On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, SPLAT!, a vibrant, word-free children’s theatre show celebrating art and creativity, embarks on a UK tour from May to August 2025, inviting kids aged 3–7 and their families to a joyful, accessible adventure in play and imagination.
SPLAT!
A brand-new, joyful, and visually spectacular children’s theatre show, SPLAT!, is set to embark on a UK tour from May to August 2025, visiting over 20 venues across the country. Created for children aged 3–7 and their grown-ups, this high-energy physical comedy celebrates art, creativity, and collaboration in a language-free format, making it naturally accessible to deaf, non-verbal, and non-English-speaking audiences, as well as young children still developing language skills.
Developed by theatre company OfTheJackel in collaboration with award-winning deaf artist and filmmaker Brian Duffy, SPLAT! invites families into a vibrant, interactive world where play and imagination reign supreme. With clowning, movement, and slapstick comedy, the show explores how children make sense of the world through creativity and mess—resonating with post-pandemic conversations about the vital role of play in early childhood development.
A Colourful Journey Through Art and Imagination
Set in a lively artist’s studio, SPLAT! follows two contrasting characters: Tidy, a precise and serious painter, and Messy, a chaotic and mischievous creator. Together, they navigate their differences, taking audiences on a whirlwind journey through the history of art—from ancient cave paintings to modern icons like Banksy. The stage, initially pristine, transforms into a glorious explosion of colour and mess, reflecting the show’s celebration of spontaneity and creative freedom.
The production introduces young audiences to artistic movements such as the Renaissance, Impressionism, Surrealism, Pop Art, and Graffiti, with nods to legendary artists like Van Gogh, Da Vinci, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and Damien Hirst. Through vibrant visuals, music, and surprises, SPLAT! inspires children to embrace their own artistic instincts, echoing Picasso’s famous quote: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”
Accessibility and Inclusivity at Its Core
Devised in collaboration with Brian Duffy, known for creating Small World, the first sitcom in British Sign Language, SPLAT! is a wordless performance that transcends language barriers. This makes it fully accessible to deaf and non-verbal audiences, as well as non-English speakers and young children still learning to communicate. The show’s universal appeal lies in its sensory-rich experience, blending physical comedy, movement, and a vivid colour palette to engage all audiences.
Championing Play in a Post-Pandemic World
SPLAT! was born out of global conversations during the 2020 pandemic, which highlighted the critical role of play in children’s development. Research shows that play enhances cognitive, social, emotional, and physical growth, reduces stress, and builds self-esteem and confidence. Child mental health experts have urged schools to prioritise creative exploration over rigid academic progress, and SPLAT! responds by offering a joyful celebration of imagination and collaboration.
The show’s two characters, Tidy and Messy, embody the brain’s dual nature—one logical and ordered, the other free-spirited and unpredictable. Their dynamic reflects the evolution of artistic movements and the balance between structure and chaos in creativity, making SPLAT! both educational and entertaining.
Meet the Creative Team
SPLAT! is brought to life by a talented team of theatre professionals:
- Director and Lead Creative Jack Kelly: Trained at Ecole Jacques Lecoq in Paris, Kelly has performed internationally with The Flying Seagull Project, working with children in marginalised communities. His solo show Withered Optimism opened the 2022 London Clown Festival and was a finalist for Best Show at the Off West End Awards.
- Performer Jock Maitland: Co-founder of Trunk & Egg, Maitland has toured children’s theatre across Norway and currently works in the learning department at the National Theatre.
- Performer Luke Pitman: A long-time collaborator with OfTheJackel, Pitman has performed in international productions like Treasure Island and Arabian Nights and is helping develop the company’s latest show, Plant.
Tour Details and Why You Should See SPLAT!
From May to August 2025, SPLAT! will bring its infectious energy to 25 UK venues, offering families a unique, interactive theatre experience. This production is more than just a show—it’s a celebration of play, creativity, and the power of collaboration. Perfect for young children and their grown-ups, SPLAT! promises laughter, inspiration, and a reminder that every child is an artist at heart.
May
24th – Everyman Theatre, CHELTENHAM
26th – The Quay Theatre, SUDBURY
27th – Chipping Norton Theatre, CHIPPING NORTON
28th – Theatre By The Lake, KESWICK
30th – Chelmsford Theatre, CHELMSFORD
June
1st – Lakeside Theatre, NOTTINGHAM
7th – Pegasus Theatre, OXFORD
8th – Greenwich Theatre, GREENWICH
July
5th & 6th – Beacon Arts Centre, GREENOCK
7th – Theatre Royal, DUMFRIES
9th – The Gaeity, AYR
10th – The Brunton, HADDINGTON
12th – MAC, BIRMINGHAM
13th – McMillan Theatre, BRIDGWATER
15th – South Hill Park Arts, BRACKNELL
22nd & 23rd – Garrick Studio, LICHFIELD
27th– The Arc, WINCHESTER
31st July – Rosehill Theatre, CUMBRIA
August
2nd – Blackfriars Arts Centre, BOSTON
6th – Civic Theatre, STOURPORT
7th – Exeter Phoenix, EXETER
9th – The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre, HAVANT
10th – Mercury Theatre, COLCHESTER
12th – Woodville Theatre, GRAVESEND
22nd & 23rd – Bellerby Studio, GUILDFORD
Find more from SPLAT! now:
https://www.ofthejackel.co.uk/splat
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