BITESIZE & NIBBLES
Nibbles 2025 - 2026
The Cultural Spring is excited to launch Nibbles, a reimagined version of our successful Bitesize commissions.
Because great things often start small, Nibbles is all about bite-sized bursts of creativity, small but mighty pop-up events that bring theatre, art, music, and performance right into the heart of communities across Sunderland and South Tyneside. Just like sharing a plate of good food brings people together, these commissions are designed to be collaborative, inviting local artists and performers to serve up unforgettable experiences.
What are Nibbles?
Nibbles are small-scale commissions that bring together artists, musicians, theatre-makers, and dancers who will be matched with local venues and/or community groups to create and test out new performance ideas. Each commission is an opportunity to explore themes relevant to a local area or community group, using the expertise of artists and performers to develop and trial these early-stage ideas.
Expressions of interest are now being accepted!
What is Bitesize?
Bitesize is a theatre, dance, or music performance, that is co-created with local people as genuine partners in the shows. The performances are hosted in local community venues and are about people coming together and sharing food themed to the shows, giving time to meet and make new connections.
Bitesize 2024/25
Bitesize 2024/25 was a huge success!
We saw seven commissions touring across South Tyneside and Sunderland. The commissions, from The Cultural Spring and The Cultural Spring Charity, are funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
The Bitesize commissions were chosen from a shortlist by a panel of Cultural Spring Community Champions and each one included an element of sharing food and local people played a leading role in creating the pieces.
The Bitesize commissions touring Sunderland and South Tyneside in 2024/25 were:
It’s a Kitchen Disco by Hannah Goudie-Hunter and Georgia Hill collaborated to bring children’s book Kitchen Disco by Clare Foges and Al Murphy to life.
Here Be Dragons by Unfolding Theatre, a show for families, filled with music, fun and adventure performed on a pop-up stage made from reclaimed wood.
Grubbins Wood by Timbadash Theatre, is a sensory and immersive theatre show for young people with autism and/or complex additional needs.
The commissions touring South Tyneside were:
Yarns from Hyem, by Hooley Theatre, was four back-to-back short plays that were written, performed, directed and produced by North East talent. The plays told stories that are relatable, hilarious and heart- warming and reflect the richness of our region’s communities.
Sweet Caroline and the Football Boots by We Make Culture, is an interactive, music-led performance for children told via a script and original songs, written and performed by community musicians Ashleigh Lowes and Paige Temperley.
Pain in the Arts, by Theatre Space North East, was a theatrical performance exploring the ever-growing subject area of chronic pain - incorporating acting, music, stand-up comedy, poetry, and arts/crafts - co-created by members of the chronic pain community of South Tyneside.
Mixtape, by The Six Twenty, throws musical genres in a blender to create a highly entertaining show for friends and families to enjoy. Think pub quiz meets "Whose Line Is It Anyway” with a dash of karaoke sing–along, and you're getting close.
Feedback and stats from Bitesize 2024/25
This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit UK Shared Prosperity Fund: prospectus - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
