Ripon Theatre Festival

Red
2026-07-08 19:30 - 21:10 UTC | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
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.
From the golden era of Hollywood to the bright lights of Vegas. Embodying legendary artists such as Rita Hayworth, Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters, Shirley MacLaine, Gwen Verdon and many more.
Amber has worked her unique magic across the globe, delivering a triple treat of song, dance, and comedy. As a teenager, she left her Yorkshire roots behind to move to London and enter the world of cabaret and burlesque. Whether frivolous or thought-provoking, Amber is always, unmistakably, fabulous.
“Amber Topaz is an explosion of charisma and stage presence unmatched between music and song, comedy and seduction.” GQ
“Cabaret Icon” The List
Age Guide 10+
Tickets £15
*Evening multi-buy deal available*

Dancing with Colours
2026-07-09 17:00 - 18:00 | Harrogate Road Methodist Hall, Harewood Road, Ripon, HG4 1TG, United Kingdom
Co-created with learning-disabled people and their families in Bradford, Dancing with Colours is a participatory performance that blends movement, music, and most importantly, colour! The audience are just as important as the performers; challenging ideas of who gets to make art and how. Expect a joyful, sensory, (and very messy!), colourful experience as artist JoAnne Harris invites you to dance with pastels and paint, bringing the space to life.
Whether you prefer to watch or jump right in, JoAnne hopes you’ll leave feeling inspired to find moments of creativity in your own lives. This performance is relaxed and lets audiences engage in whatever way is comfortable for them. The age range is 4+ but all are welcome.
The performance is messy and although we try to facilitate as best we can, some of the materials used can stain clothes. As such, please wear clothes that you don’t mind getting stained.
Lead Artist and Performer – JoAnne Haines
Director – Rachel Dean
Musician/Improviser – Zoe Katsilerou
Producer – Mind the Gap
Mind the Gap is an internationally recognised theatre company and arts organisation based in Bradford. Founded in 1988, the company is dedicated to creating bold, innovative theatre while championing the voices and talents of learning disabled and neurodivergent artists.
Refreshments served from 4.30pm.
Age Guide 4+
Tickets £6

Ripon Ghost Walk
2026-07-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Ripon Marketplace, Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
Explore our hauntingly beautiful city after dark and delve into its eerie past. Wander the ancient streets and places of Ripon with our expert and knowledgeable guides. Expect tales and history of characters long gone but thought to have left something behind. Discover frightening events in the most unlikely places.
All timed to enable you to see and hear the Ripon Hornblower at 9pm in the Market Square.
Proceeds from this walk generously donated to Ripon Theatre Festival.
Ticket Price: £6 (£4)

Pub Tales at The Ripon Inn
2026-07-09 20:00 - 21:30 | The Ripon Inn, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2BU
Join comedy musician Chris Sainton-Clark as he takes you through his troublesome and hilarious experiences of working in British pubs. Hear stories of compulsive liars, disruptive youths, clinical over-sharers, fruit machine addicts and much more. Each of these songs has a satirical outlook on British pub culture that will leave you thinking, ‘I know that person’ or maybe… ‘I am that person’.
Armed with just a guitar, a whole lot of sarcasm, swearing and many musical stories, Pub Tales is sure to keep you entertained.
Chris is a multi award-winning actor and musician. In the couple of years since Chris started writing these songs, he has sold out his first comedy club performance as well as completely selling out his New Zealand tour.
Age Guide 14+
Tickets £12

Batty!
2026-07-09 20:00 - 21:35 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
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 a side order of ranting), as they explore the magic and power of ageing.
This new production from Victoria Firth & Company explores the wildness – as opposed to madness – of women, and how our feral side can reconnect us to ourselves and our environment.
The show will be followed by an audience Q&A with the company.
Victoria Firth & Company is a contemporary dance theatre company led by choreographer and director Victoria Firth. Based in the UK, the company creates visually striking and emotionally resonant performance work that blends contemporary dance, physical theatre, and storytelling.
“Sincere, frequently funny and a reminder that there is much more to mid-life than hot flushes.” The Scotsman
Sponsored by Dr Frances Cole & Dr Judith Hooper
Age Guide 14+
Tickets £15
*Evening multi-buy deal available*

