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07
Jul 2025
GALLERY: A record year for Ripon Theatre Festival
With 107 events, sell-out shows and a street party in Kirkgate, the fourth Ripon Theatre Festival fulfilled its promise of being the biggest and best yet.
The curtain came down on six days of proceedings last night (Sunday) with a performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream staged in the gardens of the Old Deanery and festival director Katie Scott told the Stray Ferret:
It has been a record year in terms of tickets sold, the number of events held and also the attendance at paid for and free to watch performances.
This has been achieved through the support that we have received from sponsors and an army of volunteers and my thanks go to them.
Here are some photos from the event.
Street performers the Knightly Knights
The Books acrobatic team were among the live entertainers.
Betty Lupton's Ladle Laikers from Harrogate performed alongside other Morris dancing teams outside Ripon Cathedral.
A street party held in Kirkgate as part of Ripon Theatre Festival, attracted a large gathering.
Poetry and pints were the order of the day on Saturday at the Portly Pig bar.
Ripon Youth Theatre sang songs from the musical Grease outside the cathedral.
The Yorkshire Voices Choir were in harmony on Market Square.
Victoria Sponge and Flour Power caught the eye in the city centre
A day of family entertainment
On Sunday, the focus turned to family entertainment in Spa Gardens.
Ms Scott said:
It was great to see grandparents, parents and children, coming to enjoy a day of free entertainment, including musical and theatrical performances,
Festival director Katie Scott
The Punch and Judy shows in Spa Gardens proved a big hit.
The Bee Cart gave the day added buzz.
Handmade Theatre, which provided children with the opportunity for some puppet petting, also attracted large audiences.
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