Ripon Theatre Festival

Hilarity Bites Festival Special
2025-07-01 20:00 - 22:00 UTC | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Ripon Theatre Festival joins forces with Ripon Arts Hub’s monthly Hilarity Bites Comedy Club to present a special show headlined by Larry Dean. Larry’s credits include the Royal Variety Performance in 2024, two appearances on Live at the Apollo (once as host), Mock the Week, House of Games, Roast Battle, World’s Most Dangerous Roads, The Stand Up Sketch Show, The Comedy Roast for SU2C, and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show. Larry has also been nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award three times, has had a stand-up special aired on Channel 4, and is currently in the middle of a world tour of his latest show.
“Physical comedy that would have done Billy Connolly proud” – The Mirror
“There is no doubt about it, this guy is hilarious. Sensational” – Michael McIntyre
“Destined to become a household name” The Telegraph
Joining Larry is the “filthy and fabulous” Lou Conran, who has just returned from performing at comedy festivals in Australia and New Zealand, and supporting her great friend Sarah Millican on her international tour, including opening for her at many big theatres throughout the UK. Lou was winner of the Best MC at the 2020/21 Comics Comic Awards, regularly provides warm-up for numerous TV shows, is a regular voice on BBC Radio 4, and is one half of the award nominated podcast ‘Spit or Swallow/ and the new podcast ’Tough Gig’.

Note: Line-ups are subject to change in extreme, and unavoidable, circumstances.
Show may contain strong language and adult themes.
Doors 7.30pm, Show starts 8pm
Ticket price: £12

Spy Movie: The Play!
2025-07-04 20:00 - 22:00 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Agent Blonde has 24 hours to save the world. The only things standing in her way are dastardly villains, an outrageous plot, and… a lack of funding. When Hollywood rejects her script, a frustrated screenwriter invites you, an audience of producers, to a one-night-only presentation of The Greatest Spy Movie (n)Ever Made! From two of the minds behind The New Musketeers (Trinity Theatre) and stars of The Play That Goes Wrong and Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Spy Movie: The Play! is a new hilarious homage to Bond movies and fringe theatre suitable for the whole family.
“Rollickingly funny.. our faces were aching with how much we were smiling.”
Presented by Norwich Theatre and Albert Cabbage
Age guide 12+
Running time: Approximately two hours including an interval.
Friday 4 July, 8pm.
Tickets £14

Saturday Street Entertainment
2025-07-05 10:00 - 16:00 | Ripon City Centre
Walkabout acts, crazy characters, circus and clowning bring the streets and open spaces of Ripon to life throughout the day.
Spend the day in Ripon soaking up the atmosphere – the best in street theatre, circus, dance, magic and fun.
Professional acts come together with community performers.
Performances will be staged at Ripon Market Place, Minster Gardens (in front of the Courthouse Museum), on Ripon Cathedral Forecourt and on Kirkgate.
All events are FREE.

Calamity Dames
These rootin tootin, gun slingin’, whip crackin’ cowgirls will give any cowboy a run for their money! Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride! Presented by Kitsch n Sync.

Books!
A high energy show featuring acrobatics, fire-juggling, jokes and, of course, books. Four bedraggled book enthusiasts travel from town to town – forced between the margins – on a mission to protect literature. Presented by Tit for Tat Circus.

Cloudscapes
Take some time to chill out, festival-style. Visit the Cloud Museum Trailer and relax on a giant beanbag to enjoy this fabulous part-installation/part-performance. As you lie back and look up, you’ll listen on headphones to a story all about the clouds, the sky and Lorna’s journey of a lifetime with her father. Presented by Gobbledegook Theatre.

The Dame Judy & Mr Punchinello Show!
Classic seaside mayhem with a family friendly modern twist!
Dame Judy (not that Dame Judi) has finally taken over! About time too! The show was getting far too rambunctious for it’s own good. But will Mr Punchinello agree to the new rules? It seems highly unlikely!
All the puppet show favourites are here in a topsy-turvy, parallel universe, reimagining of the seaside classic. That’s the way to do it….hopefully. Presented by Grandly Strange Puppet Theatre.

Lula Hoopa
Dynamic hula hoop circus act. Rhythmic gymnastics, dance and fun. You might even get a chance to give it a go yourself.

The Knighty Knights
Two brave and fearless knights on a quest to travel the land and bring forth joy and laughter.

The Fantastic Mr Forster
Prepare to be amazed! The Fantastic Mr Forster brings 45 minutes of wonder, laughter, and a touch of magic to audiences of all ages. Mr Forster’s dazzling tricks and fun-filled performances will have everyone talking long after the final “abracadabra”!

Victoria Sponge & Flour Power
A living, breathing and beautifully-dressed dessert, accompanied by her proud baker. The sweetest duo in town!
Presented by Chicks on Sticks.

Tooti Fruity
A “pear” of flamboyant, fruit-obsessed, banana-battling eccentrics take to the streets.
Presented by Kerfuffle Street Theatre.

The Story Cart
A travelling storyteller and his medieval cart. Choose a myth or a monster and see where the story leads. Presented by Stories Alive.

