HAH! BUMHUG is touring
winter 2026!

"Better than Dickens, as good as the Muppets"

We all know A Christmas Carol, but ever wonder what happened after the ghosts vanished? Sure, Scrooge reformed, but a certain kid grew up wanting more—MORE! Time makes fools of us all, and Tim (don’t call him Tiny!) has turned into a crafty cat burglar, out to snag his share of Ebenezer’s fortune. Not even the Ghost of Christmas Future saw this one coming!
Want to hear Tim’s side of the story? Grab your overcoats and top hats and join us for HAH BUMHUG—a wildly interactive, funny, festive Christmas classic reimagined with yuletide laughs for the whole family!

As Tim says “God help us! Everyone...”

Performed by Lecoq-trained clown Ethel Darling.

Live music written and performed by Julian Gaskell.

Directed by Daniel Richards of Owdyado, Miracle Theatre and Near-ta fame & Kyla Goodey

Set designed by Isolde Pullum and built by Dominic Allen.

Watch our Promo Video!

https://youtu.be/q_dpK85DEF8

The Cast
Julian Gaskell - Musician

Julian Gaskell is a multi-instrumentalist singer, songwriter, producer, performer, storyteller and van driver. Described by angry locals as the bastard son of Waits, Strummer, Reinhardt and Rachmaninov, he is a ludicrously self-sabotaging musical talent whose work over the last 20 years has incorporated verbose punk, withering agricultural-folk, european street accordion and skiffled-up boogie-woogie piano protest songs, torch ballads, weeping country laments and straight up rock’n’roll bangers. He has worked with Bash Street Theatre, I Am Kloot, Icons of Poundland, Rogue Theatre and currently fronts his latest incarnation of 'Julian Gaskell & his Ragged Trousered Philanthropists' on vocals, accordion, and guitar.

Ethel Darling - Big Tim

Ethel grew up in Cornwall, England, surrounded by street performers. Musicians, clowns, puppeteers, circus artists she really is a product of her family.
At age 15, Ethel's uncle took her under his wing and invited her to join his company Bash Street Theatre. Performing with Bash Street opened her eyes to how wonderful life in the arts can be. Specialising in Acrobatics, Ethel received a BTEC & FDA in Contemporary Circus and Physical Theatre, awarded at Circomedia, Bristol and then went on to Paris, training at L'Ecole Jacques Lecoq, the heart of French theatre and comedy. Here she studied how the world moves and fell in love with the simplicity and potential of everyday occurrences. At Lecoq Ethel also learned the importance of precision in theatre.

Ethel's work is influenced by human nature, the instincts to do and say things and to react to the impulses that we are told not to follow. By exposing the naivety that we all have hidden inside, permission is given to make mistakes and find joy from them.

Reviews from our audiences

"Ethel held the stage and audience brilliantly and Julian was a good support and added the musical texture - loved how the audience were woven into the performance imaginatively - thank you"

"Titan Tim was refreshing, talented, excellent ad lib superbly choreographed and executed with supporting talented musician (Dodger) loved the audience inclusion, participation which made it inclusive and interactive. Well done.'

"Fabulous new take on an old favourite with such fun audience participation. Go and see it if you can!"

"Extremely well performed and well thought out! Throughly enjoyed watching and participating, one of the best performances I've seen recently, would highly recommend watching and cannot emphasise how much of strong and talented performer Ethel is."

"Brilliant - a joyful, fast moving Christmas show with lots of laughs and surprises. Ethel Darling’s solo performance is heartwarming and great fun - we absolutely loved it and will be going to see it again"

"Really engaging, fresh and imaginative, Ethel is very charismatic."

"The Muppets aint got nothing on Ethel. ★★★★★ I laughed so much I couldn’t breath."

"A fun show, good for families. Lots of humour and interaction. Get your Christmas fix!"

"Better than Dickens, as good as the Muppets"

"This is a wonderful show, really funny & warm & so clever. Ethels interactions with the audience are so on point; understated but absolutely spot on - would recommend to all."

"Brilliant hilarious high octane delicious version of xmas carol!"

"A fresh take on a classic tale. Fearless silliness and Entertaining stage craft make for a great night out!"

"Hah Bumhug! Was brilliant. Clever, witty & funny, suitable for adults & children alike."