Tag Archives: Confessions of a Teletubby

Bedfringe 2024 Interview: Confessions of a Teletubby

Posted in *Bedfringe 2024, *EdFestivals 2024, *Written Interviews by

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“It’s always wonderful to be part of a bigger beast rather than going it alone!”

WHO: Nikky Smedley

WHAT: “Arguments and poo! Sex and swearing! Blood, sweat, tears and giant rabbits!

Life on the set of Teletubbies might not have been quite as you imagined… Fresh from sell-out shows at Edinburgh Fringe, Confessions of a Teletubby lifts the lid on what went on behind the scenes of one of the most globally successful TV shows ever.

Nikky Smedley played LaaLaa (the yellow one) in the original series of Teletubbies for six years – that’s a lot of custard for a grown woman to get excited about.

Come and hear how she got the job by dressing as a bistro table; what it was really like inside one of those (surprisingly large) Tubby suits; how the NooNoo really worked and why children loved the show so much.”

WHERE: Quarry Theatre

WHEN: 25 July 2023 @ 20:00 (70mins)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Bedfringe?

This IS my first time at Bedfringe. Firstly I love the name – very clever play on words. It’s a funky-looking festival with a great line-up. I’m super excited to be part of it. As a solo performer, it’s always wonderful to be part of a bigger beast rather than going it alone!

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2023 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I premiered the show at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe – three shows only, just to test it out and we sold out two of those. I’ve been touring, tweaking, honing and perfecting the content ever since and think it’s a better product now than what I started out with. Nothing like touring to help you learn how to make a show the best it can be.

Tell us about your show.

‘Confessions of a Teletubby’ pretty much does what it says on the tin. I spent six years of my life performing on Teletubbies, getting excited about custard and chasing a giant vacuum cleaner whose operator drove a better car than me! My show tells the story of how I got that job, and what it was really like to be part of such an amazing TV phenomenon.

Modern life can be pretty terrifying and gloomy, so I wanted to make a show that took people back to happier, safer, more innocent times and reminded them of the silly fun and joy that can be found in simple delights (like custard).

The show skirts a knife-edge between sharing all sorts of backstage gossip and secrets, and keeping the magic alive. Which isn’t to say that it might be a bit of a shock to some, finding out that one of their favourite giant yellow puppets is a bit of a potty mouth!

What should your audience see at Bedfringe after they’ve seen your show?

Joey Page – Pr*ck
Great title and anything that has a Malcolm Hardy commendation is okay in my book.

Kemah Bob – Miss Fortunate
Because I love her and her original outlook.

Luke Rollason, Luke Rollason, Let Down Your Hair
Once again a fab title and excellent image – yes I am shallow and do judge books by their cover!

Tony Slattery – Resuscitated
Because he recently followed me on Twitter, unprompted, and I was chuffed. See – shallow.

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EdFringe Talk: Confessions of a Teletubby

Posted in *Written Interviews, EdFestivals 2023 by

“In the 1980’s (yes I’m that old!) I used to bring my dance/theatre company “Geographical Duvet” to Edinburgh to perform a show on a double decker bus.”

WHO: Nikky Smedley

WHAT: “Three shows only! You remember Teletubbies, don’t you? Maybe you grew up with the programme… Did you ever wonder why it was so successful and who was bringing those well-loved characters to life? Find out with the original LaaLaa as she spills the beans on what went on behind the scenes and what it took to become one of the world’s most famous giant yellow puppets.”

WHERE: theSpace @ Surgeons Hall – Theatre 1 (Venue 53) 

WHEN: 10:20 (65 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

In the 1980’s (yes I’m that old!) I used to bring my dance/theatre company “Geographical Duvet” to Edinburgh to perform a show on a double decker bus. We picked the audience up from Waverley Station – which you could do in those days – and took them on a tour of oft-neglected corners of the city (Leith Docks, Fettes College, Pilton and the like) making stops along the way for outdoor performances and also entertaining on the bus. It was a lot of fun. This will be my first show since then, so it nevertheless feels very new. A lot has changed but the creative spirit of Edfringe remains uniquely thrilling.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2022 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

I came up to Fringe last year for the first time in 35 years! It’s a very different beast nowadays, of course, but I was swept along with the energy of the thing and it inspired me to want to revisit Edinburgh this year. I learned that venue and audience expectations tend towards shows that are an hour’s worth of tip-top material, then on to the next thing – no mucking about with intervals or unusual set-ups – just get in, be great, and finish on time.
I have created my show according to these expectations, which has been a very gratifying challenge, I just hope people enjoy it.

Tell us about your show.

My show was specially created for Edfringe and aside from one open rehearsal, this will be the first time anyone has seen it. It’s loosely based on my memoir about playing LaaLaa the yellow Teletubby – “Over The Hills And Far Away” – and is a startlingly honest set of behind-the-scenes confessions from those six years in Tubbyland. I’m mindful that the generation who grew up with Teletubbies (who are now, unbelievably, in their twenties and thirties) may not want their illusions shattered, but I’m hoping they may be intrigued to discover the reality behind those illusions. Others might be more interested in the down and dirty, so I’m treading a fine line!

Happily there is interest from other venues, and I’m kicking off at “Upstairs at the Western” in Leicester on September 21st.

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

Going back to my Edfringe roots, I’m looking forward to seeing ‘Ageless’ performed by PRIME – a company of dancers all over 60.

Also on the physical side, ‘The Art of Falling’ is a collaboration between young Scottish and Estonian dancers. Having spent time working in both countries I’m intrigued to see how the cultures combine in dance.

For describing her comedy as ‘absurdist’ and an excellent poster image and title – Ruth Hunter’s ‘The Ruth is on Fire’ is on my list.

The one’s I’m upset to be missing (can’t afford to stay for the whole Fringe!) are ‘Memento Mori Bitches’ by Leoni Amandin – again a great title and I’m fascinated by how she will combine comedy, death and puppetry – and ‘A Show About More Me(n) by Grace Campbell because her humour really appeals to my naughty side!

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