HOOT!
(Access information at the bottom of the page)
Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 October 2026 Perth Theatre
A Children’s Comedy Theatre Festival
A collaboration between Dirliebane Theatre Company and Perth Theatre
HOOT! is a funny theatre festival for children aged 0-12 and their families. Bursting with performances, workshops, walkabout entertainment, interaction and participation, HOOT! is all about silliness, laughter and shared fun.
BOOKING
Online: www.perththeatreandconcerthall.com/hoot
Telephone: Perth Theatre Box Office; 01738 621031
Visit: Drop into Perth Theatre Box Office, Mill Street, Perth
TICKET PRICES
Tickets in the Joan Knight Studio £11
Schools & Community Groups are £6.50.
DISCOUNTS for Multiple tickets. Buy 2 shows in the studio and get 10% off, buy 3 shows get 15%, buy 4 shows get 20%, buy 5-7 shows, get £25% off.
Events in THE SPACE Pay what you can – £3/£5/£7
Events in THE FOYER Free
Café open both days, 10:00 – 16:00, serving delicious food, drinks, cakes and bakes.
DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE HERE
During HOOT! the theatre foyer will be transformed into a giggle filled fun house for the whole family. Step up to The Joke Spot and share your best jokes with the crowd; Knock Knock on the door, see who answers, and tell your favourite Knock Knock joke; reveal the true (unbelievable and ridiculous) stories of famous places in and around Perth; dive into the dress-up box and try on some of the silliest and funniest costumes from the Perth Theatre wardrobe.
THURSDAY 8 OCTOBER
SPACE by Dirliebane Theatre Company
Thursday 8 October: Joan Knight Studio: 17:00-17:55
Age Recommendation a performance for 8-12
SPACE is a funny show exploring what it is like to start somewhere new, make mistakes and be yourself.
FRIDAY 9 OCTOBER
Cabinet of Musical Wonders by Tenement Jazz Band
Friday 9 October: Joan Knight Studio: 17:00-17:55
Age Recommendation: a performance for 5-12
From Sousaphones to gramophones, this traveling museum of curiosities will wow you with rip roaring live music, comedy, songs, and instrumental stunts. The audience will get to dance, drum, sing, conduct and maybe even join the band.
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER
BIG by Dirliebane Theatre Company
Saturday 10 October: Joan Knight Studio: 10:00 – 10:55
Age Recommendation: a performance for 3-6
BIG is a funny and engaging show for 3-6 year olds exploring the excitement, adventure and trepidation of starting somewhere new.
Absolute Kidprov by TBC Improv UK
Saturday 10 October: The Space: 10:45-11:30
Age Recommendation: a performance for 6-12
In Absolute Kidprov, the kids are in charge of the ideas! The performers from TBC Improv make up the entire show on the spot using suggestions from the audience.
Imagination in Action – Intro to Improv by TBC Improv UK
Saturday 10 October: The Space: 12:00-12:45
Age Recommendation: a workshop for 8-12
Jump into the world of improv with TBC Improv! In this fast, fun 45-minute workshop, kids will play silly theatre games where imagination runs wild.
Just Laugh! – Learn How To Laugh For No Reason Whatsoever with Caroline Mathison
Saturday 10 October: The Space: 13:15-13:45
Age Recommendation: a workshop for 3+
Laughing’s good for us, so let’s do more of it! Fun and silly Laughter Yoga exercises will help to get the giggles and guffaws flowing.
Two in a Barrel by Sarah Rose Graber & Ruxy Cantir
Saturday 10 October: Joan Knight Studio: 14:00-14:45
Age Recommendation: a performance for 4+
One barrel, two friends, and a whole lot of rubbish!
Two in a Barrel is a clown-inspired, physical theatre performance for young audiences.
BLAST! with Dirliebane Theatre Company
Saturday 10 October: The Space: 14:30-15:15
Age recommendation: a play session for 12-36 months
BLAST! is an explorative play session for toddlers aged 12-36 months. Inspired by Laaaunch!, Dirliebane’s co-production with Starcatchers, Dash, Dot and Minim invite children to explore music, movement, objects and suitcases together.
How to Slip on a Banana – a Comedy Theatre workshop with Dirliebane Theatre Company
Saturday 10 October: The Space: 16:00-16:45
Age recommendation: a workshop for 6-12
Trip, tumble and make them giggle! Come and learn some hilarious comedy tricks that include perfecting the art of tripping up to make people laugh.
