Veteran puppeteer, clown and audience whisperer Dik Downey makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut at the age of 63 in this one-man show, placing his own mid-life crisis deep in the heart of Don Quixote's impossible dreams in a touching and funny reflection on the joys and indignities of growing old. Downey hurtles through all 939 pages of the 1605 novel in just 55 minutes, accompanied by puppets Sancho Panza and Rocinante, in scenes of slapstick, clowning and puppet manipulation. The show was written and devised by Emma Williams, Dik Downey and Chris Collier, with an original score by composer Simon Preston, and was created over six weeks in Stamsund, Norway, home of co-producers Nordland Visual Theatre.
Cast and Creative Team for Don Quixote (is a very big book) at Pleasance
Cast
Dik Downey
Ensemble
Sancho Panza
Ensemble
Rocinante
Ensemble
Creative Team
Dik Downey
Deviser
Emma Williams
Writer
Dik Downey
Writer
Chris Collier
Writer
Simon Preston
Composer
Opposable Thumb Theatre
Co-Producer
Nordland Visual Theatre
Co-Producer
News About Don Quixote (is a very big book) at Pleasance
Dik Downey Will Make Fringe Debut With DON QUIXOTE (IS A VERY BIG BOOK)
May 12, 2026 Puppeteer and clown Dik Downey makes his Edinburgh Fringe debut at 63 with DON QUIXOTE (IS A VERY BIG BOOK), a one-man show at the Pleasance Dome blending slapstick, puppetry, and Cervantes' 939-page novel into 55 minutes.About the Theatre
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