Incidents is inspired by a letter written in 1723 from an anonymous enslaved Virginian to the archbishop of London, asking the archbishop, and vicariously King George, to “releese us out of this cruell bondegg”. It is thought to be the earliest written plea for freedom from slavery in the British Empire. The extraordinary 1723 letter …
Formed to celebrate the 1100 anniversary of Ripon's City Charter, the Wakeman Mummers are celebrating their 40th anniversary in 2026. Reviving a tradition which goes back many centuries, the “St Wilfrid Play” will be repeated around 5 of Ripon’s hostelries by a colourful band of performers and musicians telling, simply and with humour, the story of King …
International cabaret siren Amber Topaz brings you a brand new, classy, sassy, fabulous musical revue, celebrating redheaded musical theatre stars of stage and screen. A delicious cocktail of Old Hollywood glamour, West End and Broadway classics. Full to the brim with iconic show-stopping numbers, honouring these formidable flame-haired trailblazers that have shaped musical theatre herstory. …
Have you got a wild side? Batty has, she dreams of running barefoot, wild swimming, of talking trees, strange animals and the scent of the seasons turning. In fact she’s starting to wonder if she might be a witch… Join Batty and her companion Wildthing for gossip, gay abandon, exquisite tenderness and raucous stories (with …
Excitement! Drama! Romance! And... knitting? An award-winning cabaret of the “lost” knitting songs of WWI and WWII from Canada, Britain, America, and France. Feel free to bring your knitting (or crochet) and stitch along to these funny, poignant, toe-tapping, needle-clicking tunes. Come out and have a ball! During the two World Wars, millions of women …
Renowned as the ‘Godfather of Gothic Horror’, Edgar Allan Poe was a pioneer in establishing the horror genre. Although his works are nearly 200 years old, Poe’s stories have stood the test of time and have inspired a countless number of horror writers. Using Poe’s original text from the 1840s, award-winning storyteller Stephen Smith faithfully …
Ripon Museums Theatre Group presents Peelers on the Prowl The return of the Workhouse Walkabouts. Come and meet Ripon's overworked Peelers as they deal with drunks and ne'er-do-wells and maybe chase a thief or poacher through the streets. FREE EVENT 11am-11.45am Kirkgate 1-1.45pm Kirkgaate
Short + Sweet Yorkshire is an annual festival of 10 minute new writing with participants showcased here at Ripon Theatre Festival. Enjoy four of the best short pieces from up-and-coming writers. Featuring homegrown talent from across Yorkshire, this is a chance to see fresh, original work from the region’s most exciting emerging artists. Don’t miss …
Inspired by the swashbuckling Three Musketeers or the street fights in Romeo and Juliet? Learn the secrets behind the action in a fun and active session including safe techniques for punches, slaps, and falls. Session led by performers and facilitators from Yorkshire CREATE. Based in Knaresborough, Yorkshire CREATE is an arts organisation dedicated to making creativity accessible to …
Ripon Museums present Peelers on the Prowl The return of the Workhouse Walkabouts. Come and meet Ripon's overworked Peelers as they deal with drunks and ne'er-do-wells and maybe chase a thief or poacher through the streets. FREE EVENT 11.00am 11.45am Kirkgate 1.00-1.45pm Kirkgate
Yorkshire CREATE presents Orpheus Yorkshire CREATE is a Knaresborough-based arts organisation dedicated to making creativity accessible to all. They deliver inclusive arts opportunities that support well-being, build confidence, and empower people of all ages and backgrounds to express themselves through creative activity. This youth performance of the new musical Orpheus showcases young talent re-imagining a …
All for One - and One for All! Alexandre Dumas wrote five Musketeers novels, the first appearing in 1844. They have enjoyed enormous popularity worldwide and are not just textbook examples of the Historical Romance but also hilarious pastiches of that genre. This one, the first, remains the greatest. Young D’Artagnan is desperate to join …
