Operation Beach Hut Musical coming to West Yorkshire

Picture this: the sound of waves, the smell of fish and chips, and the sight of brightly coloured little huts lining the shore. The Great British seaside holiday is a classic for a reason. And now, a theatre company is bringing all that nostalgic charm to a venue near you, but with a twist. The Mikron Theatre Company, famous for its quirky productions and very unusual touring methods, is setting off on a massive UK tour in 2025 with a brand-new musical called Operation Beach Hut. And the best part? They're making a couple of stops right here in West Yorkshire. So, if you're looking for a brilliant day out that’s a bit different, this could be just the ticket.

What's the story with Operation Beach Hut?

Forget your typical theatre trip. Operation Beach Hut is a musical that whisks you off to the fictional seaside town of Fiddling-On-Sea. The town is buzzing because it’s time for the annual ‘Best Beach Hut’ competition, and things are about to get serious. The story follows Holly, a city slicker who’s escaped to the coast for a bit of peace and quiet. But as she gets caught up in the competition, she starts to realise there's much more to these little wooden huts than meets the eye. The history of the British seaside starts washing up on shore, bringing with it all sorts of characters and stories from years gone by. It’s a tale about community, history, and discovering that the biggest prizes in life aren’t always the ones you can polish. The whole production is brought to life by just four incredibly talented actor-musicians, promising fantastic storytelling packed with catchy tunes and live music. It's the kind of feel-good show that leaves you with a massive smile on your face.

A unique theatre experience

When people talk about a touring theatre company, you probably imagine a big lorry pulling up. Well, that's not quite how Mikron rolls. Or, rather, sails. For over 50 years, the Mikron Theatre Company has been travelling the country’s canals and rivers on a vintage narrowboat. That's right, a narrowboat! They also have a van for the bits the waterways can't reach. This adventurous spirit means they don't just perform in regular theatres. They pop up almost anywhere you can think of—village halls, community centres, pubs, and even allotments. This makes every single performance of their tour feel special and unique. It’s pop-up theatre at its finest, bringing brilliant stories directly into the heart of communities. This touring production is no different, making its way to 138 different venues during its 2025 season.

Music, accessibility, and a word from the director

The show is a musical, so you can expect some top-tier live music. The score, composed by Amal El-Sawad, is designed to get your toes tapping. But what makes this production really stand out is its commitment to being accessible for everyone. Every single performance has integrated audio description. Now, that might sound a bit technical, but it’s actually a really clever and simple idea. Instead of needing a special headset, the descriptions of the action, characters, and scenery are woven directly into the script and performed live. It means audience members who are blind or visually impaired can enjoy the show just as much as everyone else, which is fantastic.

Marianne McNamara, Mikron’s Artistic Director, is clearly buzzing about the new show. She says,

"We're incredibly excited to bring 'Operation Beach Hut' to audiences across the country. This production is a celebration of British seaside culture, filled with heart-warming stories, catchy tunes, and plenty of laughter. We are excited that we have integrated audio description at every performance."

Who's behind the production?

A great show needs a great team, and this one is no exception. The story and lyrics for Operation Beach Hut come from the pen of Harvey Badger, with Marianne McNamara directing. The catchy tunes are composed by Amal El-Sawad, and the musical direction is handled by Sonum Batra. On stage, the talented cast who will be playing multiple roles and instruments includes Georgina Liley, James McLean, Robert Took, and Catherine Warnock. It's a proper team effort to bring this seaside story to life.

Where and when can you catch the show in West Yorkshire?

Right, the important bit! The national tour for this wonderful musical runs from 4th April until 18th October 2025, but there are two key dates for anyone in West Yorkshire. Here’s where you can get your tickets and see the show:

Date	Venue	Time	Tickets
27th September 2025	The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, Wakefield	7:00 pm	Full £16, Concession £14, Family £45
5th October 2025	Slaithwaite Civic Hall, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield	6:00 pm	Full £16, Concession £14, Family £45

What else is Mikron up to?

As if one amazing new show wasn’t enough, the company is also touring another play in 2025. For those who fancy something a bit different from the seaside, there's 'Hush Hush!'. It's a beautifully written play by Lucie Raine that tells the story of Bletchley Park—the famous home of the World War II codebreakers. It’s a completely different world of secrets, cyphers, and suspense, but with the same signature Mikron storytelling and song. So whether you’re after a breezy trip to the beach hut or a dive into the world of wartime secrets and complex cyphers, the Mikron tour has something for you.