Hijinx Theatre

What Hijinx Theatre does

Hijinx Theatre is a Wales-based not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and registered charity (Charity No. 1078358), founded in 1981 in Cardiff, producing and promoting professional theatre, film, and training opportunities for learning disabled and/or autistic artists. The organization operates from the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay and functions as a national inclusive theatre company, anchoring its work on a community-to-career pipeline that spans weekly community participation programs (Drama Foundations, Odyssey, Young People's Theatres, PAWB), professional training (Hijinx Academy, established 2012; The Ensemble, launched 2024 with eight paid performers on two-year contracts), and a casting agency (Hijinx Actors, established 2017) that routes trained artists into paid stage and screen work.

The product portfolio is platform-and-modules in structure: core outputs are professional theatre productions (Meet Fred, Housemates, Bon Appétit, Into The Light), film (Lost and Found on BBC iPlayer, Stones and Dust), and the annual Unity Festival (founded 2008, 12th edition in 2026). Adjacent modules include commercial training (LEAP business training, ReFocus screen industry training certified by CPD, Creative Enabler training, and coaching for creatives at £35-£60 per 45-minute session), plus experimental digital works such as the Eye See Ai AR app (developed with VTT) and Zoom-based live performance. Distribution spans the Wales Millennium Centre venue, international touring (Meet Fred alone has played 250+ performances in 145 cities across 20 countries), digital streaming, and the Hijinx Actors casting platform.

The revenue model blends public subsidy with diversified earned income. Core funding comes from Arts Council of Wales and Welsh Government, supplemented by project-specific grants (British Council, Creative Wales, Wales for Africa, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Lloyds Bank Foundation) and individual giving via the Hwb Hijinx regular donor scheme. Commercial revenue streams include ticket sales, training fees, corporate partnerships, and consultancy. The go-to-market operates through three motions in parallel: an event/community-led model reaching 160+ weekly participants across Wales, an event-driven touring model reaching international audiences, and a sales-led training business serving enterprise clients in legal, broadcasting, and production sectors (Hugh James, Bad Wolf, S4C, Boom Cymru, OnPar Productions, Unquiet Media). Leadership transitioned to a Co-CEO model in 2024 under Ben Pettitt-Wade and Eloise Tong.

Name

Hijinx Theatre

Legal name

Hijinx Theatre

Website

https://hijinx.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hijinx Theatre is a Wales-based registered charity and national inclusive theatre company, founded 1981 in Cardiff, producing professional theatre, film, and training programs with and for learning disabled and/or autistic artists, supported by Arts Council of Wales core funding and diversified earned income.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts and Inclusive Theatre

NAICS

Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)

akta.pro primary industry

Community & Amateur Theatre (MPAGABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Media Arts & Performance (Film, Stagecraft, Lighting, Sound) (EDAMAAAJ), Virtual Theater, Comedy & Performing Arts (Digital Performances) (MPAGAOAF), Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

Keywords

• Inclusive theatre productions
• Accessible performing arts
• Disability arts training
• Screen industry inclusion
• Community drama programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cardiff

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Core Funding: Core funding from Arts Council of Wales (ACW) and Welsh Government
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from touring productions, theatre performances, and Unity Festival events
3. Training Fees: Fees from business training, ReFocus screen industry training, Creative Enabler training, and coaching services
4. Individual Donations: Regular giving scheme (Hwb Hijinx members), one-off donations, and legacy giving
5. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship packages for businesses aligned with inclusive arts cause
6. Trusts and Foundations: Grant funding from charitable trusts including Colwinston Charitable Trust, Lloyds Bank Foundation

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hijinx Theatre is an inclusive theatre company that produces professional theatre productions and films featuring learning disabled and/or autistic artists as creators and performers. Based at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, the company operates a portfolio of training programs (Academy, Business Training, ReFocus, Creative Enabler Training), community programs (Drama Foundations, Odyssey, Young People's Theatres), the annual Unity Festival, a professional Ensemble collective, and the Hijinx Actors casting platform.

