Fresh off the success of hits like The Assembly and Horrible Histories, creators Céin McGillicuddy and Andy Kinnear (Nanny Caddy) have launched a heartwarming and hilariously chaotic new pilot for ITVX: Play Time.
Play Time is a 2025 comedy special that celebrates neurodiversity in the most creative way possible. The premise? Six neurodivergent comedians collaborate with school children (ages 6-8) at Oakham Primary School to write, create, and perform a completely original play—all in just one day.
Puppetry with Purpose; Our very own Chris Barlow joined an incredible cast of performers, including Cariad Lloyd, Stuart Laws, Inel Tomlinson, Bec Hill, and Aruhan Galieva, to bring the children’s unfiltered, imaginative ideas to life.
In a production where the children are the “creative directors,” the cast and production had to be as fast-paced and flexible as their imaginations. It was a masterclass in:
- Spontaneous Creativity: Adapting writing. performance (and puppetry) on the fly to match the children’s wild storytelling.
- Inclusive Storytelling: Using comedy, music and even puppets as a bridge to boost confidence and create a safe, joyful space for neurodivergent expression.
- High-Stakes Comedy: Delivering a full stage play for the Kids and their families by the end of the day, bringing to life all their creativity within a high-pressure, single-day timeframe.
A Personal note: At Fuzzy Lightbulb, we love projects that have a “lovely to work with” ethos at their core. Play Time isn’t just a comedy special; it’s a confidence-boosting experience that proves when you give children the right tools and platforms—the results are “something else.” this is the kind of project we hold dear in our hearts.
You can catch Play Time now on ITVX and YouTube!
Project Quick Facts:
- Title: Play Time (ITVX / YouTube)
- Production Company: Nanny Caddy
- Core Theme: Neurodiversity and SEND inclusion in comedy.
- Fuzzy Lightbulb Role: Puppetry performance and creative collaboration.
- Cast: Chris Barlow, Cariad Lloyd, Stuart Laws, Inel Tomlinson, Bec Hill, Aruhan Galieva.