Ripon Theatre Festival

Ripon Walled Garden Performers
2024-07-07 12:00 - 12:30 UTC | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
We can’t wait to welcome these performers back to the festival. Here’s what they told us about their group:
“At Ripon Walled garden, members attend the day service and take part in different activities such as dance, drama and singing with Makaton signs. Through singing, they learn Makaton sign language which improves communication. Dance and drama promote a sense of well-being and confidence. All our members are now well-rehearsed and have performed many times, both at the garden and at community events. Our theatre performers will be bringing you a selection of numbers from their recent show, Mary Poppins which was a huge hit”
FREE EVENT
12-12.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens

The Bombardiers
2024-07-07 12:30 - 13:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Tally Ho! and Chocks Away! Three courageous airmen, Roger, Reggie and Rupert are returning from battle when their trusty aeroplane is caught in a freak storm. The daring heroes bravely leap from the craft and find themselves hurled far and wide.
Armed only with their wits and extremely good looks, who knows where they’ll end up, what adventures they’ll find and if they’ll ever be reunited…
Giggles Galore from Rhubarb Theatre.
FREE EVENT
12.30 – 1pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Let Them Eat Cake
2024-07-07 12:30 - 13:00, 2024-07-07 14:00 - 14:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Our three Mary Antoinettes take to the street to feed the public their tasty treats!
These comedy pompous poodle-haired queens will cause a right royal ruckus wherever they go! Choose a cake from the tray to reveal a joke, funny foodie fact, truth or dare…if you resist temptation or refuse to entertain the queens they might just chop off your head!
FREE EVENT
12.30-1pm Little Bird Market
2-2.30pm Little Bird Market

The Story of Daniel
2024-07-07 13:00 - 13:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
The story of Daniel in around 20 minutes. All the best bits including dreams and of course the lions! Performed by Open the Book.
Open the Book say: “We are a group of Christians from a number of churches in Ripon who go into schools to act out Bible Stories. If you ask a Primary aged school child from Ripon they will know about us! We aim to make these stories accessible to young people and adults alike, with opportunities for audience participation! We’d love to hear from people who would like to get involved. Contact John 01765 690930 or office@holytrinityripon.org.uk ”
FREE EVENT
1 – 1.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Ripon Goes to Bollywood
2024-07-07 13:00 - 13:30 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Ripon goes to Bollywood is an inclusive dance group led by Sarita McDermott. The group started dancing together after the last lockdown and meet weekly. They perform at events and festivals in Ripon throughout the year.
This style of dancing is Indian Kathak dancing. It expresses emotions through story telling, and connects the body to the mind. Great for exercise and wellbeing. The group is very excited to perform in the festival.
FREE EVENT
1-1.30pm Little Bird Market

The Fireman Dave – Circus Skills Drop-In
2024-07-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Have a go with juggling, plate-spinning, diabolo, hula hooping and more. Practice your skills before the next show begins!
FREE EVENT
Drop in from 1-2.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Punch and Judy
2024-07-07 13:15 - 13:35, 2024-07-07 14:15 - 14:35 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Beautiful, hand-carved wooden puppets come to life in a fast-moving and funny show that has lots of good old-fashioned knock-about fun, with loads of audience participation.
Each show lasts 20 minutes
FREE EVENT
Ripon Spa Gardens
11:00 – 11:20
12:00 – 12:20
13:15 – 13:35
14:15 – 14:35

Struzzo and Maxim
2024-07-07 13:30 - 14:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Struzzo (Pete Baynes) and Maxim (Mike Bettison) have been performing feats of derring-do on the streets for many decades. In 2019 a video clip of a performance on the streets of Goole went mega-viral, much to everyone’s surprise!
There will be music and magic. Look out for the Ostrich!
FREE EVENT
10 – 10.30am Ripon Spa Gardens
11 – 11.30pm Little Bird Market
1.30 – 2pm Ripon Spa Gardens
2.30 – 3pm The Ripon INN