Writing a 10 Minute Drama
2026-07-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Ripon Library, The Arcade, Ripon, HG4 1AG, United Kingdom
A practical, confidence-building workshop designed for people who are new to writing for the stage. The session guides participants through the fundamentals of writing a 10-minute stage play, the standard format for festivals such as Short + Sweet Festival.
Participants will be supported to develop an idea, understand the constraints of a 10-minute structure, and begin writing a piece that could be developed further for submission to short play festival or anywhere else.
The workshop focuses on clarity, simplicity, and momentum, helping new writers realise that theatre writing is both accessible and achievable.
By the end of the workshop, participants will:

Understand how a 10-minute stage play works
Understand the stagecraft and technical constraints of short form
Learn the core elements needed for short-form theatre
Develop an idea that fits festival requirements
Draft a 10-minute stage piece
Gain confidence to continue developing the work

Who the workshop is for:

People curious about theatre writing but unsure where to start
Writers from other forms exploring stage work
Anyone interested in submitting to short play festivals

No prior writing or theatre experience is required – total beginners welcome.
Fiona Georgiou Hunt is a scriptwriter, director and story mentor who works across theatre and film, helping writers shape stories for the stage and screen. With a background in both performance and script development, she has collaborated with theatres, production companies and screen organisations across the UK, supporting projects from early idea through to production.
Tickets £10

Stitch in Time
2026-07-10 14:30 - 15:30 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
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 knit for the soldiers. Popular music often reflected the trends of the time, and mere days after the first bullet was fired, dozens of knitting-themed songs started to appear. These songs ranged from heartfelt, sentimental ballads, to brisk marches, to novelty tunes that offered a humorous, tongue-in-cheek look at the wartime knitting craze).
After the wars these songs were essentially lost, and this concert is the first time that many of them have been performed in 100 years. Some of the songs were very close to disappearing forever, and with Stitch in Time, this music — a clever, sweet and entertaining footnote in history — has been preserved, and given a chance to live again.
Presented by Canadian soprano Melanie Gall, a writer, theatre historian, and internationally-acclaimed vocalist, whose solo performance career has spanned from Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York to Royal Albert Hall in London.
Refreshments served after the show – donations to Ripon Community Poppy Project
Age Guide 10+
Tickets £12
*Matinee multi-buy deal available*

Little Listeners: Mini Magic Flute
2026-07-10 17:00 - 17:45 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
The perfect opportunity for all the family to experience and share the charm of opera as a relaxed and welcoming tea-time treat.
Come with us on a fun, enchanting musical adventure inspired by Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute. Led by a trio of opera singers and an accordionist, Mini Magic Flute follows a Prince’s search for a Princess, but nothing is quite as it first appears… Join a host of fantastical characters – from a bird-catcher to a dragon! – on this magical adventure.
Enchanting for all ages but especially designed for those aged 4–7, with young people invited to a craft activity beforehand to create something to compliment the performance.
Opera North is a national opera company based in Leeds, and leading UK arts organisation. Rooted in the North of England, international in outlook, they create extraordinary experiences, every day. Opera North believes opera and music is for everyone, and champions diversity in artists, repertoire and audiences. They aim to create extraordinary experiences through participative arts and family performances.
Refreshments served from 4pm with opportunity for young people to get ‘crafty’ – donations to Ripon Community Poppy Project
Age Guide 4-7
Tickets £12

