A surreal and comic misadventure inspired by the first modern novel presented by Opposable Thumb Theatre co-produced with Nordland Visual Theatre
Don Quixote (is a very big book) sees veteran puppeteer, clown and audience whisperer Dik Downey making his Edinburgh Fringe debut at the age of 63 after a lifetime of performing. What took him so long?!
In this new one-man show at the Pleasance Dome, Downey places his own mid-life crisis deep in the heart of Don Quixote’s impossible dreams in a touching and funny reflection on the joys and indignities of growing old. He embarks on a journey of surreal comic misadventures accompanied by a pair of amiable puppets.
His wisecracking sidekick Sancho Panza and decrepit horse Rocinante. In scenes of hilarious slapstick, desperate clowning and skilful puppet manipulation, there is a glimpse of something else – a performer’s refusal to yield to the passing of time.
Written in 1605, Don Quixote is widely regarded as the first modern novel. In Downey’s version, he hurtles through all 939 pages in just 55 minutes to retell the novel to a contemporary audience – and attempt to make the best show of his life.
Written and devised by Emma Williams, Dik Downey and Chris Collier with an original score by composer Simon Preston, Don Quixote (is a very big book) was created over a six-week period in 2025 in almost 24-hour daylight in Stamsund, an isolated Norwegian fishing haven and the home of co-producers Nordland Visual Theatre.
Dik Downey’s 45-year showbiz career started at Glastonbury Festival in 1981 where he charmed as Yellow Kazoo Man and went on to include two years as a street performer in Barcelona and a freeze-frame appearance in Terry Gilliam’s Brazil. Over the years he has been set on fire, arrested by a drunk policeman, banned from performing in outside Bath’s roman baths, had a puppet beaten up, been chased by bandits, befriended by punks, had a gun pulled on him and been told off by Rudy Giuliani’s bodyguards.
Dik Downey and Opposable Thumb Theatre are part of a distinctive live performance and puppetry culture in Bristol which has long held a reputation as one of the UK’s most inventive creative hubs. Downey’s work has gained increasing recognition across the UK and beyond, marking a late flowering that has seen him become one of the most admired figures in contemporary puppetry.
Show: Don Quixote (is a very big book)
Venue: Pleasance Dome (King Dome), 1 Bristo Square, Edinburgh EH8 9AL
Dates: Wednesday 5 August to Monday 31 August 2026 (no shows on Wednesday 12 August, Monday 17 August and Monday 23 August)
Time: 15.25
Tickets: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/event/don-quixote-very-big-book
Images above (c) Varvara Stojan below (c) Vendy Hlavacek