Product overview

Hijinx Theatre is an inclusive theatre company that operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture, offering professional theatre and film productions alongside extensive training, community, and consultancy services. Core offerings include: theatre productions (Meet Fred, Housemates, Bon Appétit), film productions (Lost and Found, Stones and Dust), Unity Festival (Europe's largest inclusive arts festival), The Ensemble (national collective of paid neurodivergent performers), and Hijinx Academy (professional actor training with casting through Hijinx Actors). Community programs span Drama Foundations, Odyssey, and Young People's Theatres (Telemachus, North NYPT), while training services include Business Training (LEAP model), ReFocus (screen industry training), Creative Enabler Training, and Coaching for Creatives. Specialized offerings include Vaguely Artistic (inclusive band), Able to Act (international project), Eye See Ai (AR app), and accessible streaming productions via Zoom. The organization also provides consultancy, training films, and conferences for businesses seeking inclusion expertise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hijinx Actors: The casting arm of Hijinx, representing actors trained through the Academy to the stage and screen industries since 2017.
• PAWB (People and Community)
• LEAP Training Model
• Creative Enablers
• Vaguely Artistic

Products and services

• Hijinx Academy Professional performance training program for learning disabled and/or autistic actors across Wales, with representation to stage and screen industries via the Hijinx Actors casting platform. Has trained over 70 neurodivergent artists since 2012.
• Hijinx Actors Casting platform established in 2017 representing actors with learning disabilities and/or autism, connecting performers with professional theatre and screen opportunities.
• Theatre Productions Inclusive theatre productions featuring learning disabled and/or autistic artists, including touring works such as Meet Fred, Housemates, and Bon Appétit, performed nationally and internationally.
• Film Productions Feature and short documentary films created with learning disabled and/or autistic actors, including Lost and Found (BBC iPlayer), Stones and Dust, and Glitch.
• Unity Festival Annual inclusive arts festival founded in 2008, featuring theatre, dance, comedy, circus, drag and music from across the UK and Europe, with events in Cardiff, Mold and other locations across Wales.
• The Ensemble Wales' first national collective of artists with learning disabilities and/or autism, launched 2024. A paid professional group of eight performers collaborating with Artistic Director and guest creatives over a two-year contract to develop their own projects.
• Drama Foundations Weekly courses teaching life skills through drama, music and movement for learning disabled and/or autistic adults, available in South Wales (Cardiff) and North Wales (Mold), taught by professional performers.
• Odyssey Inclusive community theatre group featuring actors with and without learning disabilities and/or autism who perform as equal partners. Produces annual Christmas shows at Wales Millennium Centre.
• Young People's Theatres (Telemachus, North Wales NYPT) Inclusive theatre groups for young actors aged 16+, with Telemachus in Cardiff and North Young People's Theatre in Bangor working inclusively with learning disabled and neurotypical actors who perform as equal partners.
• Vaguely Artistic In-house inclusive band performing punk, rock, pop, soul, blues and funk. Regular feature at Unity Festival, has released album Vaguely Accomplished available on Bandcamp and major streaming services.
• Business Training (LEAP Model) Communications training for businesses on working with vulnerable customers who have learning disabilities and/or autism. Features professional Hijinx actors using the LEAP model.
• ReFocus Inclusion training for the screen industries, certified by the CPD Certification Service. One-day course helping screen sector workers make their practices more inclusive of learning disabled and/or autistic people.
• Creative Enabler Training Training program to increase and upskill the Creative Enabler workforce in Wales. Enables disabled actors' professional practice by providing support tailored to individual artists and specific production jobs.
• Coaching for Creatives Transformational coaching service for freelance creatives and creative practitioners, led by Jon Dafydd-Kidd, Head of Participation, offering reduced-rate sessions for individuals and organisations.
• Able to Act International inclusive arts exchange project, exemplified by the Lesotho 2018 collaboration, creating and performing with local artists and winning The Stage International Award 2019.