One Man Poe
2026-07-10 20:00 - 22:15 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
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 brings to life four timeless tales live on stage:
The Tell-Tale Heart is an insight into the mind of a madman, convincing us he is sane.
The Pit and the Pendulum follows a prisoner of the dreaded Spanish Inquisition, undergoing various mental and physical tortures.
The Black Cat documents an alcoholic confessing his heinous crimes on the eve of his death.
The Raven is the poem that made Poe famous – a mysterious midnight visit from an ominous talking raven.
Winner of The Derek Award for ‘Best Overall Show’ at Edinburgh Fringe 2025, One Man Poe is produced by four-time OFFIE Award-winning theatre company Threedumb Theatre, bringing Poe’s work to life as never before.
Praise for this production:
“Captivating… I could not have been more wowed by this ‘marathon of the macabre’” ★★★★★ The National Scot
“Powerfully moving… This show quite literally took my breath away… Unmissable!” ★★★★★ Everything Theatre
“A compelling and repelling experience” ★★★★★ MyTheatreMates
“Edgar Allan Poe himself would love this powerful performance” ★★★★★ The Derek Awards
“Awe-inspiring… An incredibly gripping and enthralling evening” ★★★★★ North West End
“The definitive Fringe interpretation of these already much-loved works” ★★★★★ The Wee Review
“A captivating night of terror, guilt, grief and murder most foul… A must-see” ★★★★★ Broadway Baby
Age Guide 12+
Tickets £15
*Evening multi-buy deal available*

Singing with Flo - Morning Chorus for Early Birds
2026-07-11 09:30 - 10:30 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
Start your day the feelgood way with a jolly good sing! Led by dynamic Rock Choir conductor, Florence Glen.
Rock Choir is the nation’s most popular, local and award-winning contemporary choir experience.
Florence Glen is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and teacher.
In 2015 Florence completed a Masters degree in Music Production at Leeds Beckett University and went on to record her first studio EP after winning the ‘Soundtrack your Roadtrip’ songwriting competition. Florence has since produced and recorded her own studio album which has been played on BBC Radio 6 Music.
In 2021 Florence founded Beats by Girlz UK CIC to teach women and other under-represented groups music production and digital skills.
Florence now fills her time writing and performing music, teaching music at a special school, leading Rock Choirs and playing drums and singing in a latin jazz band!
No previous experience necessary.
Participants must be aged 8+ & under 16s accompanied by an adult.
All Participation Zone events are Pay What You Can Events (PWYC). You can just turn up, but places are limited so advance booking is recommended. You are encouraged to choose a small amount to pay on booking your place then consider donating to the Festival at the end of the session. Thank you!

Big Family Weekend: Saturday
2026-07-11 10:00 - 20:00 | Ripon City Centre (Various locations), Market Place, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
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.

Do What Ya Mamma Told Ya!
Comedy circus and cooking from mother and daughter duo. A joyous journey of plate spinning, food juggling and fire blazing! Will clumsy assistant, Tiny T finally get to taste the food? A feast of food fusion across geography and generations. Presented by Just More Productions.

Out of the Blue
All the way from Turin! Wash away your troubles with the wonderfully subversive and interactive circus show by leading Italian female clown Fra Martó all about doing the laundry. Immerse yourself in laughter and bubbles. Never has trying to keep the house clean been so much fun. Presented by Fra Marto.

The Lost Bus to Ripon
An interactive audio show for kids, their grown ups and grown ups who still think they’re kids. Hop on board, pop on some headphones and enjoy the adventure! Gary the driver is always getting lost – where on Earth will we end up next? Don’t worry – Mike the Conductor is there to help.
Performed inside a stationary vintage bus generously supplied by The Last Stop, Bedale. Presented by Ragged Edge Productions.

Ye Birdz

A magical walkabout act featuring stunning stilt costumes, live percussion and a soundtrack by BORG. Two beautiful birds have travelled far from a time long, long ago. In search of song and dance and drums and a meadow where yellow flowers grow. On their way a drummer they found who vowed to tag along and entertain the people they meet with drums and dance and song! Presented by Chicks on Sticks.