The Golden Tree
2024-07-07 14:00 - 14:30 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
A Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre Performing Arts Workshop production.
Join us for a whimsical journey with The Golden Tree brought to life by the talented performers of Knaresborough’s Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre. Catch the performance at 2pm and dive into the original fairy tale of Bernard the Fool, filled with kings, queens, heroes, and villains, ensuring fun and laughter for the whole family.
Don’t miss the post-show workshop at 3.30pm, where participants of all ages can explore the magic behind the scenes through engaging theatre games.
Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre Performing Arts Group collaboratively creates and produces original works.
They say: “This year, our focus has been a comedy fairy tale, developed through improvisation and scene work. Our participants, who often attend multiple drama sessions each week, have previously engaged in a wide range of projects, including pantomimes, adaptations of Shakespeare, and collaborations with groups like Moondust Theatre Company.
Laughter is central to our workshops, arising from the fun of improvisation and our collaborative approach. We also embed sign language into our performances, promoting inclusivity and allowing everyone to participate fully.
Our workshops at the Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre in Knaresborough are led by skilled theatre workshop leaders. They provide a secure, supportive environment where individuals with disabilities and special needs can engage with the performing arts. Using techniques from music, movement, and theatre, we empower our participants. Projects like “The Golden Tree” showcase our commitment to creativity, community involvement, and individual expression.
Participants in our workshops not only rehearse for “The Golden Tree” but also explore new artistic challenges, experiencing the thrill of creation and the rewards of collective effort. To discover more about our drama workshops and how to participate, visit our website at https://www.henshaws.org.uk/arts-crafts-centre/our-workshops/”
FREE EVENT
2 – 2.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens (performance)
3.30 – 4.15pm The Ripon INN Garden Marquee (workshop)

Struzzo and Maxim
2024-07-07 14:30 - 15:00 | The Ripon Inn, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2BU

The Three Suitcases
2024-07-07 14:30 - 15:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Three quirky characters that meet by chance at a train station. Where is the train? Will it arrive? As time tick-tocks onwards the three accidental companions become more and more playful, passing the time in adventurous and exciting ways – who knows what might happen next?
Full of mime, physical theatre, music and fun, this is a slapstick Rhubarb Theatre street-treat for all the family!
FREE EVENT
10.15 – 10.45am Little Bird Market
2.30 – 3pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Kit and Caboodle
2024-07-07 14:30 - 15:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
With miniature puppet shows inside a big, rolling mule puppet, the timeless theme of migration is packaged up in Thingumajig’s latest street act, KIT AND CABOODLE.
A pack mule with its beautiful burden of tales is joined by two well-travelled companions. Bags and cases open to reveal stories and songs of remarkable journeys from the staggering sojourn of a butterfly to people past and present who set out in search of a better life.
“It was such an emotional and beautiful piece it actually made me cry!” Charlotte, Shipley Street Arts Festival
FREE EVENT
11.30 – 12noon Ripon Spa Gardens
2.30 – 3pm Little Bird Market

The Not So Big Bad Wolf
2024-07-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
“Welcome back Listeners – Little Red Riding Hood here! Stay tuned as I go undercover to reveal the truth behind fairytales’ most infamous villain – The Big Bad Wolf”
Meet Little Red; adventurer, heroine and world-renowned “True Grimm” podcaster. She’s on a mission to debunk the myths around her so called nemesis, with the help of a few storybook favourites, her red cloak, and a basket full of music, mayhem and magic tricks! But the truth is no Fairytale… Behold as your favourite tales are re-spun and woven together in an epic new adventure from Wrongsemble.
https://video.wixstatic.com/video/fc2b2d_55be174c14ad4bf1ab27dec1e0e6ab90/720p/mp4/file.mp4
Age guide 4+
FREE EVENT
10.30 – 11.30am Ripon Spa Gardens
3 – 4pm Ripon Spa Gardens