The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret by The Lucky Dog Theatre Productions
Saturday 10 October: Joan Knight Studio: 17:00-17:55
Age Recommendation: a performance for 7+
Lucky Dog Theatre Productions are generally regarded as the best Laurel and Hardy re-enactors in the world. The Laurel & Hardy Cabaret is a bumper package of Stan & Ollie’s routines, songs and dances from The Boys’ 30-year career.
PLUS Sat 10 October: 10:00 – 17:00
WALKABOUT THEATRE from
Prom-Pom Queen by Kerry Cleland
The Prom Pom Queen and her pet Pom Pom are out for a royal roam and are ever so delighted to share everything they have ever known… Pom Pom. Offering playful pom pom provocations, audiences can meet the Queen, pet the giant pet Pom Pom and help out when things go somewhat awry.
Darlin Bottlebrush by Bec Phipps
Darlin’ Bottlebrush was exploring the hills, but she took a wrong turn and discovered HOOT! Now she’s a little bit lost and in a bit of a pickle. If you see her, she might need some help. An interactive adventure, celebrating getting lost and found again.
Dash, Dot and Minim by Dirliebane Theatre Company
Meet Dash, Dot and Minim, musical explorers on a joyful quest to discover everyone’s name. Each name is unique, special and delicious to sing. They can’t wait to meet you, play together and turn your name into music.
Perth Youth Theatre
Comedy theatre walkabout, devised and performed by Perth Youth Theatre to make you giggle, chortle, snigger, smirk and hee-haw.
SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER
Four Go Wild in Wellies by Indepen-dance
Sunday 11 October: Joan Knight Studio: 10:30-11:00
Age Recommendation: a performance for 3-8
Four Go Wild in Wellies is a whimsical adventure featuring bobble hats, scarves, tents that have a life of their own and, of course, lots of fun in wellies!
How to Fall off a Chair – a Comedy Theatre workshop with Dirliebane Theatre Company
Sunday 11 October: the Space: 10:45-11:30
Age Recommendation: a workshop for 7-12
Whoops – did you fall? Come and learn some hilarious comedy tricks and playful routines centred around chairs, that include mastering the skills of falling off a chair to make people laugh.
Game, Set, Juggle by Think Circus
Sunday 11 October: The Space: 12:30-13:00
Age recommendation: a performance for 5-10
Meet Keith, Antonia and Bob. These world class performers are back in Scotland and ready to play! Equipped with Tennis Rackets, Footballs, Hula Hoops and more.
Circus Workshop with Think Circus
Sunday 11 October: The Space: 13:00-13:45
Age recommendation: a workshop for 5-10
Come explore the world of Juggling, Hula Hoop, Poi, Plate Spinning and many other tricks, while developing balance, co-ordination, confidence and fun!
Toast with lots of butter by lovebug + worm
Sunday 11 October: Joan Knight Studio: 14:00-15:00
Age Recommendation: a performance for 8-12
Toast with lots of butter is all about food. It’s about trips to the big supermarket, the wonder of chocolate fountains and very important questions like what is the right way to eat a cheese string?
Creative Play with Babies with Tim Licata
Sunday 11 October: The Space: 14:30-15:00 and 15:15-15:45
Age Recommendation: a play session for babies under 12 months
A gentle session exploring different avenues of creating a playful engagement with babies through sound, movement and letting the babies take the lead.
How to Slip on a Banana. A Comedy Theatre workshop with Dirliebane Theatre Company
Sunday 10 October: The Space: 16:00-16:45
Age recommendation: a workshop for 6+
Trip, tumble and make them giggle! Come and learn some hilarious comedy tricks that include perfecting the art of tripping up to make people laugh.
PLUS Sunday 11 October: 10:00 – 17:00
WALKABOUT THEATRE from
Windbags by Ronan McMahon
Windbags is a walkabout musical band of idiots. At multiple points of high emotion, their elaborate costumes inflate and they transform into large, awkward and beautiful shapes. Windbags is daft, bright and eye-catching. Can you help them find each other? They need all the help they can get.
The Refs by Sarah Rose Graber and Ruxy Cantir
Do you have what it takes to be a champion? Two referees, Tank and Bogie, are searching for the most valuable player and it could be you! THE REFS is a family-friendly walkabout which turns public spaces into one big game.