Copyright of Mike Jarman Photography
Around the World with Phileas Fogg: Day 79
Join Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the world in just 80 days. The year is 1872 and it’s day 79 of the journey. Our intrepid adventurers are just hours away from crossing the finish line, if they can just coerce their hot air balloons to go in the right direction they stand to win a grand prize.
Presented by Dizzy O’Dare.

The Museum of Memorable Trees
Let the curator guide you around this miniature exhibition on wheels. Discover amazing stories of great trees that have woven themselves into people’s lives and memories. Listen to evocative tales and calming soundscapes as you explore behind every door. There’s plenty of space left, have you got a fantastic tree you can add to the museum?
Presented by Harry Pizzey.

Tony and Ray Find Their Feet
Friendship, rivalry, work tools, tomfoolery and dance as a pair of workers become distracted from their tasks. Mixing slapstick, eccentric dance, silent clowning and squeak wrangling, the show reimagines vaudeville and silent film traditions for audiences today.
Unexpected, uplifting and undeniably funny.
Presented by Rudkin and Hicks

Count Ocular
A captivating, gothic vaudeville piece for the whole family like no other, featuring table-top puppetry, close-up magic and enchanting original music to transport audiences back to the bizarre delights of vaudeville and variety. Join the loveable enigma that is Count Ocular as he defies the laws of physics through laughter, skill and mystery.
Presented by Tatwood Puppets.

Frankie Magilligan
With his incredible smile and impeccable fashion sense, Frankie will leave you in stitches with his hilarious antics and incredible juggling skills. And if that wasn’t enough, he’ll be performing on the tallest unicycle in Ireland. The perfect combination of skill, humour, and style – Frankie will have you on the edge of your seat.
Presented by Tall Paul.

Hodman and Sally
Enchanting and heart-warming puppetry walkabout. Hodman and Sally have lived happily by themselves for hundreds of years, blissfully unaware of the changing world around them. Now they have ventured out in search of fame, fortune and friendship, enjoying a second youth touring the world with their possessions strapped to their backs.
Presented by The Flying Buttresses.

Kirkgate Street Party
The festival fun goes on with local musicians performing 4-8pm. Enjoy a meal nearby or an al fresco drink before taking in another show. Presented in partnership with Ripon Open Mic Night.
Sponsored by The Portly Pig.

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

400 Roses
All for One Choir
Calle Oche
Grace Hughes
Hampsthwaite Primary School
HG33 band
Janice Hopkinson
Lily Worth
Ripon Dance Academy
Ripon Youth Theatre
Skellsiders
Slubbing Billy’s Morris
Somewhere Road
St Aelred’s Irish Dance
The Music Bank, Knaresborough
The Workhouse Walkabouts
Yorkshire CREATE
Yorkshire Voices

Astro Norma and the Cosmic Piano
2026-07-11 10:30 - 11:15, 2026-07-11 12:00 - 12:45 | Ripon Library, The Arcade, Ripon, HG4 1AG, United Kingdom
A musical comedy that’s out of this world!
Blast off with ASTRO NORMA on a madcap, musical quest to find Grandpa’s lost star. But beware! The sneaky Silencer is hot on her trail, ready to silence the tunes! Packed with awesome aliens, rib-tickling robots, and interplanetary puppets, this joyful space odyssey will have kids reaching for the stars…
Astro Norma is the brand-new show from BBC Popcorn New Writing Award nominated FLADAM (Flo Poskitt and Adam Sowter) best known for their hit shows GREEN FINGERS and HALLOWBEAN. Following a successful UK tour and a joyous run at Glastonbury Festival, the duo can’t wait to touch down in Ripon this summer!
“…the most amazing, hilarious musical comedy duo” BBC Radio
“Imagination, catchy songs and big personality” The Scotsman
Performances at 10.30am & 12 noon, running time approximately 45 mins
Age Guide 3-10
Tickets £6

