Hijinx is one of Europe’s leading inclusive theatre companies, based at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff, Wales. Hijinx creates exhilarating, subversive theatre from large to small scale for both indoor and outdoor performance.

Artists with learning disabilities and/or autism are involved every step of the way in the making and performing of their stories.

Hijinx was founded in 1981 by Gaynor Lougher and Richard Berry after they were asked to create a performance for Ely Festival in Cardiff. They enjoyed the experience so much they began to tour small scale productions throughout Wales with the set and costumes stuffed into the back of an old estate car. The company they created together took theatre to people’s doorsteps in places that do not have access to the glitzy arts centres and grand theatres of our towns and cities. At the company’s heart there has always been a commitment and belief that theatre is for everyone.

After touring as a performer with Hijinx for 11 years, Gaynor became the Artistic Director in 1994, taking the lead on shows for the learning disabled community as well as running numerous projects and workshops and setting up Hijinx Odyssey in 1999, a community drama group for adults of all abilities which is still going strong.

In 2004, Hijinx moved into the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff and in 2006 started to create shows that cast actors with learning disabilities in a professional capacity alongside actors without disabilities.

In 2008, Hijinx founded Unity Festival as a platform for the highest quality inclusive and disability arts from around the world.

The first Hijinx Academy was introduced in 2012 to support their commitment that all Hijinx professional touring shows would now include artists with learning disability and/or autism.

In 2014, Gaynor and Richard were presented with the Special Recognition Award at the Theatre Critics of Wales Awards as the founder members of Hijinx.