Former Teletubby bears all in sell-out show coming to Bristol

Ever wondered what life was like behind the scenes of one of the world’s most successful children shows? Well now you can find out.

In a new show coming to Bristol in May, ex-Teletubby Nikky Smedley promises to bear all.

The Teletubby star known as yellow-suited “Laa-Laa” will be answering questions from the audience about life behind the scenes of the weird and wonderful show.

Nikky began her career in dance theatre and eventually performed in the original series of the show for six years.

“I was looking for something else really, to take me to the next stage,” she told Bristol24/7. “You can only dance for so many years.”

When Nikky joined the show she was, like many children, captivated by the minds of its creators, Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport.

“They just had this magical way, not just this magical way of understanding how young children’s brains worked but also were absolutely vigilant in applying that to the programme.” she says.

“We all wanted to make (children) feel like they had these funny little friends on the TV screen where they could go to that would give them love and the educational aspect.”

“I think partly because of the people that they employed, not just the Tubbies but everybody else, all had a sense of play and a sense of fun and wanted to make something really work for the children who were watching.”

Confessions of a Teletubby is coming to the Alma Tavern in May – photo: Rebecca Knowles

This magic extended to the fantasy land, all crafted with care and detail to entertain, reach and engage young kids.

Back then there was no CGI, or green screen studio. Instead, a real life “Teletubby land” set was created. “It really existed in the English countryside. We were very isolated, and it was very beautiful!” she says.

Being in close proximity every day allowed the team to create a real bond, which Nikky says found its way through the screen and rubbed on the young people they were entertaining. “It wouldn’t have worked if it had been a grumpy studio.”

Teletubbies wasn’t all sunshine and roses. When the show reached international success, the production team were constantly having to defend themself from the accusations of the press.

“We got accused of just making this thing in order to sell toys,” she says. “That was absolutely not the motivation. It happened but it was a surprise to all of us.”

Now Nikky wants to share her stories from behind the scenes of the weird and wonderful show with the world. Confessions of a Teletubby has seen a sell-out run for the past year, and will come to the Alma Tavern in May.

“I hope to take the audience through my experience of getting the job as a Teletubby, and what it was like having to get used to working in that crazy world and how there were things you wouldn’t really expect that went on behind the scenes,” Nikki says.

“It’s about the human experience inside a suit.”

Her show’s popularity can also be attributed to the age of her audience. “The people who were our first audience, who grew up with the program, are now in their late 20s and early 30s, so I thought it would be a nice reminder.”

Nikki hopes to remind people of the “little land of innocence and fun and love”, especially in a world where “things are so difficult and arduous and scary”.

Alongside her show, Nikky continues to make appearances in festivals and fairs, working as a children’s storyteller for her own stories.

This year Nikki is set to do nine shows during Edinburgh Fringe Festival and has plans to tour across the UK until Spring 2025.

Confessions of a Teletubby will show at Alma Tavern on May 4. For tickets, visit www.tickettailor/almatheatrecompany.com.

All photos: Rebecca Knowles 

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