Stories with Liv
2026-07-11 10:45 - 11:30 | The Unicorn Hotel, 2 Market Place East, Ripon, HG41BP, United Kingdom
The story of The Mischievous Monkey in the comfortable and relaxed surroundings of the front room of The Unicorn (Wetherspoons’).
Olivia Corbin-Phillip is a popular professional storyteller from Leeds. She leads regular sessions at Leeds Playhouse and across the region.
Age guide 3-7
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.
Liv will also be popping up in the back room of The Little Ripon Bookshop with Jack and the Flumflum Tree 12.45-1.30pm.

Poetry at the Pig
2026-07-11 11:00 - 11:45 | The Portly Pig, 5b Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PA, United Kingdom
Join local poets in a relaxed sharing session upstairs at The Pig. Pop in for poems and pints.
“Cross the market square in Ripon to find a poet. Perhaps, the barista serving coffee or the care worker returning from a late shift. Poetry sounds in the footsteps. If poetry is life, life lived, then here is life lived in Ripon, in the words of our poets.” Caroline Matusiak.
Age guide 14+
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.
The Ripon Poets will also be popping up in the following places on Saturday:
Poetry for Breakfast – 9.30-10.15am in the front room at The Unicorn Hotel (Wetherspoons)
Pop-Up Poetry – 2-3pm in the back room of The Little Ripon Bookshop.

Puppetry for Beginners
2026-07-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
Meet some puppets and learn some basic techniques with Mark Edwards from Puppet Power North. Create a simple puppet and learn how to make it move.
Mark Edwards has honed his puppetry skills over the last decade working with amateur societies, schools and youth groups. Mark frequently directs productions for RAOS Musical Theatre Company, including their recent 9 to 5 at Harrogate Theatre and Avenue Q at Ripon Arts Hub in 2023 when his puppetry skills came to the fore. He is directing No Strings Attached- a Puppet Cabaret specially for Ripon Theatre Festival on Sunday 12 July.
No previous experience necessary.
Participants must be aged 8+ & under 16s accompanied by an adult.
All Participation Zone events are Pay What You Can Events (PWYC). You can just turn up, but places are limited so advance booking is recommended. You are encouraged to choose a small amount to pay on booking your place then consider donating to the Festival at the end of the session. Thank you!

Short + Sweet Pop-Ups
2026-07-11 12:15 - 13:00 | The Portly Pig, 5b Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PA, United Kingdom
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 the new wave of creative voices bringing their passion and talent to Ripon Festival, 10 minutes at a time!
Age guide 14+
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.

Stage Combat for the Fearless
2026-07-11 12:30 - 13:30 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
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 all. They deliver inclusive arts opportunities that support wellbeing, build confidence, and empower people of all ages and backgrounds to express themselves through creative activity.
No previous experience necessary.
Participants must be aged 12+ & under 16s accompanied by an adult.
All Participation Zone events are Pay What You Can Events (PWYC). You can just turn up, but places are limited so advance booking is recommended. You are encouraged to choose a small amount to pay on booking your place then consider donating to the Festival at the end of the session. Thank you!

Stories with Liv
2026-07-11 12:45 - 13:30 | Little Ripon Bookshop, 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT, United Kingdom
The story of Jack and the Flumflum Tree (Julia Donaldson) in the backroom of our favourite bookshop.
Olivia Corbin-Phillip is a popular professional storyteller from Leeds. She leads regular sessions at Leeds Playhouse and across the region.
Age guide 3-7
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.
Liv will also be popping up in the front room of The Unicorn (Wetherspoons’) with The Mischievous Monkey 10.45-11.30am.

Costa Cabaret Corner
2026-07-11 13:30 - 14:30 | Costa Coffee, 4 Fishergate, Ripon, HG4 1DY, United Kingdom
Take the weight off your festival feet. Enjoy favourite show tunes or discover a new musical to fall in love with.
Presented by talented performers from local groups.
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.

