SHOWS
current
JINGLE BELL ROCKS!
20 - 23 Dec 2025 @ARK, Margate
dates: Sat 20th & Sun 21st Dec at 11am and 5pm
and Mon 22nd & Tues 23rd December 2025 at 2pm and 5pm
Venue: ARK - Cliftonville’s Cultural Space, Margate, CT9 2HP
A riotous, fun-filled, punk-spirited hour of live music, laughter and togetherness for families of all ages!
Crank up the Christmas spirit this December with Jingle Bell Rocks!
Expect raucous renditions of beloved Christmas classics, rebellious original bangers, and plenty of glitter-dusted chaos along the way.
Celebrate the season the loud, loving, rock n’ roll way - with guitars, giggles and good cheer!
Created and performed by Margate’s very own Brigitte Aphrodite, Quiet Boy, and
Liv Morris (of fabulous cabaret legends Bourgeois and Maurice - link here).
Everyone welcome, and suitable for all ages!
More info:
🕑Dates & Times:
Sat 20th & Sun 21st December 2025 at 11am and 5pm
Mon 22nd & Tues 23rd December 2025 at 2pm and 5pm
📍Location:
ARK - Cliftonville Cultural Space, Albion Rd, Cliftonville, Margate, CT9 2HP. Google Maps link here.
🎭Tickets
From £7.50, link here, or click the black ‘Buy Tickets’ button above.
Children 3 and under are free when sitting on lap!
🎧Access Notes:
The show will be soundchecked for young ears and a small number of ear defenders will be available, but please bring your own pair if your child has particular sensitivities with sound.
Photo thanks to Siobhan Hogan @shopfloorwhore
Graphic design by Tomas Jefanovas @tomasjef
Outfits by Julian Smith @j.smithstudio
KIDS to the front
2025 - present
2026 Tour coming soon…
KIDS TO THE FRONT
An electrifying gig-theatre show & interactive live band experience celebrating YOUR hometown - full of kindness, fun and electrifying punk vibes.
Discover the new spirit of punk: punk with empathy!
An interactive, inclusive, live band experience designed for all 0-7 year olds and their families.
Acclaimed theatre-makers Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy present their electrifying gig-theatre show, designed for libraries, schools, community centres and theatres, co-created with the children of your hometown; ‘Kids to the Front!’. Directed and co-written by Lucy Thackeray (Doctor Who, Marvel’s Moon Knight, Jurassic World: Rebirth).
Whilst on their tour across the universe, the aliens of The Boogie Woogie Space Junk Band crash-land in your hometown! They’re keen to discover where they are and to find their trusty supersonic space pig, Brian. Only the kids have the energy, uniqueness & magic to propel the Space Junk Band’s debut electro-punk album into the stratosphere!
Originally commissioned and co-produced by The Spark Arts for Children as ‘Les-tah to the Front’ for the city of Leicester, this gig-theatre experience engages and co-creates with children in their own hometown to create an entirely new show every time it’s performed. The show’s title, themes and songs are adapted to wherever the aliens in The Boogie Woogie Space Junk Band land.
The show toured across Leicester in 2025 to more than 10 schools, libraries and community centres in May 2025.
“Les-tah To the Front is the ultimate musical adventure for little ones - packed with amazing live music, bubbles, lights, sensory scarves, and the most incredible performances!
It shares such a heartfelt and joyous message of being unique, sharing kindness and knowing that your voice matters, no matter how small.
The energy, the joy, the magic - it had every child dancing, singing and totally enchanted. A must-see for families - pure theatre magic!” — Two Tykes and a Tail
The Team:
Commissioned and supported by The Spark Arts for Children
Written by Brigitte Aphrodite & Lucy Thackeray
Composition, sound design & musical direction by Quiet Boy
Performed by Brigitte Aphrodite, Quiet Boy, Roxanne Tataei and Dhugal Harrison
Directed by Lucy Thackeray
Access by Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Set designed by Studio Spranks
Costume designed by Ray Prendergast
Production and tour managed by Dhugal Harrison
Produced by WithByFor & Crescendorious
THE CHRISTMAS GOBLIN
dec 2024 - present
2026 tour coming soon…
Previous shows in 2021, originally commissioned by The Marlowe theatre, Canterbury. 2024 shows at ARK, Cliftonville’s Community Centre, Margate.
Illustrated poster design by Studio Spranks, photos by Alex Brenner.
THE CHRISTMAS GOBLIN
“The Christmas Goblin is a glittering rainbow of cheeky surprises, empathy and riot grrrl attitude.” ★★★★★ To Do List. Full review HERE
The Christmas Goblin is a musical adventure of irresistible songs, banging Christmas glitter ball costumes and heartfelt festive cheer by acclaimed Margate gig theatre makers Brigitte Aphrodite & Quiet Boy.
“For us, this is the first show that really feels like it understands the relaxed concept, with the performers’ genuine care and empathy shining through.” To Do List.
When her magical Yia-yia (Grandma) tells 11-year-old Daphne (Marta Miranda) about the ancient Greek myth of Kallikantzaroi (the Christmas Goblin, Sophie Coward), Daphne accidentally unleashes these fabulously mischievous, grotesque creatures on the streets of a snow-covered Margate…
Goblins are mean, nasty, brussels sprout-smelling, untrustworthy things…or are they?
