Close Enough to Touch: New Drama Tour in Yorkshire This Autumn

Welcome to Yorkshire

Inspiration • August 11th, 2026

A powerful new drama titled Close Enough to Touch is set to tour the North of England and the Midlands this autumn, thanks to a collaboration between Leeds-based Red Ladder Theatre Company and Hull’s Silent Uproar. Written by talented northern playwright Henry Roberts, this one-person show promises to delve into the complexities of desire, secrets, and identity.

About The Play

Close Enough to Touch is described as a gripping exploration of the inner turmoil that can accompany our most intimate desires. The story follows a man who has a girlfriend but is grappling with a secret life involving anonymous sexual encounters in public places, known as cruising. The play tackles the themes of shame and the challenge of articulating desires that might not align with societal expectations.

Henry Roberts, whose previous work was longlisted in the RSC 37 Plays Project, expressed his excitement about the production:

“I’m thrilled to be working with Red Ladder and Silent Uproar on Close Enough to Touch. I wrote the play because I wanted to explore the ambiguous sides of our desires – the kinds of desire that aren't easy to categorise or label, that may be contradictory to who we feel we are as people.”

Director's Insight

Cheryl Martin, the artistic director of Red Ladder and the director of this production, highlighted the importance of new writing in theatre:

“New writing is at the heart of what Red Ladder has been doing for nearly 60 years. That’s why we’re so excited to be working with a writer as gifted as Henry and a play as good as this.”

She believes that the play offers a multitude of possibilities for exploration, making it a rewarding project for both the creative team and the audience.

A Unique Perspective

Alex Mitchell, the artistic director of Silent Uproar, shared his thoughts on the production, describing it as “messy, filthy, funny and heartfelt.” He elaborated on the play's exploration of relationships and the shame that can arise when queer desires don't fit neatly into the lives people have constructed. Mitchell emphasised the humour and humanity present in Roberts' writing, noting, “It’s exactly the kind of work Silent Uproar exists to champion.”

The Cast

The role of the nameless protagonist will be played by Yorkshire-born actor Stefan Race, who trained at the Academy of Live & Recorded Arts (ALRA). Cheryl Martin praised Race’s audition, saying, “Stefan was the standout, matching the character so closely – even at audition – it hardly seemed like acting.” This casting decision suggests that Race’s performance will be a highlight of the production.