their own resources and to truly appreciate everything that’s good in their lives.
ROCKET FUEL
A Little Earthquake Production in association with Kaye Winwood Projects
Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre as part of MoonFest
An immersive theatrical dining experience inspired by Neil Armstrong’s in-flight menu during his journey to the Moon.
In space, no one can hear your tummy rumble. And on a trip lasting 102 hours, you’re bound to get a little bit peckish. Little Earthquake teamed up with gastronomartist Kaye Winwood to create a delectable dining experience that was truly out of this world.
Rocket Fuel was a 90-minute edible adventure in which our guests joined us for an 8-course theatrical dining experience, taking them to the Moon and back again without ever needing to leave the comfort of their seats.
Guided by our trusty Flight Director, the performance compressed the Apollo 11 mission into a single spectacular event — combining surround sound, projection, live cameras and performers — leading guests all the way from the tense build-up on launch day right through to the celebration parades on the crew’s triumphant return.
At each stage of the astronauts’ journey, our guests were treated to exciting things to eat and drink, inspired by Neil Armstrong’s actual in-flight meal plan and by the dramatic events of the mission itself.
MOONFEST
Produced by Little Earthquake
in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre and the University of Birmingham
2019 marked the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo 11 mission, which saw a trio of plucky astronauts blasting off on an epic journey to the Moon.
Neil Armstrong’s “one small step” onto the Moon’s surface really had been “one giant leap” for everyone back down on Earth. Because if we could send someone to the Moon and bring them safely back again, surely anything was possible. And faced with an increasingly challenging future (then and now), this magnificent event illustrated what we can accomplish when we set our minds to it — and when we work together.
Little Earthquake has one commandment — Thou Shalt Not Bore — and MoonFest was designed to offer thought-provoking and entertaining ways to connect with this landmark event. Residents of Birmingham were encouraged to make their own creative contributions to artworks and activities which drew on their memories of the past, perspectives on the present and visions of the future.
Our festival began on the same day that Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins launched into space 50 years ago, and concluded on the day they splashed down into the Pacific Ocean at the end of their fantastic voyage. For nine special days, we wanted to make Birmingham a place for looking back at a dramatic period in human endeavour and looking ahead at the future of our place in the universe.
MoonFest was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to capture, commission and celebrate local responses to this iconic global event.
THE BOY WHO BECAME A BEETLE
A Little Earthquake Production in association with Black Country Touring
“This will undoubtedly be one of the memories of school and childhood that remains with the Young Producers – a sense of having made a contribution to something rare and special for their school and community at an extraordinary level of accomplishment.” – Kate Organ, Independent Evaluator
Greg’s an ordinary boy, much like any other. At least, he was… Until this morning.
When he wakes up with clacking pincers on his head, a huge heavy shell on his back and six spindly legs with a mind of their own, life’s about to get a whole lot trickier.
How will he get dressed? Eat his breakfast? Go to the loo? What will his family do when he scuttles out of his bedroom? And how will the rest of the world react to this creepy crawly crisis?
When the villainous Beetle Buster shows up with his Verminator machine, Greg must choose between hiding in the shadows or embracing his new life as a great big mini-beast, supported by his plucky little sister and a perky puppet dog.
With live music, a sprinkling of songs, riotous action and thrilling transformations, The Boy Who Became A Beetle is a funny, messy and moving new show for everyone who knows what it’s like to feel different.
The Boy Who Became A Beetle was created as part of our year-long Young Producers project.
100 pupils in five Black Country primary schools became Young Producers, working with Little Earthquake and Black Country Touring to commission and create a brand-new piece of theatre for family audiences.
The Young Producers were involved in every element of the theatre-making process: from choosing the show idea and developing the story, through to recruiting the cast and creative team, contributing ideas for the design and music, and, finally, to hosting and promoting a performance in each of their own schools as part of its initial tour.
EAST MEETS WEST
Curated by Little Earthquake
A five-year Midlands-wide sector support programme that encouraged collaboration between and within the East and West Midlands, cementing the foundations of a more proactive, democratic and supportive community.
The programmes of work for East Meets West included industry conferences, artist and programmer development schemes, and the launch of an online hub to share resources and best practice.