“All combine effortlessly engaging dramatic performance with brilliant musicianship – and the original music is infectious and uplifting.” To Do List
2024 Credits
A 1DegreeEast production.
Co-written by Brigitte Aphrodite & Lucy Thackeray with music composed & performed by Quiet Boy.
Directed by Laura Keefe.
Associate directed by Lucy Thackeray
Daphne: Marta Miranda
Donny: Sophie Cowards
Costume Design: Ray Prendergast
Lighting Design: Malcom Rippeth
Sound Design: Harry Johnson
Production Manager: Thomas Blake
Access Support: Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Producer: 1Degree East
Artwork: Studio Spranks/Sprankenstein Studio
Photos thanks to Stephen Daly
—-
2021 Credits
Originally commissioned by The Marlowe in 2021, a 1DegreeEast production.
Co-written by Brigitte Aphrodite & Lucy Thackeray with music composed & performed by Quiet Boy.
Directed by Laura Keefe.
Daphne: Naomi Morris
Donny: Georgia Bruce
Set/Costume Design: Zoë Hurwitz
Lighting Design: Malcom Rippeth
Sound Design: Harry Johnson
Production/Stage Manager: Jake Macpherson
Producer: Roberta Spicer for 1DegreeEast
Artwork: Sprankenstein Studio
Videography: Chris Duncan, Spark Film Production
Photography: Alex Brenner
Access Support: Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Looking after baby Sappho: Angela Voutsa
A MESSAGE FOR THE FUTURE
2024 - PRESENT
2026 Tour coming soon…
Previous shows at Artsdepot in 2024, then Wed 19 Feb – Sun 23 Feb 2025 as part of Southbank Centre’s imagine Festival 2025.
Explore your magical future garden where you’ll meet a punk poet Dandelion, a rock n roll Minibeast and an operatic super Herb!
A Message for the Future is a multi-sensory art installation and gig theatre experience designed for early years (ages 0-3) and family audiences.
DIY punk poetry gig theatre parents Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy offer a multi-sensory experience that subverts the early years genre through joyful rock n roll storytelling, celebrating a journey of nature and kindness. This calm pocket of punky joy explores a future full of hope, the wonders of the environment, and its unsung heroes.
This experience offers a meditative, immersive, theatrical space in surround sound which explores themes of coexistence with nature and creativity. Combining creativity, community engagement, and artistic innovation, the show nurtures a sense of hopefulness and connection with our little ones and the environment whilst engaging multiple senses – sight, sound, touch, and smell.
Commissioned by artsdepot and Southbank Centre’s Imagine Festival in 2025 to sold-out audiences, A Message for the Future has already captivated and engaged a wide range of families and communities.
Created by Crescendorious with original storytelling and live music by acclaimed Margate gig theatre-makers Brigitte Aphrodite and Quiet Boy. Set design and costumes by internationally renowned set designer and concept artist Lo Lo No, who has collaborated with Lady Gaga, Björk and MTV.
The Team:
Created by Crescendorious. Co-produced by Artsdepot, Southbank Centre, and WithByFor.
Lead Artist / Writer / Performer - Brigitte Aphrodite
Lead Artist / Composer / Sound Designer / Performer - Quiet Boy
Performer & Multi-Sensory Expert - Sophie Coward
Director / Dramaturg - Liv Morris
Set Designer / Costume Designer - Lo Lo No
Prop Maker - Liddy
Production Manager - Blake
Access - Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Mentors - Frozen Light Theatre
Co-Producer - Artsdepot
Co-Producer - Southbank Centre
Co-Producer - WithByFor
Photos & Video thanks to Rosie Powell
Thanks to Windmill Community Gardens, Margate & Helen Smith.
“A powerhouse of kids sensory. What shows should be - awaiting the album!!”
“Phenomenal! Best baby + carer event we’ve been to… a treasure!!”
“Amazing room! My daughter is ASD so this was so calming. I wish more places offered this, thank you! :)”
“I loved the decorations & the music - thanks, best day ever!”
living Legends
(and dead ones too)
2022 - present
Photos above thanks to Rosie Powell, Siobhan Hogan, Andrew Hastings, Cemanthe McKenzie Photography. Illustrations thanks to Megan Metcalf and members of our beautiful audience!
LIVING LEGENDS (AND DEAD ONES TOO)
Join Brigitte Aphrodite on a wild literary gig-theatre cabaret, celebrating Living Legends (And Dead Ones Too) through punk poetry, songs and a massive, evolving art-dress!
“★★★★★
Mini-masterpiece”
The show is a welcoming, captivating, communal experience; a conversation starter, a raucous night out - while breaking the silences of forgotten stories.
With original songs by Brigitte Aphrodite and live music by Quiet Boy, the show riotously explores sung and unsung heroes, featuring Poly Styrene, Aphra Behn, David Bowie and more!
Living Legends discovers local legends from every venue it’s performed at - this time in Crawley - which appear on Brigitte’s beautifully illustrated dress and becomes part of the fabric and conversation of future performances as it tours around the country.