Quantifiable outcome

• Meet Fred: 250+ performances, 25,000+ audience members, 145 cities, 20 countries, 3 continents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Kitsch & Sync CollectiveminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-production of Coblyn street theatre show with Kitsch & Sync Collective and Theatr Iolo, performing at Eisteddfod y Garreg Las 2026 and various outdoor venues
• Theatr IolominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Co-production partner for Coblyn street theatre show with Kitsch & Sync Collective and Hijinx
• Sherman TheatrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Co-production of Housemates, a rock'n'roll production about the birth of Supported Living movement in 1970s Cardiff, featuring neurodivergent and neurotypical actor-musicians.
• L'Oiseau-MouchecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023International co-production with French company for Bon Appétit, a tri-lingual clowning production. Supported by British Council, Arts Council of Wales, Wales Arts International, and Welsh Government.
• Hong Kong Arts FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Co-production of Are You O.K? with Hong Kong Arts Festival (No Limits programme) featuring performers from Hong Kong and Wales via Zoom
• National Youth Arts WalesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partnership for Maniffest 2021 with National Youth Theatre Wales members
• Blind SummitcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Long-term creative partnership for Meet Fred production - Blind Summit provides puppetry dramaturgy and expertise. Meet Fred has been touring internationally since 2016, with Blind Summit's Ceri James and others in creative roles.
• National Theatre of WalescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Co-production of Mission Control (2019) at Principality Stadium with 80+ performers. Joint presentation of Unity Festival events.
• Frantic AssemblycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production of Into The Light with Scott Graham and Krista Vuori as co-directors, featuring international cast including performers from Teatro La Ribalta (Italy) and Danza Mobile (Spain)
• Mat Tran EnsemblecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVietnamese puppetry collaborators for Eye See Ai AR project, pursuing inclusive performing arts vision
• VTTcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnical partners who built the Eye See Ai app providing AR technology for exploring Cardiff and Hanoi through performances
• BBCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLost and Found documentary available on BBC iPlayer until March 2027
• tanzbar_bremenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration for Enter the Robots street theatre production
• RamshackliciousminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for TRUTH! street theatre production

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Diverse City: Diverse City is a UK inclusive performance company producing touring theatre and performance with learning disabled and non-disabled artists. Comparable to Hijinx in its touring model, inclusive casting philosophy, and commitment to professional opportunities for learning disabled performers.
• Access All Areas: Access All Areas is a London-based inclusive theatre company that trains and produces work with learning disabled and autistic performers. Directly comparable to Hijinx in training pipelines, casting representation, and producing inclusive professional touring productions.
• Oily Cart: Oily Cart is a London-based inclusive theatre company creating multi-sensory work for young audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Comparable to Hijinx in its inclusive-theatre ethos and participatory programming, though focused on young audiences.
• Mind the Gap: Mind the Gap is a Bradford-based inclusive theatre company producing professional work with learning disabled artists and running a performance training academy. Closely comparable to Hijinx in target community, Academy-style training model, and touring scale.
• Graeae Theatre Company: Graeae is London's flagship disabled-led theatre company producing professional theatre with Deaf and disabled artists. It is the most directly comparable UK peer to Hijinx in mission, casting approach, and national portfolio status, both running Academy-style training and touring inclusive productions.
• Taking Flight Theatre Company: Taking Flight is a Wales-based inclusive theatre company producing professional touring productions featuring learning disabled artists. Highly comparable as a regional Welsh peer with similar funding mix (ACW) and inclusive casting philosophy.
• L'Oiseau-Mouche: L'Oiseau-Mouche is a French inclusive theatre company based in Roubaix and an existing co-production partner of Hijinx on Bon Appétit. It is directly comparable as a peer European inclusive professional company with a permanent ensemble of learning disabled performers.

Broad incumbents

• Frantic Assembly: Frantic Assembly is a long-established UK physical theatre company and an existing co-production partner with Hijinx on Into The Light. Comparable as a UK-wide physical-theatre producer with broader reach that Hijinx partners with rather than directly competes against at scale.

Emerging players

• Back to Back Theatre: Back to Back Theatre is an Australian company creating internationally touring theatre with a predominantly neurodivergent ensemble. Comparable as an international peer in the inclusive professional ensemble space, providing a global benchmark for Hijinx's Ensemble model.

Regional players

• Sherman Theatre: Sherman Theatre is a Cardiff-based producing theatre and an existing co-production partner with Hijinx on Housemates. Comparable as a regional Welsh theatre partner that books and co-produces inclusive work, and as a benchmark for scale of Welsh mid-scale theatre operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Hijinxtheatrecompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/hijinxtheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hijinx-theatre
• Instagraminstagram.com/hijinxtheatre/?hl=en
• Xx.com/HijinxTheatre

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hijinx Theatre