I’M GARETH J. NICHOLLS.
I'M A DIRECTORPRODUCERFACILITATORCURATORCOMPOSERWRITER
…working across theatre, audio, film, installations, exhibitions and lots more.
I’M GARETH J. NICHOLLS.
I'M A DIRECTORPRODUCERFACILITATORCURATORCOMPOSERWRITER
…working across theatre, audio, film, installations, exhibitions and lots more.
I create experiences which are joyous and moving — sometimes deliciously dark — but always seasoned with a big pinch of humour.
I also support others to make their own great art and share it with the world.
There's just one commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bore.
I create experiences which are joyous and moving — sometimes deliciously dark — but always seasoned with a big pinch of humour.
I also support others to make their own great art and share it with the world.
There's just one commandment: Thou Shalt Not Bore.
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.
Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.
Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.
Will Jackson
Director, Writer & Performer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.
Jo Carr
Performing Arts Programmer & Producer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross,
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.
James Yarker
Artistic Director, Stan’s Cafe
Gareth responds to situations and conversations with huge emotional intelligence and sensitivity, but also with an invaluable interrogative eye. He is not afraid to speak his mind, to say what is needed, but he simultaneously creates a supportive environment, encouraging those around him to always be open, generous and inquisitive.Ria Parry
Director, The North Wall
Current Co-Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a generous and visionary maker who always places the audience and participant experience at the heart of his work. With a heartfelt commitment and strong track record in artist development and sector leadership, his ability to facilitate, convene and inspire is matched only by his talent for creating unforgettable cultural experiences.Ellen O’Hara
Cultural Business Strategist
Previous Chair of Little Earthquake
Working with Gareth is a total pleasure. Placing people first, his leadership style is always filled with generosity and kindness. Clear in his thinking, Gareth leads a room in such a beautifully understated way yet with a quiet determination. It is abundantly clear to me that he is a huge asset to any organisation, team or collaborative process. I highly commend him and his work.Dougie Irvine
Artistic Director, Visible Fictions
Current Vice Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.
Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.
Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.Will Jackson
Director & Writer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.
Jo Carr
Performing Arts Programmer & Producer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross,
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.
James Yarker
Artistic Director, Stan’s Cafe
Gareth is a generous and visionary maker who always places the audience and participant experience at the heart of his work. With a heartfelt commitment and strong track record in artist development and sector leadership, his ability to facilitate, convene and inspire is matched only by his talent for creating unforgettable cultural experiences.Ellen O’Hara
Cultural Business Strategist
Previous Chair of Little Earthquake
Gareth responds to situations and conversations with huge emotional intelligence and sensitivity, but also with an invaluable interrogative eye. He is not afraid to speak his mind, to say what is needed, but he simultaneously creates a supportive environment, encouraging those around him to always be open, generous and inquisitive.Ria Parry
Director, The North Wall
Current Co-Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Working with Gareth is a total pleasure. Placing people first, his leadership style is always filled with generosity and kindness. Clear in his thinking, Gareth leads a room in such a beautifully understated way yet with a quiet determination. It is abundantly clear to me that he is a huge asset to any organisation, team or collaborative process. I highly commend him and his work.Dougie Irvine
Artistic Director, Visible Fictions
Current Vice Chair, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is a wonderful director and exceptional collaborator. By putting the audience experience first, his work never loses its sense of fun or wonder. It revels in theatricality and uses everything in the live theatre toolkit to tell stories in unique, warm and thoughtful ways.Zoë Roberts
Co-Director of SpitLip, creators of Operation Mincemeat
Gareth is the first person I think of when asked what the gold standard is for a director. His work is marked by a genuine commitment to collaboration and mutual respect, and he leads with kindness, clarity and purpose. Working with Gareth doesn’t just make you better at what you do — it reminds you of why you wanted to do it in the first place.Linda Muirhead
Theatre Arts Manager and Stage Management Tutor,
Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts, University of Birmingham
Gareth is one of the most exciting directors I’ve ever had the privilege to observe, and his influence on my own practice has been profound. He honours the text, respects the audience and crafts work that is bold, accessible and full of heart.Will Jackson