Pop-Up Poetry
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Little Ripon Bookshop, 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT, United Kingdom
Join local poets in a relaxed sharing session in the back room of our favourite Bookshop.
“Cross the market square in Ripon to find a poet. Perhaps, the barista serving coffee or the care worker returning from a late shift. Poetry sounds in the footsteps. If poetry is life, life lived, then here is life lived in Ripon, in the words of our poets.” Caroline Matusiak.
Age guide 14+
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.
The Ripon Poets will also be popping up in the following places on Saturday:
Poetry for Breakfast – 9.30-10.15am in the front room at The Unicorn Hotel (Wetherspoons)
Poetry at the Pig – 11-11.45am in the Portly Pig. An informal drop-in performance. Come for a poem and a pint.

Irish Dance for First Timers
2026-07-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Allhallowgate Methodist Church & Halls, Victoria Grove, Ripon, HG4 1LG, United Kingdom
Come and join St Aelred’s Irish Dancers for a fun, relaxed céilí! This isn’t a structured class; it is all about getting involved and having a go.
Our dancers will be right there in the mix to guide you through the moves, making it easy to pick up the rhythm as you go.
Whether you are a complete beginner or just want to join in the fun, it is a great way for anyone aged 8 and up to experience the energy of Irish dance. No experience is needed. Just bring your trainers and plenty of enthusiasm!
Led by popular teacher Una O’Connor (pictured), St Aelred’s Irish Dancers train in Harrogate and regularly perform to thousands each year on St Patrick’s day in Leeds and York.
No previous experience necessary.
Participants must be aged 8+ & under 16s accompanied by an adult.
All Participation Zone events are Pay What You Can Events (PWYC). You can just turn up, but places are limited so advance booking is recommended. You are encouraged to choose a small amount to pay on booking your place then consider donating to the Festival at the end of the session. Thank you!

Short + Sweet Pop-Ups
2026-07-11 15:30 - 16:30 | Little Ripon Bookshop, 12-13 Westgate, Ripon, HG4 2AT, United Kingdom
Short + Sweet Yorkshire is an annual festival of 10 minute new writing with participants showcased here at Ripon Theatre Festival. Enjoy a handful 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 the new wave of creative voices bringing their passion and talent to Ripon Festival, 10 minutes at a time!
Age guide 14+
A FREE event – donations encouraged at the door.

Kirkgate Street Party
2026-07-11 16:00 - 20:00 | Kirkgate, Kirkgate, Ripon, HG4 1PB, United Kingdom
The fun continues on Kirkgate with local musicians from 4-8pm. Enjoy a meal in one of the restaurants, or have an al fresco drink before taking in another show.
Presented in partnership with Ripon Music Open Mic Night.
FREE EVENT – just turn up!

The Three Musketeers
2026-07-11 17:30 - 19:45 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
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 Athos, Porthos and Aramis as an elite Musketeer of the King’s Guard. To prove himself he plunges headlong into a thrilling adventure to retrieve the Queen’s jewels, race the clock to restore Her Majesty’s honour, survive the machinations of scheming Cardinal Richelieu, and cross swords with the deadly Milady de Winter. Set against a sweeping panorama of 17th century France at war, it’s a whirlwind of excitement, comedy and ingenious storytelling. Romance! Intrigue! Murder! Betrayal! Revenge…! It’s got the lot!
With a reputation for staging some of the finest swordplay in the business Illyria’s The Three Musketeers promises to be more dazzling than ever!
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, adapted by Oliver Gray
Age Guide 8+ (younger children also welcome)
Play contains scenes of peril, politics and passion! Younger children welcome, if they’re brave enough…
Please bring fold up garden chairs, camping chairs or blankets. People on blankets will be advised to sit in the first 5 metres in front of the stage.
You are welcome to bring a picnic to the event. Refreshments will also be available from The Cafe in the Park and from Lottie’s Van.
Dogs are NOT allowed at the performance.
Performance continues regardless of weather, please come dressed for the weather, but no umbrellas please.
Performance begins at 5.30pm, gates open at 4.45pm.
Sponsored by Elstob Auctioneers
Tickets £11-18