Award winner of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Keep It Fringe Fund 2023.
To Do List - Full review here.
Credits
Songs, Words and Performed by Brigitte Aphrodite
Composition and Guitar by Quiet Boy
Access: Neelam and Adrian Saredia-Brayley
Dress Design: Shop Floor Whore (Siobhan Hogan)
Dress Illustrations: Megan Metcalf
Commissioned by and developed with INN CROWD
Special thanks to Tom Thumb Theatre, Northdown Brewery, 1 Degree East, Angela Voutsa, Nasi Voutsas, Laura Keefe, Sam Ruddock and Sam Steer.
SAD
2021 - present
Poster thanks to Siobhan Hogan & Jade Spranklen (Studio Spranks).
SAD
A gig-theatre show about music, grief and healing.
“A gift to its audience”
Using breath-taking visuals, original music and storytelling, theatre-makers Brigitte Aphrodite and Gaz Tomlinson (Quiet Boy) take the audience on a deeply immersive, personal journey.
Quiet Boy is an alternative theatre composer, songwriter, sound designer and performer who resides in Margate. Alongside born-and-bred Kent artist Brigitte Aphrodite, co-creator of acclaimed theatre shows My Beautiful Black Dog and The Christmas Goblin, they are regarded as one of the original innovators of the ‘Gig Theatre’ genre in the UK.
SAD explores the process Quiet Boy went through when grieving his Mum’s death and how making music and singing became a helpful, therapeutic tool. It is a musically driven experience which explores how life’s natural cycles and grief affects the human condition, as well as how sound/music relates to the part of our brains that affect our chemical & hormone levels.
Inspired by musical artist Nick Cave and the way in which he talks about grief, the show also features powerful voice recordings of real people’s stories. These warm, human voices are interwoven between live music and each voice is represented by a light bulb in the space.
This show offers audiences a moment to look within themselves as well as be held by amazing installations, projection mapping and atmospheric music happening within the space.
Directed by Kirsty Housley (Riz Ahmed’s The Long Goodbye, Tao of Glass, Encounter).
“Grief and cycles is just something that we all share. We all have to go through it... it doesn’t mean that it has to be a lonely place”
SAD Cast & Creative Team
Lead Artists: Quiet Boy & Brigitte Aphrodite
Director: Kirsty Housley
Producer: 1Degree East
Production Manager: Simon Froud
Designer: Jade Spranklen
Research & Access Support: Neelam Saredia-Brayley
Film Maker: Tom Dream
Lighting: Ed Warren
Sound Design: Nick Trepka
Live Sound Engineer: Sean Goldring
Looking after baby Sappho: Angela Voutsa
Stylist: Siobhan Hogan
Make up: Jamiee Rose
Movement Choreography: Jodie Cole and Karl Fagerlund Brekke
PREVIOUS SHOWS
PARAKEEt
2019
“A show fizzing with youth … when these punks sing, the show soars with an energy you could only dream of harnessing.” The Guardian
In Margate, an isolated teenager forms a band and finds her voice with the help of a gang of exotic birds.
Parakeet is a feast for the ears, eyes and heart told through irresistible song, poetry and electronic sounds. Discover the new spirit of punk: punk with empathy.
“Parakeet is a stomping success…When I left, I wanted to go straight back in and watch it again?” Exeunt
A Boundless Theatre and Boom Shakalaka Productions production.
Words by Brigitte Aphrodite with music by Quiet Boy.
Director: Laura Keefe
Production Designer: Alex Noble
“Addressing hot topics from climate change to race, it's a fizzing ball of energy of a show that should get all those who encounter it flying high.” The List
Parakeet was first performed at this year's Edinburgh Festival Fringe and was included in The Guardian, Evening Standard, The Independent, Exeunt, To Do List and Whatsonstage's RECOMMENDED SHOWS at the Edinburgh Fringe.
“A big bundle of gig theatre joy.” Exeunt
★★★★ The List
★★★★ My Fair Theatregoer
★★★★ British Theatre
★★★★ Mind The Blog
My Beautiful Black Dog
2014/15
“Black Dog is what Winston Churchill used to call his depression… I have a beautiful black dog and I called her Creshendorious.”
Part gig, part theatre and a tidal wave of glitter. A poetically wild musical exploring the difficult and beauteous complexity of our fragile minds.
This electrifying show challenges the urgent stigma around mental health and encourages the audience to take ownership over their own black dogs, whilst channelling infectious dance moves, swagger-boss costumes and banging tunes!
“I mean, obviously there are songs and costumes and everything, but it’s all just trappings, really; I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so emotionally honest on stage before.” ★★★★ Exuent Magazine
“Imagine the Mighty Boosh crossed with the best episode of Girls. Prepare to cry and laugh several times over. You’ll leave a better person.” Elle Magazine
“You’ll leave the room beaming.” ★★★★★ Todolist
“My Beautiful Black Dog is a raw show in more ways than one, but the warmth and good feeling that it generates is kind of glorious” ★★★★ The Stage
“It’s Original, Heart-Wrenching and Warming all at Once” ★★★★ The List