Director & Writer
As a Director, Gareth has vision, empathy and generosity. He always creates beautiful and heartfelt theatre. His caring and compassionate nature is matched by his diligent research and eye for detail, and he has a great skill for using humour and popular culture to challenge our preconceptions and start important conversations.Jo Carr
Performing Arts Producer & Programmer,
Midlands Arts Centre
Gareth’s rehearsal room has been my favourite place I’ve ever worked; his passion for theatre making matched by his extensive knowledge and experience. He is both a safe pair of hands and an innovator.Beth Organ
Performer in True Voyage Is Return Podcast and The Dog With Two Dads
Gareth is brilliant at connecting people, asking thoughtful questions and allowing space for meaningful conversations. He is such a positive force, and a total joy to work with — be that in a boardroom, in a gathering of peers, or in a theatre making space.Philippa Cross
Executive Associate, Talking Birds
Former Board Member, Independent Theatre Council
Gareth is the kind of person you go out of your way to be in the presence of. Over the years I have got to know his work through festivals, shows, workshops and symposiums, and have enjoyed discovering how multifaceted his talents are. From any point of view, be it creative or human, a room with Gareth in it is a better room for him being there.John Kirby
Programmer, Attenborough Arts Centre
Gareth has this magical knack for cutting through creative doubt, untangling writer’s block and mapping out ambitious yet achievable goals — all with such unwavering care and compassion.Hassan Hussain
LGBTQ+ Cultural Leadership Placement for The Dog With Two Dads
As a maker, Gareth is thoughtful and sensitive, skilled and imaginative. His selfless and insightful work bringing together members of the theatre community via East Meets West and representing us all on the board of the Independent Theatre Council speaks to his generous nature. I’d encourage good people to work with Gareth. He’s exactly the kind of person you need on your side.James Yarker
Director, Stan’s Cafe
Roles: Producer, Director, Facilitator
Categories: Theatre, Participation
Don’t Leave Me This Way
Ageing, love, sex, and relationships explored through a semi-improvised theatrical wake, complete with a buffet, and a karaoke machine pre-loaded with Thelma Houston’s greatest hit. The show forms a special piece of action research within a wider national inquiry, which aims to capture and contextualise the experiences of older practitioners involved in small-scale touring.
Roles: Producer, Sound Designer & Composer
Categories: Audio, Film & Digital, Participation
True Voyage Is Return Podcast
For Philip Holyman
Life is a journey back to where you started from. True voyage is return. When you get there, you might know a little more than when you began.
A ten-episode podcast to accompany Philip Holyman’s True Voyage Is Return project, taking a deep dive into the process of nine Birmingham-based writers and featuring specially recorded extracts of work from the anthology.
Busts the myth that there’s one “right” way to write… Hugely inspiring, deeply humane… Highly recommended for anyone in search of the courage to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.
Apple Podcasts Review
Busts the myth that there’s one “right” way to write… Hugely inspiring, deeply humane… Highly recommended for anyone in search of the courage to put pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard.
Apple Podcasts Review
Roles: Director
Categories: Theatre
The Dog With Two Dads
For Little Earthquake
Commissioned for Midlands Arts Centre’s 60th Anniversary
“Here in Hometown are two million people.
Night and day their lives unfold.
And in amongst those two million people,
one small story must be told…”
A show with songs about two papas and a pooch, celebrating families of every shape and size, and being loved for exactly who you are. For ages 5+ and their adults.
Made with heart and care, The Dog With Two Dads is a joy from start to finish. Beautifully staged, the show is a treat for all the family and a great way to spark important conversations.
Alex Williams
Head of Programming and Participation, Artsdepot
former Creative Producer for Families and Public Programme, Southbank Centre
Made with heart and care, The Dog With Two Dads is a joy from start to finish. Beautifully staged, the show is a treat for all the family and a great way to spark important conversations.
Alex Williams
Head of Programming and Participation, Artsdepot
former Creative Producer for Families and Public Programme, Southbank Centre
Roles: Director
Categories: Theatre
Rocket Fuel
For Little Earthquake as part of MoonFest
in collaboration with Kaye Winwood Projects
Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre
In space, no one can hear your tummy rumble.
An immersive dining experience inspired by Neil Armstrong’s in-flight menu during his journey to the Moon. An edible adventure that was truly out of this world, combining surround sound, 360° projection, opera, live camera feeds, performers and an 8-course meal.
My favourite moment at MAC so far! I’ll remember it forever.
Deborah Kermode
Chief Executive & Artistic Director,
Midlands Arts Centre
Watching the Moon landing on TV in 1969 was incredible, but this was even better! (And I didn’t have to stay up so late either!)
Audience Comment
My favourite moment at MAC so far! I’ll remember it forever.
