Great Big Tiny World

Information about suitability:

Baby

Audience feedback

"Utter sorcery... an exceptional, joyfully sensory experience for babies".

Rating 5 stars

Everything Theatre
Great Big Tiny World Trailer


About Great Big Tiny World

We’re growing a new world…

Welcome to this great, big, tiny world. It may be very old, but for us it’s brand new.

Settle in amongst hundreds of real plants, to watch, hear and feel the world come to life all around you. Here we’re all a connected ecosystem, where the magic happens somewhere between us.

Filled with beautiful sounds, scents, music, shadows and sensory objects, even the tiniest things play an important part. The world is different, now you are here.

Created by internationally acclaimed sensory theatre company Oily Cart, especially for babies aged 0-12 months and their adults.

an exceptional, joyfully sensory experience for babies★★★★★ Everything Theatre

Inspired by When the World Turns, a collaboration between Oily Cart (UK) and Polyglot Theatre (AUS)



FAQs

  • Who is the target audience of Great Big Tiny World? Can my baby see the show?

    Great Big Tiny World has been created for and with babies aged 0-12 months and their adults.

  • How long is the show? 

    The show is 45 minutes long  

  • Are there any preparation resources, like a social story / visual guide?  

    Yes, there’s an Audience Booklet that includes a social story. You can view the Audience Booklet near the bottom of this webpage, and you will also be given a copy on the day of the performance. We will also have Baby book that you can take home to continue and experience the Great Big Tiny World experience. While travelling to the UK, stay online effortlessly with Esimpilot — perfect for navigating show details and staying connected.

     

  • Is this a relaxed show?  

    Great Big Tiny World is a relaxed show. This means it is okay to make noise, move around, go out and come back in with no need for explanation.

    There will be a Quiet Space in each venue. 

  • Can I feed my baby during the show? 

    Yes, you can breastfeed or bottle feed your baby during the show.

  • What if I need to change my baby during the show?

    iIf your baby needs changing, you can use the changing table just outside the space.

  • Are there any allergens in this show? 

    None of the 14 food allergens are used in this show. All of the plants present in the set are non-toxic and can be touched. Finally, the scented spray bottles and weighted gloves used during the performance use the following essential oils: 

    • Juniper & vetiver essential oil spray
    • Lemon verbena, kashmir rose and lavender essence in weighted gloves
    • Organic lavender in sleep pillows

    If you have any questions, please contact access@oilycart.org.uk  g

  • We have not been to the theatre before. What if my baby doesn’t like it?

    This show is a perfect introduction to the theatre for babies who haven’t been before. The low audience numbers mean the show is tailored to each baby and is responsive to their reactions; it is a very flexible environment. The show has been made for and with babies aged 0-12 months (including being co-directed with a baby!). It has been created around their interests and what they find engaging, and has a very sensory approach.

    We have resources like the Audience Booklet that you (and your baby) can look through if you’d like to in advance so you know what to expect. During the performance, you and your baby can join in however you like, whether that’s joining in or sitting back.

  • I’ve seen this is an interactive show. Do I have to join in?  

    This show responds to audience members individually, so you will not have to touch, interact with, or do anything you or your baby does not want to. Our cast and crew are trained to listen, giving you space or interacting with you. You and your baby can change your mind throughout the performance.   

    You can leave and return at any point in the performance, for any reason. Our stage managers are around to help you with this.   

  • Can I get in touch with anyone at Oily Cart if I have a question about Great Big Tiny World?

    Absolutely. You can contact our Access and Wellbeing Officer, Maka. Email access@oilycart.org.uk or Whatsapp 07955 678174 



Tour Dates

Date

20/09/2025 - 21/07/2025

Venue

Out There Arts, Great Yarmouth as part of Ripple Early Years Arts Festival 2025


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Date

01/10/2025 - 01/10/2025

Venue

Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham


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Date

05/10/2025 - 05/10/2025

Venue

Lakeside Arts, Nottingham


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Date

11/10/2025 - 11/10/2025

Venue

Burnley Youth Theatre, Burnley


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Date

29/10/2025 - 29/10/2025

Venue

New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich


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Date

02/11/2025 - 02/11/2025

Venue

Westlands Yeovil, Somerset


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Credits

Creative Team

Rehearsal Director Rhiannon Armstrong

Original Co-Directors Ellie Griffiths and Orin Edelman-Griffiths

Designer and Eco-scenographer Andrea Carr

Original Design Concept Dr Tanja Beer

Composer and Musical Director Max Reinhardt

UK Performing / Devising Team Nisha Anil, Kim Heron, Ed Yelland

Sound Designers Max Reinhardt (UK)

Assistant Sound Designer / Multi Channel Programmer PJ Davy

Lighting Designer Marty Langthorne

Puppetry Director Steve Tiplady

Writing Adviser Steve Lally

Dramaturg Sue Giles AM

Musicians on soundtrack Bruno Guastalla (cello & loutar), Lauren Spicely (violin), Max Reinhardt (keyboards), Jo-anne Cox (cello), Kyllah Dyer (cello)

Plus samples of Rhodri Davies on harp from his album Dwa Dni Real sound recordings of birds, animals, insects, trees, leaves, undergrowth, wind, rain; including field recordings made by Mike Challis

Soundtrack mixed and recorded by Max Reinhardt with recordings of the live musicians by Christopher Jarman, Nicholas O’Brien and Max

Production Team

Company Stage Manager Eddie Latter (Jan - March 2025); Laide Sonola (May - November 2025)

Technical Stage Manager Laide Sonola (Jan - March 2025); Rebekah Wild (May - June 2025); Amirul Azmi (Sept - Nov 2025)

Production Manager (Sept - Nov 2025) and Company Stage Manager Cover Beatrice Galloway

Crew Amirul Azmi, Bea Galloway, Joshua Hill, Ben Standish

Set Construction Tadeusz McCarthy Budzhyski

Carpenters Aubrey Dor and Alice Friend

Costume and Textile Props Makers Caroline Ip and Malgorzata Walasek

Specialist Props / Set Items Maker Eyal Edelman

Touch Map and Puppet Maker Amy Nicholson

Murmuration Puppet Maker Helen Ainsworth

Assistant Maker of Touch Maps Charlotte Ball

Props and Shelters Maker Paula Hopkins

Aromatherapist Stephen Smallwood

For Oily Cart

Artistic Director and Joint CEO Ellie Griffiths

Executive Director and Joint CEO Zoë Lally

Tours Producer Alison Garratt

Production Manager Brent Tan

Communications and Advocacy Officer Flossie Waite

Access and Wellbeing Officer Maka Marambio de la Fuente

Zhaolin Zhou Development Officer

Administrator Romica Sharma

Placement Billie Antimony, Nuria Cano Lorente

Graphic Design Valerie Reid

Photography Suzi Corker

Filmmaker Paul Williams

PR Binita Walia, The Space inBetween

With thanks to all the babies and adults who were part of the show's development, including from FALA (Feminist Assembly of Latin Americans).

Thanks to everyone whose voices appear in the Great Big Tiny World soundtrack Shahid Abbas Khan, Oti Bennett Downes, Eyal Edelman, Orin Edelman-Griffiths, Laila El Balouti, Alison Garratt, Frank Garratt, Aine Garratt Kitson, Eabha Garratt Kitson, Ellie Griffiths, Evelyn Lally, Maka Marambio de la Fuente, Rita Ray, Edina Ritter, Sheema Mukherjee, Students from Endeavour Academy in Oxford

Thanks also to Kuljit Bhamra and Sara El Minawy for assisting in gathering voices for us.