Down to Chance
2026-07-11 20:00 - 21:10 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
One woman, a radio, and the largest earthquake in US History.
Anchorage, Alaska. 1964. A part-time radio reporter, her teenage intern, a general on leave, and a local hobbyist find themselves at the centre of a remarkable relief effort. Genie Chance, live on air, must take unimaginable risks to save her community and family from chaos.
Based on the incredible true story of the Great Alaskan Earthquake, Down to Chance is a heart-warming portrait of a community in crisis with the whole world listening in.

Straight from selling out the Edinburgh Fringe, this 5-star, ‘deftly staged thriller’ (The Stage) lands in Ripon this Summer.
Maybe You Like It’s madcap new show promises frenetic action, frantic multi-roling, and immersive live sound in this ‘love letter to the golden age of radio’ (The Scotsman).
Down to Chance was developed with support from Theatre Royal Plymouth and The Pleasance for The Edinburgh National Partnerships Programme.
“Simply the best show I’ve seen this year.” UK Theatre Web
“Deftly staged thriller” (The Stage)
Age Guide 12+
Tickets £15
*Evening multi-buy deal available*

Big Family Weekend: Sunday
2026-07-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Ripon Spa Gardens, Park Street, Ripon, HG4 2AX, United Kingdom
Fun for all the family across Ripon Spa Gardens and at the Little Bird Artisan Market on the Market Place.
Open-air theatre, walkabout acts, Punch and Judy and joining-in fun, plus music, stories and dance from community groups. Bring a picnic to the park and stay all day or browse the market whilst being entertained.
Join us for a full day of fun, starting at 10am
All events are FREE.

The Crow House
A derelict house appears in the middle of the street. The windows are shattered and a Keep Out sign bars the front door. Three captivating and multiskilled performers use aerial, acrobatics, live music and slap-stick comedy to battle the furious crow who has taken up residency. Who will win? Presented by Circo Rumbaba.

The Soapsud Sisters
‘Here come the girls!’ Pair up your socks, dig out your delicates, separate your silks, it’s laundry time! Join our bubbly beauties as they take you for a spin through a washing cycle like no other.
Presented by Rhubarb Theatre Company

Kismat Walla
Thingumajig Theatre, who have performed A la Puppet Carte and Kit and Caboodle at previous Ripon Theatre Festivals, return with their new street theatre puppet show. Kismat Walla captures the bustling atmosphere of South Asian market streets in this two-person play set on and around a magical rairi (cart) telling a puppet plays about fate, fortune and serendipity.

Punch and Judy
Traditional show with beautiful hand-carved wooden puppets. Fast-moving and funny. Old-fashioned entertainment for everyone.
Presented by Ron Wood from Jolly Good Productions.

Rubbish Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet
Enemies. Balconies. Kissing… SAUSAGE ROLLS!!?? Three hapless idiots perform Shakespeare’s famous tragedy using nothing but tatty wigs and a burst airbed they found by the bins. Clowning, slapstick, and mischievous storytelling. This isn’t boring Shakespeare – it’s bonkers!

Frankie Magilligan
With his incredible smile and impeccable fashion sense, Frankie will leave you in stitches with his hilarious antics and incredible juggling skills. And if that wasn’t enough, he’ll be performing on the tallest unicycle in Ireland. The perfect combination of skill, humour, and style – Frankie will have you on the edge of your seat. Presented by Tall Paul.

Participation Zone
Dive into a vibrant day of theatre-inspired creativity, including mask-making, myths and more. Across four artist-led sessions (10–11am, 11:30am–12:30pm, 1–2pm and 2:30–3:30pm) plus two self-guided drop-in activities running 10am–4pm, families can explore hands-on crafts inside or alongside our dedicated tent space. Presented in partnership with Yorkshire CREATE.