Deborah Kermode
Chief Executive & Artistic Director,
Midlands Arts Centre
Watching the Moon landing on TV in 1969 was incredible, but this was even better! (And I didn’t have to stay up so late either!)
Audience Comment
Roles: Deviser, Performer
Categories: Theatre
I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost
The dead can scare us. The dead can protect us. Sometimes, the dead just want to steal our KitKats.
1986: an ordinary home in suburban Derby (on the edge of an abandoned graveyard) was the unlikely setting for some puzzling paranormal activity — and inspired by his favourite film, little Gareth became a self-appointed Ghostbuster to launch an investigation into his playful poltergeist.
2018: With the help of old home videos and new interviews with his nearest and dearest, grown-up Gareth was determined to uncover what had really been going on inside his very own haunted house.
A tongue-in-cheek deconstruction of autobiographical theatre and a comic exploration of a childhood haunting where nothing is quite what it seems — all wrapped up in some formidable fashions and set to a cheese-tastic chart-topping soundtrack.
Winner — Performance of the Year — National Rural Touring Awards
Within our community, I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost has started the process of bringing a family together after several years of friction. Your work has had a tremendous impact here, bigger than you’ll ever know.
Rural Touring Promoter
Winner — Performance of the Year — National Rural Touring Awards
Within our community, I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghost has started the process of bringing a family together after several years of friction. Your work has had a tremendous impact here, bigger than you’ll ever know.
Rural Touring Promoter
Roles: Facilitator, Producer
Categories: Audio, Film & Digital, Installation
The Stolen Year
For Little Earthquake
as part of Celebrating Age and Culture Club
Commissioned by Midlands Arts Centre
“I’m telling you far more than my friends and family know about me…”
An immersive audio installation in which twelve older people told their moving and funny stories of living through the Covid pandemic — from moments of despair and panic, to the occasional illegal hook-up — celebrating the power of hope for the future and taking pleasure in small things.
Witty, moving, original and enthralling for young and old audiences alike. This is amongst the best work I’ve experienced that involves Elders in its co-creation.
Kate Organ
Churchill Fellowship Advisory Council
Witty, moving, original and enthralling for young and old audiences alike. This is amongst the best work I’ve experienced that involves Elders in its co-creation.
Kate Organ
Churchill Fellowship Advisory Council
Sessions to help artists claim their place in the sector and create work that is uniquely their own.
For makers of live experiences, including actors, performers, directors, writers and drama facilitators.
Sessions to help artists claim their place in the sector and create work that is uniquely their own.
For makers of live experiences, including actors, performers, directors, writers and drama facilitators.
The Box
The Box is simply that — a box.
After twenty years of development, it has also become a practical, liberating and endlessly adaptable device that can be used in devising, writing, improvisation and scene or character study processes.
The Funhouse
The Funhouse provides a structured approach to devising in real time — and in front of a real live audience.
Perfectly suited for solo performance pieces and for group scenes, the results are as thrilling for the audience as they are for the performers.
Gareth’s approach is grounded in curiosity and care. As a facilitator, he is playful, respectful and deeply thoughtful. He always meets a group where they are and guides them towards meaningful, high-quality outcomes.
Will Jackson, Director, Writer & Performer
Former Student at Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts,
University of Birmingham
Gareth’s approach is grounded in curiosity and care. As a facilitator, he is playful, respectful and deeply thoughtful. He always meets a group where they are and guides them towards meaningful, high-quality outcomes.
Will Jackson,
Director, Writer & Performer
Former Student at Dept. Drama & Theatre Arts,
University of Birmingham
Working with artists-in-training is one of my absolute favourite things to do.
Helping to shape future generations of artists is endlessly rewarding. I also discover lots about my own craft and my own values at the same time.
If you’re interested in working with me via your drama school or university, explore some of my approaches to training or get in touch.
Working with artists-in-training is one of my absolute favourite things to do.
Helping to shape future generations of artists is endlessly rewarding. I also discover lots about my own craft and my own values at the same time.
If you’re interested in working with me via your drama school or university, explore some of my approaches to training or get in touch.
EAT THE ELEPHANT
A BLOG & NEWSLETTER
EXPLORING THE CREATIVE PROCESSES
BEHIND GETTING STUFF MADE
July 24, 2025Tags: Cartoons, Austin Kleon, Jason Kottke, World BuildingWhat Looney Tunes can teach us about world building
