A group of actors wearing orange and yellow costumes and pointy hats smile warmly during a live performance by Flute Theatre. The inclusive scene is lit with soft red stage lighting under a chandelier, showcasing Flute Theatre’s unique adaptation of Shakespeare for autistic individuals using the Hunter Heartbeat Method. The ensemble’s joyful expressions reflect the company’s commitment to sensory-friendly theatre experiences. Flute Theatre also offers training and workshops for actors, teachers, applied theatre students, and families to support neurodiverse communities.

Transforming Theatre

We aim to make theatre as a healing, transformative and cathartic experience, creating interactive, playful and heartfelt performances with autistic people. Using the extraordinary listening skills and clarity of storytelling that has developed through this work, we create further productions for wider audiences at venues ranging from refugee camps to major international festivals. In 2024 we celebrated our tenth birthday.

"Flute Theatre is the most alive, courageously genuine and humane theatre I have ever seen. It takes a lot of courage to be honest and open, to be truly involved and caring, to do your absolute best and be 100 percent there for everyone in the theatre hall. I have known it since I first saw you in 2022. And yet you never cease to amaze me with going one step further each time. "King Lear" is probably the most demanding and intimidating play in the canon. Grief, confusion, and hopelessness are deeply human states that cannot be easily shared. Families caring for people with autism know it very well. You have managed to create a theatre space where despair is not so dark and heavy anymore because there are eyes that look at you with love and really see you, there are hands that hold you even when you are at your worst. It is a space where you can be mad, scared, lost and yet you still belong - simply because you are human and you deserve love. You show us a glimpse of the world I want to belong to".
Darya Lazarenko, New Bulgarian University

Two performers share a joyful moment during a Shakespeare workshop in India, capturing connection, support, and creativity while working with autistic artists.

"I am Neena Goel from WeCan, Kolkata. A big thank you for the priceless experience you gave to my kids. They cannot stop talking about it. You were magical."

View our full gallery of photos from Kolkata here

View Gallery

View Artistic Director Kelly Hunter's website here

Kelly Hunter's website

—India 2025

A diverse group of performers energetically engage in a live Flute Theatre performance, using expressive gestures and movement on a dimly lit stage. The actors wear casual, comfortable clothing in natural tones, creating an inclusive and accessible environment tailored for autistic individuals. This performance, inspired by Shakespeare and adapted using the Hunter Heartbeat Method, highlights Flute Theatre’s commitment to neurodiverse storytelling. Audience members can be seen watching with interest in the background. Flute Theatre also offers training and courses for actors, educators, applied theatre students, and families to support autism-friendly performance practices.

Support our Theatre

Huge thanks to Arts Council England and Bristol Myers Squibb for their invaluable support during Spring 2026.

Funding for the arts is currently said to be at a ‘terminal decline’ but we will continue to create our life changing opportunities whatever the challenges. Please help us continue with a one off donation or a monthly subscription. Your donations go directly toward our performances with marginalised people and always will.

Donate