Family Theatre Workshop with Henshaws
2024-07-07 15:30 - 16:15 | The Ripon Inn, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2BU
After you’ve enjoyed the whimsical world of The Golden Tree in the Spa Gardens (2.30pm) brought to life by the talented performers of Knaresborough’s Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre, join in 45 minutes of fun and accessible theatre games. The session is for all ages and abilities and will be co-led by three of Henshaws participants – Hannah, Kezzy and Ollie, alongside Douglas Thompson, theatre-maker and multidisciplinary artist.
Douglas Thompson says:
“Join us to explore the creative process behind the fairy tale as we play theatre games, mime, and body language techniques. In this workshop, participants will journey through colourful characters and storytelling. Experience the magic of mime with games like ‘Mime Slime,’ where you bring invisible objects to life. Discover the comedic chaos between characters with fun servant-master games. Whether you’re experienced or new to theatre, this workshop offers a chance to unleash your creativity and explore storytelling.”
About Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre:
Henshaws Arts and Crafts Centre supports people with a range of disabilities. Our centre is a place where artmakers can explore their talents, develop new skills, and connect with the community. Through workshops, performances, and events, we highlight the abilities of our participants and promote inclusivity in the arts.
This workshop is free ​but please book your places to avoid disappointment and so we know you are coming!
Workshop takes place in the Ripon Inn Garden Marquee to the rear of the hotel (access through Spa Gardens or via the hotel on Park Street)
Refreshments served for participants courtesy of The Ripon Inn
FREE EVENT
2 – 2.30pm Ripon Spa Gardens (performance)
3.30 – 4.15pm The Ripon Inn Garden Marquee (workshop)

Babies, Books & Biscotti
2025-07-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Little Ripon Bookshop, 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT, United Kingdom
Start your morning with a sociable coffee, then pop next door for a gentle sensory storytelling session with your baby. Meet other parents and share baby book ideas. Calm, connection, and creativity led by Stories with Liv.
Pop in to Valentino’s from 9am onwards, storytelling session starts in Little Ripon Bookshop (just next door) at 10.15am
Age guide 0-24 months
Ticket includes coffee (or other hot beverage) and an Italian biscuit at Valentino’s.
Wednesday 2nd July, 9am
Tickets: £7

Pirate Princess
2025-07-04 17:30 - 18:30 | Holy Trinity Church, Kirkby Road, Ripon, HG4 2EY, United Kingdom
** Timings for this event have changed – see below**
Pirate Princess is a heart warming story of hope against adversity told with physical theatre, clowning and circus. This brand new solo show by circus performer and professional idiot Gemma Bond tells the tale of poor shipwrecked Princess Poppy. Can she overcome a big dress, extreme weather and the ultimate test of strength to see her way to safety?
Inspired by strong and inventive women of history Poppy must transform physically and mentally if she is to have any hope of rescuing herself from eternity on an island in the ocean. The show encourages all to reuse, repurpose and recycle as Poppy reinvents her outfit and her mindset to overcome her predicament.
A visual feast of colourful costume and a unique crow’s nest on a pole prop, this is a fun filled show for children aged 5 to 11 and their families
** In a change to information published in our Festival Guide, this show lasts approximately 55 minutes. A tasty Pirate Party tea will now be served before the show from 4.45pm onwards courtesy of Holy Trinity Church. The performance will begin at 5.30pm**
Ticket Price: £8

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

Tooti Fruity
2025-07-05 10:00 - 10:30 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
Meet Tooti and Fruity – a ‘pear’ of fruit obsessed, eccentric players! After spending at least 40 years working in a fruit packing factory together they have embarked upon an adventure to bring toots and fruits to the masses!
Having been the supervisor of fruit squeezing at the factory, Tooti now utilises her skills in generating a fruit chorus, whilst Fruity – taste tester extraordinaire – entices the hoards to taste the goodness of her fruit platter.
Are you ready to cut the cheese with these berserk banana battling beauties?.
A flamboyant, all singing, all dancing street theatre extravaganza.
FREE EVENT – a walkabout act – catch them if you can!
10-10.30am Kirkgate
11.30am-12noon Cathedral Forecourt
1.15-1.45pm City Centre streets