Where are you? By Marion Geoffray
Harry Hedgehog needs your help! His friends have travelled from far and wide to reach Scotland — but now they’re lost, confused, and longing to fit in! Can you find them and help them feel at home here in Perth?
Perth Youth Theatre
Comedy theatre walkabout devised and performed by Perth Youth Theatre to make you giggle, chortle, snigger, smirk and hee-haw.
IN THE FOYER
Thurs 8 + Fri 9 October: 14:00 – 17:00
Sat 10 + Sun 11 October: 10:00 – 17:00
Knock, Knock Door
Unbelievable and Ridiculous Perth Stories
The Joke Spot
The Dress Up Box
ACCESS INFORMATION for HOOT!
Dirliebane is keen for Hoot! to be as accessible to as many babies, children and young people as possible alongside their families and grown-ups. Please see below for all our access information.
If you have any questions about access, please do contact us at info@dirliebane.org.uk
There will be a quiet space available throughout the festival outside of the performance spaces.
We have sensory backpacks that are designed for anyone living with autism, sensory processing disorder, anxiety and dementia. Please ask at the Ticketing Services Team at Box Office for a sensory backpack, they can be used anytime; it doesn’t need to be for a performance. They are completely free to borrow and are sanitised thoroughly between uses.
Each bag contains:
- A fidget toy or Stress reliever ball;
- Ear defenders;
- Lanyard help card and strap;
Though we are clear that none of our performances have been made specifically for children with ASN, many of them may be accessible and suitable depending on your child’s specific needs.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
For Hoot! we define our performances as relaxed if they fulfil the following criteria:
- Audience are free to leave and re-enter the auditorium at any point
- Audience can speak or make noise during the performance
- House lights remain on low
The following shows fulfil all these criteria:
- CABINET OF MUSICAL WONDERS, BIG, TWO IN A BARREL, FOUR GO WILD IN WELLIES
Please be aware that these shows do contain some loud music and noises and some flashing lights.
WALKABOUT’ AND FOYER
The following walkabout performances (where performers wander through the theatre building and outside) are particularly suitable for children with ASN. They are primarily non-verbal, the audience can engage with the performers, and the performers have extensive experience engaging children with ASN. The performers will also keep a good distance from children who do not want to be approached if made aware.
- PROM POM QUEEN, DOT DASH MINIM, DARLIN’ BOTTLEBRUSH, THE REFS, WINDBAGS
The Foyer will have 4 small ‘stations’ that visitors can interact with – telling jokes, dressing up or telling stories. Some of these may get busy and loud at times but will be quieter whilst performances are on. Festival staff will be able to advise about this and will be nearby to facilitate these.
ACCESS for D/deaf and hard of hearing children and young people
From 10am to 4pm on Saturday 10th and 10am to 1pm on Sunday 11th there will be roaming BSL interpreters available to support access to the free activities in the Perth Theatre foyer and the walkabout performances.
The following performances will have BSL interpretation:
- TOAST WITH LOTS OF BUTTER
The following performances are primarily non-verbal:
- BIG, TWO IN A BARREL, FOUR GO WILD IN WELLIES, GAME SET JUGGLE
The following performances will have assisted listening and FM headsets:
- SPACE, CABINET OF MUSICAL WONDERS, BIG, TOAST WITH LOTS OF BUTTER
For details of how to access this, please follow the instructions below:
You can use your own headphones to access our audio streams or to Bluetooth directly to your hearing aid. This system is available in the Joan Knight Studio
How it works:
- Download the free Sennheiser Mobile Connect app from the Apple App store or the Google Play Store to your phone or smart device;
- When you arrive at Perth Theatre, connect to our Assistive Listening WIFI, then scan the QR code on display throughout our venues and this will link you to our different Audio Streams;
- Once connected to the stream, you can easily adjust the audio to your preferred settings;
- If you don’t have access to the technology needed, don’t worry! Perth Theatre has loanable devices and headphones in each venue. Please ask at the Box Office or see a member of our Visitor Experience Team and they will be happy to help.
For full access information for each show and walk about performance, please download our Access Information Table here
For full access information for Perth Theatre please follow this link where you can find a detailed access guide to the theatre
AccessAble – Your Accessibility Guide
Please follow this link to view a walk-through video which include the Joan Knight Studio and The Space.
Perth Theatre Access Video