New Festive Christmas Theatre Coming to Yorkshire

Looking for something a bit different to get into the Christmas spirit this year? Forget scrolling through the same old films on telly. Two of Yorkshire’s coolest theatre companies, Red Ladder Theatre Company and Wrongsemble, are teaming up to bring a double bill of festive fun on a tour across England. That’s right, two brilliant shows for the price of... well, two tickets. But it's a fantastic two-for-one deal for your festive diary, with one show perfect for the grown-ups and another for the whole family. The action kicks off in Leeds this November before heading out on a proper northern tour.

A festive team-up in Yorkshire

It’s not every day that two major theatre players join forces like this. Red Ladder and Wrongsemble, both big names in the Yorkshire arts scene, have decided to pool their creative talents. They’re even sharing the same cast for both productions, which is a clever way to bring more top-quality theatre to more communities. This collaboration means audiences get double the festive cheer. Cheryl Martin, the artistic director for Red Ladder Theatre, is clearly excited about the partnership. She said:

“It’s wonderful for us and Wrongsemble to be able to collaborate like this. With the same cast appearing in both productions, it’s a great way of pooling our resources and bringing entertaining stories to life.”

“I’m a big fan of Christmas and though these are very different shows they both tap into the festive spirit, and we all need a little bit of that!”

Elvi Piper, who is the artistic director for the theatre company Wrongsemble, shared the excitement about the tour.

“We can’t wait to take these shows on the road this Christmas and share them with audiences right across the country.”

“This partnership is all about immediacy, about bringing stories, laughter, and music directly into communities when people need them most. We've assembled an incredible team of artists to do this, and we're excited to share the magic that's bubbling in the rehearsal room.”

It sounds like this festive show is exactly what's needed.

For the grown-ups: A Proper Merry Christmess

If you think Christmas is as much about family chaos and stress as it is about goodwill and glitter, then A Proper Merry Christmess is the show for you. Billed as a chaotic Christmas comedy for grown-ups (that’s anyone aged 16 and over), this play promises to show the honest, messy side of the festive season that the classic films often skip. It’s got all the heartbreak and humour of a real family Christmas.

The story is set in a garden centre in West Yorkshire on Christmas Eve. The staff are all buzzing because it’s time for the seasonal bonus, but there’s a catch – only one department can win the cash. The play follows Team Grotto as they try to keep their dysfunctional festive cheer from falling apart. The big question is, can they sleigh the competition with Christmas spirit alone, or will they have to get their hands dirty?

This new comedy from Red Ladder was developed with help from local communities in Leeds, including BITMO (Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation) and St George’s Crypt, a charity that supports homeless people. So, it’s a story with real local roots, written by Leeds-based writers Seeta Wrightson and Leon Fleming, and directed by the brilliant Cheryl Martin.

For the little ones (and their grown-ups): A Town Called Christmas

Now for something the whole family can enjoy. A Town Called Christmas is a magical adventure for kids aged three and up. The story follows a young hero called Clementine, who dreams of a perfect gingerbread village where chocolate coins are money and laughter is everywhere. It’s supposed to be the happiest place on Earth… or it was, anyway. Something has gone wrong in the town, and the festive spirit is fading fast. But Clementine isn't giving up. With the help of a grumpy caretaker and a robot that keeps breaking down, she sets off on a mission to generate enough Christmas cheer to save the day.

It’s a heart-warming tale full of music, adventure, and imagination, perfect for getting the little ones excited for the big day. This family show was written by Elvi Piper, who also co-directs with Richard Priestley, and features original music from Bay Bryan and Claire O'Connor. It's a creative masterpiece from Wrongsemble, a company known for its fantastic family theatre.

Meet the creative team and cast

A great show needs a great team, and this double bill has talent in spades. The cast, who will be performing in both A Proper Merry Christmess and A Town Called Christmas, features three fantastic actors.

• Charles Doherty is a northern-based actor and singer who has appeared in big TV shows like The Pentaverate and The Tattooist of Auschwitz.
• Maryam Ali is an actor and theatre maker from Teesside who is making waves in the theatre world.
• Roo Arwen is a singer, musician, and actor from Yorkshire, and these shows will be her professional theatre debut. What a way to start!

Behind the scenes, the creative team is just as impressive. The director for the Red Ladder show is Cheryl Martin, a major figure in the arts. The writer team includes stand-up comedian Seeta Wrightson making her playwriting debut, alongside the experienced Leon Fleming. For the Wrongsemble production, the writer and director Elvi Piper leads a team that knows exactly how to make a brilliant family show.

Where and when can you catch the shows?

The tour kicks off at Slung Low in Holbeck, Leeds, at the end of November before visiting five other venues across England. Here’s where you can catch each show:

A Proper Merry Christmess Tour Dates

Venue	Date	Time
Slung Low, The Warehouse In Holbeck, Leeds	Nov 28 – 29	7pm
Stockton Arts Centre (ARC)	Dec 3, 4 & 10	7.30pm
Wakefield Exchange	Dec 15	8pm
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle	Dec 20	7.30pm
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield	Dec 22 – 23	6pm

A Town Called Christmas Tour Dates

Venue	Date	Time
Slung Low, The Warehouse In Holbeck, Leeds	Nov 29	2pm
Stockton Arts Centre (ARC)	Dec 2 – 13	Varies
Wakefield Exchange	Dec 15	5.30pm
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle	Dec 19 – 21	Varies
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield	Dec 22 – 24	11am & 2pm
Brighton Dome	Dec 27 – 31	Varies

A bit about the theatre companies

So, who are the masterminds behind this festive theatre tour? Red Ladder Theatre Company is a Leeds-based institution with over 55 years of history. They are known for making bold new plays that tell stories about real life, often with a northern, working-class voice. They’re not afraid to tackle big ideas, and they take their shows everywhere, from big theatres to local pubs. Wrongsemble is also based in Leeds and is all about creating amazing theatre experiences for young people and their families. They believe in making the arts accessible for everyone and have won awards for their creative work. They are known for creating a magical show that brings communities together. This partnership between a radical political theatre group and a brilliant family theatre company is a match made in festive heaven.