Share 3 days and 3 nights with 3 lighthouse keepers. By day they work, watch and wait, whatever the weather. At night, lanterns are lit and things get weird, wonderful, and wild.
Gaggle is made especially for young audiences who have complex additional support needs (ASN), and their families.
Gaggle is most suitable for teenagers with complex ASN, and can also be enjoyed by children age 5+ with ASN. The production is a non-verbal, highly sensory, stimulating experience. It is very funny! There are frequent moments of stillness and silence to offer the audience time to process, engage and respond in their own ways.
“I’ve never seen theatre like that. I’ve seen relaxed performances but not something as
inclusive as that.”
“It was absolutely amazing. My child loved it, we all did.”
“We all loved the sensory experience which we could all enjoy together. It was a truly
inclusive experience.”
Coming to see Gaggle? Here’s some useful info for you.
Before the show
When you arrive at the venue
A member of Tenterhooks will be at the venue to greet you. You are welcome to share your access needs with them. Shows begin at the advertised time. You are welcome to arrive early to get settled and see the performance space before the show begins.
If you have questions about coming to the show, please email us at admin@tenterhooks.org
or click here.
During the show
There are 4 performers in Gaggle: 3 lighthouse keepers and 1 musician. They will interact with the audience throughout, as long as the audience member is happy with interaction. You are welcome to come and go during the show if you need to. For example, if a young person becomes over-stimulated or unsure. The performers expect noise and movement from the audience. The performers will welcome and include any and all responses.
Parents/carers are responsible for their child(ren)’s safety throughout the performance.
There is a 3.5metre circus pole on stage which performers will climb. Whilst audience members are free to move around the space throughout the performance, it is not permitted for audience members to climb the pole. If your child will need to climb the pole, please keep scrolling for information about our workshop for climbers.
It is not permitted to take photos or videos during the performance.
GAGGLE CONTAINS
Non-verbal performance
Slapstick comedy
Mild peril
Circus pole acrobatics
Amplified sound
Live singing
Lighting effects (torches, lanterns). There are no flashing lights.
Sensory props (giant seashells that vibrate and make sounds)
After the show
The performers will lead you out of the performance space. You are welcome to take photographs with the performers after the show.
Important information for climbers
We know that some young people will be fascinated by the circus pole on stage, and will feel a strong desire to climb it. Instead of tickets to a performance of Gaggle, we can offer you a circus pole workshop. Workshops last up to 20 minutes and are for one family at a time. They are facilitated by the Gaggle cast, and take place directly after a Gaggle performance. During the workshop, your child(ren) will be supported to climb the pole and play on it. These sessions must be booked in advance and require a parent/carer to be present throughout. A safety briefing will be given to parents/carers upon arrival. If this sounds like something your child needs, please email us at admin@tenterhooks.org or click here.
Gaggle is touring Scotland in July and October 2026
Gaggle is presented by Tenterhooks in association with Beacon Arts Centre; supported by the National Lottery through Creative Scotland. The production premiered at Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock on 1st August 2025, and has toured to Dunoon Burgh Hall.
Gaggle was developed in collaboration with young people at Riverbrae School, Linwood. Early-stage R&D on the Physical Comedy Lab at the Tron Theatre, Glasgow, funded by Creative Scotland. Thanks to Lab performers Carmen Pieraccini, Benedetta Zanetti and Rachel Still.