Plus a line-up of community performers from across the region, including:

Ripon City Morris
Yorkshire Voices
Slubbing Billy’s
Belebele
The Wakeman Mummers’ Musicians
Ripon Dance Academy
Betty Lupton’s Ladle Laikers
Lily Worth
Calle Oche
Grace Hughes
The Daytones
Skellside Folk
Flamenco de Leeds

Calamity Dames
2025-07-05 10:30 - 11:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
“This town ain’t big enough for the both of us….”
Introducing ‘CALAMITY DAMES’ these Rootin Tootin Cowgirls will give any Cowboy a run for their money!
In a male dominated Rodeo arena, these horse ridin’, gun slingin’, whip crackin’ gals are now calling the shots!
A comedy dance theatre ‘hoedown’ inspired by famous Western films, movie soundtracks and notorious Cowgirls and boys in history, both real and fictional.
YeeeeeHaaaaaa! Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Presented by Kitsch n Sync Collective.
FREE EVENT
10.30 – 11am Market Place
12.15 – 12.45pm Market Place
3.15 – 3.45pm Market Place

Books!
2025-07-05 11:00 - 11:45 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Books! is a high energy show featuring acrobatics, fire-juggling, eccentric absurdity, terrible puns and, of course, books. Four bedraggled book enthusiasts travel from town to town – forced between the margins – on a mission to protect literature.
The libraries keep closing, their beloved books are being forced out into the streets, where the rain is heavy and the sun is getting hotter!
But with the membership numbers of their strange little book club dwindling, they must embark on a quest to recruit more radical reading enthusiasts. Without new members, the book club might be closed forever! (you make take a moment to gasp in horror)
These Hardback Heroes can’t let such a tragic epilogue come to pass… but they need you. Yes, YOU. You can already read – so we’re halfway there.
Presented by Tit for Tat Circus.
FREE EVENT
11.00 – 11.45am Market Place
1.45 – 2.30pm Market Place

The Fantastic Mr Forster
2025-07-05 12:00 - 12:45 | Minster Gardens, Minster Road,, Ripon, HG4 1QS, United Kingdom
Prepare to be amazed! The Fantastic Mr Forster brings 45 minutes of wonder, laughter, and a touch of magic to audiences of all ages. Mr Forster’s dazzling tricks and fun-filled performances will have everyone talking long after the final “abracadabra”!
FREE EVENT
12- 12.45pm Minster Gardens
2.30 – 3.15pm Market Place

Calamity Dames
2025-07-05 12:15 - 12:45, 2025-07-05 15:15 - 15:45 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
“This town ain’t big enough for the both of us….”
Introducing ‘CALAMITY DAMES’ these Rootin Tootin Cowgirls will give any Cowboy a run for their money!
In a male dominated Rodeo arena, these horse ridin’, gun slingin’, whip crackin’ gals are now calling the shots!
A comedy dance theatre ‘hoedown’ inspired by famous Western films, movie soundtracks and notorious Cowgirls and boys in history, both real and fictional.
YeeeeeHaaaaaa! Buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!
Presented by Kitsch n Sync Collective.
FREE EVENT
10.00 – 10.30am Market Place
12.15 – 12.45pm Market Place
3.15 – 3.45pm Market Place

Lula Hoopa
2025-07-05 12:45 - 13:15 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Dynamic hula hoop circus act. Rhythmic gymnastics, dance and fun. You might even get a chance to give it a go yourself.
FREE EVENT
10.30 – 11.00 Cathedral Forecourt
12.45 – 1.15am Market Place

Books!
2025-07-05 13:45 - 14:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Books! is a high energy show featuring acrobatics, fire-juggling, eccentric absurdity, terrible puns and, of course, books. Four bedraggled book enthusiasts travel from town to town – forced between the margins – on a mission to protect literature.
The libraries keep closing, their beloved books are being forced out into the streets, where the rain is heavy and the sun is getting hotter!
But with the membership numbers of their strange little book club dwindling, they must embark on a quest to recruit more radical reading enthusiasts. Without new members, the book club might be closed forever! (you make take a moment to gasp in horror)
These Hardback Heroes can’t let such a tragic epilogue come to pass… but they need you. Yes, YOU. You can already read – so we’re halfway there.
Presented by Tit for Tat Circus.
FREE EVENT
11.00-11.45am Market Place
1.45-2.30pm Market Place

The Fantastic Mr Forster
2025-07-05 14:30 - 15:15 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Prepare to be amazed! The Fantastic Mr Forster brings 45 minutes of wonder, laughter, and a touch of magic to audiences of all ages. Mr Forster’s dazzling tricks and fun-filled performances will have everyone talking long after the final “abracadabra”!
FREE EVENT
12.00 – 12.45pm Minster Gardens
2.30 – 3.15pm Market Place

Almost Austen
2025-07-05 20:00 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
Catherine is a modern girl in love with Jane Austen’s world. She can’t believe her luck when she meets her very own Mr Tilney.
Through passages from Northanger Abbey, songs from musicals and operatic classics, singer Louise Geller relates Catherine’s romantic ups and downs as real life and fantasy collide.
Following a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024, celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday festival-style. ‘A must for any Janeite’
Age guide 12+
Saturday 5 July, 8pm.
Tickets £14