Little Bird Artisan Market
More than just shopping. It’s a vibrant showcase of quality goods crafted by independent producers and artisans. And on Festival Sunday it’s extra special, with a performance area scheduled with acts from 10am-3pm. Have a break from browsing the stalls -pull up a deck chair and enjoy the entertainment.

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

Cricket on the Hearth
Open the Book
Orb Community Arts
Medusa Gothic Morris
Ripon Dance Academy
Ripon Goes to Bollywood
Ripon Trinity Singers
Ripon Walled Garden
Slubbing Billy’s Morris
St Aelred’s Irish Dance

The Poetical Life of Philomena McGuiness
2026-07-12 14:30 - 16:00 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
How will history remember you? As the person you are, or as the person you want to be?
A funny and poignant story of an Irish nurse and poet, based on the true stories from World War II.

It’s 1939 and Philomena McGuinness, an Irish nurse and poet, has been newly recruited for the British war effort. But can one live a life true to the poetry inside them when they are constantly being defined by their role in the war?
Moon Rabbit is an innovative, two-person theatre company specialising in historical one-woman plays. Based in Edinburgh, they have performed their historical one-person shows all across the UK, and onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Queen Anne. The company was founded by Joshua King (playwright and fiction writer) and performer and voice actor, Jasmin Gleeson. Joshua is also co-founder of and writer for theatre company Say It Again, Sorry?
“If you leave this play feeling anything other than touched and inspired, then you are probably not breathing.” Broadway Baby
Sponsored by Specsavers Ripon
Age Guide 12+
Tickets £12
*Matinee multi-buy deal available*

No Strings Attached - A Puppet Cabaret
2026-07-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Ripon Arts Hub, 49 Allhallowgate, Ripon, HG4 1LQ, United Kingdom
An evening of song and sketches and some surprises, all performed by talented puppets with help from local community performers and Puppet Power North.

Join the Festival Team, friends and volunteers for a fun finish to Festival week.

Puppet Power North (PPN) is led by Mark Edwards who has honed his puppetry skills over the last decade working with amateur societies, schools and youth groups. Mark has been in education for over 35 years and has used puppets throughout his time as an educator. After being inspired through a Noda summer school course he has for the last 10 years developed puppet workshops for young people and adults. For the last 20 years he has directed musicals for a number of local amateur operatic societies. 2024 saw him direct a production of Avenue Q.

Age Guide 10+

Tickets £10

Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet
2026-07-24 19:00 - 21:30 | Ripon Races
Two hearts. One fate. A timeless love reborn.The Duke’s Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, a bold reimagining of the iconic tragedy directed by Joseph Pitcher. Pitcher’s acclaimed credits include Gypsy (UK Theatre Award for Best Musical Production) and My Fair Lady at The Mill at Sonning, and Macbeth at the Salomons Theatre, Tunbridge Wells. Returning to the company following Macbeth (2025), this vibrant production also features original music by composer Rob Millett (Rambert Dance Company and The Royal Opera House, The National Theatre and Shakespeare’s Globe).

Running time: 120-minutes (approximately), including a 15-minute interval.Suitable for: Ages 7+

Please bring fold up garden chairs, camping chairs or blankets. People on blankets will be advised to sit in the first 5 metres in front of the stage. The production is supported by a PA system, with each actor individually amplified.

You are encouraged to bring a picnic to the event. Hot and cold drinks will also be available to purchase.

Dogs are NOT allowed at the performance.

Performance continues regardless of weather.

Friday 24 July, 7pm

Gates open 6.15pm

Touring venues in North Yorkshire – performances also at Harrogate (Thurs 23rd) and Scarborough (Sat 25th). See Dukes Theatre Company website for details.

Ticket price (including booking fee) £13.82-£18.43