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

Lula on the Loose
2025-07-05 10:30 - 11:00 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
Meet Lula Hoopa -our dynamic hula hoop circus act roaming the streets of Ripon.
FREE EVENT – this is a walkabout performance – catch her if you can!
10.30-11.00am Cathedral Forecourt
(12.45 – 1.15pm Market Place – static performance)
2-2.30pm Kirkgate

Scrumptious!
2025-07-05 10:30 - 11:10 | Ripon Library, The Arcade, Ripon, HG4 1AG, United Kingdom
All is well at Sylvie’s Scrumptious Sweet Shop, PC Lee can’t resist the fruit cake, Stanley the Horse loves peppermint creams, and the Talkative Twins only cause a crumb of chaos. That is until a stranger arrives, and their irresistible ice cream threatens to spoil everything.
A magical show about friendship and ice cream, with hilarious songs, dancing, storytelling and gentle audience participation — the perfect treat for families and anyone young at heart from Beggars Belief.
Running time approximately 40 mins
Age guide 4+
Tickets include a free tub of Riccardo’s Gelato courtesy of Valentino’s.
Ticket Price: £6

Cloudscapes
2025-07-05 10:30 - 12:00 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom
Visit the Cloud Museum Trailer and relax on a giant beanbag to enjoy the fabulous Cloudscapes, part-installation and part performance by Gobbledegook Theatre.
As you like back to watch the clouds, you’ll listen on headphones to a story all about the clouds, the sky and Lorna’s journey of a lifetime with her father. Take some festival chill-out time.
If you prefer to use your own headphones and device you can scan a QR code on site.
FREE EVENT – donations welcome
10.30am-12noon Cathedral Forecourt / greenspace
12.30pm-1.30pm Cathedral Forecourt / greenspace
2-3.30pm Cathedral Forecourt / greenspace

The Dame Judy & Mr Punchinello Show!
2025-07-05 11:00 - 11:30 | Minster Gardens, Minster Road,, Ripon, HG4 1QS, United Kingdom
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.
FREE EVENT
11-11.30am Minster Gardens
12.45-1.15pm Minster Gardens
3-3.30pm Minster Gardens

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 Knighty Knights
2025-07-05 11:30 - 12:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
The king has sent forth two brave and fearless knights on a quest to travel the land and bring joy and laughter to all his subjects. Of course, great deeds will need to be accomplished: dragons tamed, princes rescued, and tea and crumpets saved. Oh and don’t forget the grand tournament where the two knights joust it out for the glory.
FREE EVENT – just turn up!
11.30am-12noon Kirkgate
1-1.30pm Cathedral Forecourt
3-3.30pm Kirkgate

Tooti Fruity
2025-07-05 11:30 - 12:00 | Cathedral Forecourt, Minster Road, Ripon, HG4 1QT, United Kingdom

Victoria Sponge & Flour Power
2025-07-05 11:30 - 12:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Stilt walking Cake and Baker, presented by Chicks on Sticks
Come and meet a living, breathing dessert on a mission to spread sweetness!
Towering over the crowd stands Victoria Sponge, a giant stilt cake, sugar-spun and brilliantly decorated with mouthwatering sweets, cherries and lollipops.
Beside the cake stands Flour Power, the baker, who created this confection, beaming with pride. They invite festival goers to join in the fun. Don’t miss your chance to snap a photo with the sweetest duo in town!

FREE EVENT – a walkabout act – catch them if you can!
11.30am-12noon Market Place
2-2.30pm Cathedral Forecourt
3.30-4pm Kirkgate
