Two Leeds theatre companies team up to create joyful festive shows
In this season to be jolly, two Yorkshire theatre companies have teamed up to bring local audiences some festive joy. Red Ladder and Wrongsemble – both based in Leeds – are currently touring two Christmas shows, in the region and further afield.
A Proper Merry Christmess, Red Ladder’s brand-new comedy, and Wrongsemble’s family show A Town Called Christmas have been delighting audiences, with both productions receiving extremely positive feedback so far. “People seem to have loved both shows,” says Cheryl Martin, artistic director of Red Ladder. “The kids have had a great time and grown-ups have been laughing like drains from start to finish. What people have been saying is that the stories are warm, funny and full of heart.”
A Proper Merry Christmess, written by debut playwright Seeta Wrightson and Leon Fleming and directed by Martin, is set in a Yorkshire garden centre on Christmas Eve with the various departments competing to take home the seasonal bonus. It means they have to be very creative, but also that they might have to resort to dirty tricks. “It is very silly and chaotic, but there is also a serious message in there that some people really need that money and are struggling at this time of year,” says Martin. “So, it is fun, but it is also very touching.”
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The play evolved from workshops with local communities involving St George’s Crypt, an award-winning charity that supports homeless people in Leeds, and BITMO (Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation), one of the venues on Red Ladder’s touring circuit. “Seeta and Leon ran writing workshops in both places and gathered stories which got the play started," says Martin. "They are both really great comedy writers and the show is very funny but it also doesn’t avoid the fact that life can be difficult at times.”
The creative sector itself has had to face tough challenges over recent years with cuts to funding affecting arts organisations across the board. Collaborations and co-productions have provided a way forward for many theatres and theatre companies. “It is wonderful for us to be able to collaborate like this with Wrongsemble,” says Martin. “We can help each other, combining our knowledge and with the same cast appearing in both productions it is a great way of pooling our resources.”
Elvi Piper, artistic director of Wrongsemble, agrees. “We have worked with Red Ladder before on a variety of collaborative projects over the years and toured to some of their venues. We knew from those experiences that it was an easy, productive relationship, so it felt like a really natural fit,” she says. “I do think that artists are creative and responsive; both our organisations are able to be nimble because we are small teams and we very much understand who we are trying to reach. This partnership is all about bringing stories, laughter and music directly into communities when people need them most.”
A Town Called Christmas, written and directed by Piper, is aimed at young children and tells the story of Clementine who dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency and everyone is cheerful. It used to be the happiest place on Earth but something changed. Undeterred, Clementine, aided by a cantankerous caretaker and a malfunctioning robot, sets about generating enough festive spirit to save the town.
It is exactly the kind of show that Wrongsemble, who specialize in creating theatre for children, young people, schools and families, are brilliant at. “The response so far has been fantastic,” says Piper. “There is clearly an appetite for it; people seem to be really enjoying it and they appreciate being able to see it on their doorstep.”
The company is committed to nurturing a love of theatre in children and young people, both as audience members and participants.
“Being able to take work into schools is so important to us,” says Piper. “Part of our thinking is that if you don’t capture young people and children’s imagination and show them what live theatre can offer them, who will be your audience in 25 years’ time? I feel that very keenly. I want to make sure that theatre lasts another thousand years and you need to build an audience for that. Our job is to create something special, full of magic and memorable moments.” A Town Called Christmas certainly does that, catering for children and their grown-ups. “That shared experience is vital. There is something for everyone – it is a show about togetherness, friendship and community; heartwarming and full of festive spirit.”
A Proper Merry Christmess (age guidance 16+) and A Town Called Christmas (suitable for ages 3+) are both at Wakefield Exchange, December 15 and The Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, December 22-24. redladder.co.uk