Director, writer and performer Katie Villa of Quirk Theatre talks about imagination as activism, and how Theatre can help us imagine better futures.

In this joyful, reflective chat we cover:

• Katie’s creative roots and her discovery of Exeter’s vibrant arts scene.
• The evolution of Quirk Theatre, renowned for inventive family productions blending playfulness and purpose.
• Creating Dayzee and the World of Tomorrow — a show co-designed with Exeter’s children and climate scientists to explore optimistic futures.
• The process of turning big global challenges into accessible, funny, and emotionally resonant stories.
• Why “mischief and love” are at the heart of every Quirk show.

Resources & Links

• Quirk Theatre https://www.quirktheatre.co.uk
• The Bike Shed Theatre (Archive) https://www.bikeshedtheatre.co.uk
• Exeter Phoenix https://www.exeterphoenix.org.uk
• Theatre Alibi https://www.theatrealibi.co.uk

Chris Wood, organiser with Exeter Community Alliance (ECA), a city-wide umbrella network helping nearly 100 local groups collaborate, share space, and engage the public. We talk about moving “beyond protest” to long-term, community-led action; why shared high-street space matters; and how ECA is weaving climate, social justice, culture and civic groups into a practical, supportive network. 

In this episode:

• How XR activism led to forming Exeter Community Alliance and a public-facing hub model. 
• Why the original charity was called Climate Action Hub Exeter and why it now trades as Pulse (to reflect broader crises beyond climate). 
• The “movement of movements” idea: coordinating newsletters, events, and joint actions across ~100 groups. 
• Making empty shops work for people: using the Climate Emergency Centres model and new High Street Rental Auctions powers. 
• Practical examples: People’s Assemblies, the Climate Fresk workshop, an ECA city-wide events calendar, and public drop-ins. 

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Exeter Community Alliance (ECA) – umbrella network & hub info: https://www.exetercommunityalliance.net 
• Pulse (formerly Climate Action Hub Exeter) – charity/home of the hub (20 Queen St): https://climateactionhubexeter.net
• Climate Emergency Centres (CEC) – the “use empty shops as community hubs” model: https://climateemergencycentre.co.uk 
• Exeter Community Energy (ECoE) – community-owned renewables / energy advice: https://www.ecoe.org.uk 

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Alice Mills and Dr Natalie Whitehead, co-founders of the Exeter Science Centre, to explore how two physicists turned their passion for public engagement into a grassroots movement for science, sustainability, and community connection in the South West.

Together, we talk about:

• How a chance conversation between two physicists sparked the idea for a new kind of science centre.
• Why hands-on discovery and local relevance matter for tackling global challenges like climate change.
• The innovative Living Wall project in collaboration with the University of Plymouth, and what it’s teaching us about biodiversity, wellbeing, and urban cooling.
• Citizen-science projects including the Citizen Phage Library and Freshwater Watch, empowering schools and local communities to monitor water quality and discover new bacteriophages.
• The vision for future Exeter Science Centres as cultural and scientific hubs: spaces where art, science, and community come together to imagine a better future.
• And their hopes for a greener, more connected Exeter that leads the way in climate action and public engagement with science.

Resources & Links Mentioned

• Exeter Science Centre – official site, newsletter signup, and volunteer opportunities https://www.exetersciencecentre.org
• Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) – UK network of 50+ science centres https://www.sciencecentres.org.uk
• Citizen Phage Library – information on phage discovery and antibiotic-resistance research https://www.citizenphagelab.com
• Freshwater Watch – global citizen-science programme monitoring water quality https://freshwaterwatch.thewaterhub.org
• Positive Tipping Points Research (University of Exeter) – studies on how collective actions create systemic change https://positivetippingpoints.com
• University of Plymouth – Living Wall Research https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/livingwalls

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