Actor and author to appear in Ripon for an intimate evening of conversation.
Acclaimed actor Hugh Bonneville is coming to Ripon for a very special fundraising evening in support of Ripon Theatre Festival.
The Downton Abbey and Paddington star will appear at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday 21 November at 7pm, for an evening exploring his celebrated career on screen, his life in theatre, and passion for acting.
All profits from the event will go directly to RTF, helping us continue bringing high-quality, affordable and accessible theatre and live performance to people across the city.
Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain’s most recognisable actors, known internationally for playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey, as well as Mr Brown in the hugely successful Paddington films. His career spans theatre, television and film, and he is a longstanding supporter of organisations encouraging access to theatre and the arts.
Hugh will be interviewed on stage by former BBC Radio York presenter Anna Wallace, in what promises to be a warm and entertaining conversation spanning his career.
Ripon shares a special connection with the world of Downton Abbey. As the nearest cathedral city to the fictional Yorkshire estate, it has long been associated with the story’s Yorkshire setting, while scenes for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale were filmed at Ripon Racecourse.
The show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, spent a significant part of his youth in North Yorkshire while attending Ampleforth College. His teenage years near Ripon, alongside neighbouring market towns like Thirsk and Malton, left him with a lifelong affection for the area. Fellowes initially considered shooting the series around the Ripon area before choosing Highclere Castle in Hampshire.
Newby Hall in Ripon was the seat for the real Lord Grantham, an amateur architect who designed the cell block that now houses the Ripon Prison and Police Museum. The third Baron Grantham, later Earl de Grey, was uncle of the Marquess of Ripon.
Bonneville will also talk about another role – bestselling children’s author.
The evening will also include a signing of Hugh’s new children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, hosted by The Little Ripon Bookshop, offering audiences the chance to pick up a signed copy in time for Christmas.
Published by Bloomsbury in October, the book is the second instalment in Hugh’s Rory Sparkes series and follows the young storyteller as he becomes caught up in a mystery involving secret messages, spies and a rather suspicious amount of tea.
Illustrated by Loretta Schauer, the book combines mystery, mischief and humour and is aimed at readers aged seven to eleven.
Hugh Bonneville said: “Theatre and live performance have played such an important part in my life and career, so I’m delighted to be supporting Ripon Theatre Festival and the work it does to bring the arts to audiences across the city.
Festivals like this can make a real difference, not only by creating opportunities for artists but by taking performance out into the community and making sure as many people as possible can experience it. I’m very much looking forward to coming to Ripon, talking about my life in theatre and beyond, and meeting audiences there.”
Early booking is strongly recommended for what is likely to be an extremely popular event.
AN EVENING WITH HUGH BONNEVILLE
Saturday 21 November 2026 | 7pm
Holy Trinity Church, Ripon. £23 +booking fee.
This event is produced for Ripon Theatre Festival by Cause & Effect PR and kindly sponsored by Hethertons Solicitors.
Event sponsor Hethertons Solicitors is one of North Yorkshire’s leading law firms, providing trusted legal advice to individuals, families and businesses for more than 75 years. Hethertons is proud to play an active role in the communities it serves, supporting grassroots sport, local charities and cultural events.