Red Ladder Local's Captivating Autumn Theatre Season in Yorkshire

Red Ladder Theatre Company has curated an exhilarating autumn season, featuring an eclectic mix of performances that will tour various alternative venues across Yorkshire. This initiative, part of Red Ladder Local, aims to bring theatre to diverse communities, making high-quality productions accessible to all.

Diverse Range of Shows for All Ages

Red Ladder Theatre Company’s autumn programme promises a mix of performances catering to all age groups and tastes. The season highlights include two of the company’s flagship productions: "We’re Not Going Back", a musical comedy centred on the 1984 miners’ strike as experienced by three sisters, and "Sanctuary", a new musical by Boff Whalley and Sarah Woods about a young Iranian seeking refuge in an English church.

Adding to the variety, acclaimed playwright Philip Stokes presents "LASH", a dynamic play blending theatre and gig elements. This production follows Sonny through a raucous Friday night, exploring modern youth culture.

Innovative Productions Featuring Hip-Hop and Fantasy

Gerel Falconer, the 2024 Best Book and Lyrics award winner at the Black British Theatre Awards, introduces "Tones – a Hip-Hop Opera" to West Yorkshire. This unique performance fuses hip-hop, grime, and opera to narrate a journey of self-discovery.

For family audiences, "Football Freddie" by Fidget Theatre and "Dragon", a visually stunning puppetry show, offer engaging and imaginative experiences. "Football Freddie" follows a young girl's adventure through time with her footballing ancestor, while "Dragon" captivates with its blend of puppetry and digital animation.

Chilling Ghost Stories to Conclude the Season

The season concludes with "Nightmares", a collaboration between The Book of Darkness & Light and LittleMighty. This production delves into three eerie ghost stories, featuring vengeful spirits and macabre promises from beyond the grave.

Red Ladder Local’s Mission and Impact

Since its inception in 2015, Red Ladder Local has brought theatre to unconventional spaces such as pubs, community centres, and church halls. By making tickets affordable, often no more than £5, the company encourages local communities to engage with new writing and performances.

Alice Barber, the creative producer and programmer at Red Ladder Theatre Company, emphasizes the programme’s variety, highlighting shows tailored for both adults and children. Notable mentions include "Football Freddie" and "Dragon" for younger audiences, alongside dynamic productions like "Tones" and "LASH" which have garnered acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Community Partnerships and Support

Red Ladder Local extends gratitude to its venue partners across Yorkshire, including The Grove Hall in South Kirkby, The Cluntergate Centre in Horbury, Belle Isle TMO in Leeds, and more. These collaborations ensure that theatre reaches audiences in their local environments.

Upcoming Performances and Tickets

Below is the schedule for the autumn season’s performances:

• LASH
  • The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury – 8 Sept, 7:30 PM
• Sanctuary
  • St Mary’s Parish Church, Hawksworth Wood, Leeds – 28 Sept, 7:30 PM
  • St John the Evangelist, Greenside, Barnsley – 5 Oct, 7:30 PM
  • The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury – 20 Oct, 7:30 PM
  • Grove Hall, Stockingate, South Kirkby (with post-show Q&A) – 11 Oct, 7:30 PM
• We’re Not Going Back
  • The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury – 5 Oct, 7:30 PM
  • Queen’s Mill, Castleford – 25 Oct, 7:30 PM
• Tones
  • St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley, Leeds – 7 Oct, 7:30 PM
• Football Freddie
  • St Bartholomew’s Church, Armley, Leeds – 26 Oct, 2 PM
• Dragon
  • Grove Hall, Stockingate, South Kirkby – 1 Nov, 1:30 PM
  • St John’s Parish Hall, Staincross, Barnsley – 2 Nov, 1:30 PM
  • The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury – 3 Nov, 1:30 PM
• Nightmares
  • St John’s Parish Hall, Staincross, Barnsley – 13 Nov, 7:30 PM
  • The Gate at Belle Isle TMO, Belle Isle, Leeds – 21 Nov, 7:30 PM

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Red Ladder Theatre Company’s website.

About Red Ladder Theatre Company

Red Ladder Theatre Company is a renowned radical theatre company, celebrated for its role in producing new theatre that promotes social change and global justice. Established in 1968, the company has a rich history rooted in the agitprop theatre movement. Red Ladder continues to produce plays that challenge societal norms and inspire communities.

With funding from Arts Council England and Leeds City Council, Red Ladder supports writers and artists in creating thought-provoking theatre that resonates with working-class and northern audiences. The company’s productions are staged in diverse venues, ensuring that theatre is accessible to all.