Positive Stories for Negative Times is produced by Wonder Fools.
Wonder Fools
“One of the most vibrant young companies to emerge onto to the
Scottish theatre scene in recent years”
The Scotsman
We are a Glasgow-based theatre company and Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registered charity SC047673. Since 2017, we have created ambitious, socially engaged theatre with communities across Scotland and beyond. The Scotsman described Wonder Fools as “a blazing powerhouse of invention and activity.”
Our work spans two connected strands: professional productions co-created with communities, and Positive Stories for Negative Times, our flagship free international creative engagement programme for young people. Since 2020, PSFNT has engaged more than 12,000 young people across 24 countries, giving schools, youth theatres and community groups free access to new plays, play-blueprints, resources and support.
In Season 4, an independent evaluation found that 91% of young people felt taking part had given them a sense of pride and achievement, 90% felt confident or highly confident participating in drama-based activities, 88% of group leaders felt their group had developed new skills, and 91% felt the project had increased young people’s access to cultural opportunities. As one young participant put it: “I’m so much more confident. Life’s so much more than being shy!”
Wonder Fools has built a strong track record for work that combines artistic quality, public reach and social impact. The company was nominated for the Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards Empty Space… Peter Brook Award in 2026, while previous productions have received recognition, including a Bestie Award for Òran, an OFFIE nomination for Alright Sunshine, and a Critics’ Awards for Theatre in Scotland nomination for A Christmas Carol.
Our 2027 programme includes a work-in-progress of a new piece about conspiracy theories, inspired by half-reading Don Quixote, for Francesca Moody’s Shedinburgh; our five-star production of David Greig’s The Events; Positive Stories for Negative Times Season 5; Fringe and Glasgow performances of Tether 인연, our international collaboration with Theatre Company SAN; and the development of a new work in Japan exploring folklore, karaoke and loneliness.
For more information please visit: www.wonderfools.org
The Team
Jack Nurse (he/him) – Artistic Lead
Jack is a director and theatre-maker. He co-founded Glasgow-based theatre company Wonder Fools in 2014.
Jack was recently an Origins Artist with Headlong (2021-2) and is currently Creative Engagement Director at the Ayr Gaiety, Artist in Residence (Creative Development) at the Traverse Theatre and artistic lead of the international participatory project Positive Stories for Negative Times.
Training: Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and the National Theatre Studio Directors’ Course.
As Director/Writer:
549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War, The Coolidge Effect (Wonder Fools); When the Sun Meets the Sky (Traverse Theatre/Capital Theatres)
As Director:
And Then Come the Nightjars (Wonder Fools); Lampedusa (Citizens Theatre/Wonder Fools); Meet Jan Black (Wonder Fools/Ayr Gaiety); The Essence of the Job is Speed (Almeida Theatre); Larchview (National Theatre of Scotland); The Lost Elves (Citizens Theatre/RCS); The Mack, The Storm (Play, Pie, Pint/Traverse Theatre).
As Associate/Assistant Director:
Red Dust Road (National Theatre of Scotland/HOME); The Broons (Sell A Door); Dr Dolittle (Music & Lyrics); Oresteia: This Restless House (Citizens Theatre/National Theatre of Scotland), Blackbird (Citizens Theatre); The Winter’s Tale (Royal Lyceum); Hay Fever (Royal Lyceum/Citizens Theatre).
Robbie Gordon (he/him) – Artistic Lead
Robbie Gordon is a theatre-maker born in Prestonpans specialising in making work with and for communities. He trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland graduating in 2016 with the Drama in Education Award.
He is the co-founder of the critically acclaimed “fiercely curious” (The Herald) Wonder Fools, Creative Engagement Director at the Gaiety Theatre and a Creative Development Producer for the Traverse Theatre.
Selected credits include: Producer of Class Act (Traverse Theatre); writer and movement director of 549: Scots of the Spanish Civil War (Wonder Fools in association with the Citizens Theatre); writer and movement director of The Coolidge Effect (Wonder Fools); writer and director of McNeill of Tranent: Fastest Man in the World (Wonder Fools); writer of When the Sun Meets The Sky (Traverse Theatre and Capital Theatres); creator of Open Your Lugs (Ayr Gaiety); associate director of Square Go (Francesca Moody Productions); lead artist (Ayrshire) on Danny Boyle’s Pages of the Sea (National Theatre of Scotland).
www.robbiegordon.org