Arts and community groups from across the city, are coming together to play a role in the new Ripon Theatre Festival
Taking place from June 23 to 26, the festival aims to brighten the open spaces and venues in the city with professional and community performances.
Plans include puppetry, dance, drama, street theatre, storytelling, children’s activities and family shows.
Festival director Ian Holloway and representatives from the organisations that make up the festival team, introduced themselves to an audience of 40 potential participants, volunteers and supporters at a meeting held in Ripon Arts Hub last week.
Festival team members, from the left: Ian Holloway, Tina Salden, Simon Hewitt, Katie Scott and Julia Whitham
They shared news of some of the theatre companies, performers and entertainers they hope to welcome to the city over an extended festival weekend.
The event is being made possible with funding from a growing number of businesses and organisations, including main sponsor Wolseley, which has been a leading employer in the Ripon area for more than half a century.
Family shows are planned for Ripon’s Spa Gardens
In attendance were representatives of some of the festival’s venues and partners. These included Ripon Arts Hub, Ripon Library, Ripon Workhouse Museum and Ripon Together along with the new Ripon Business Improvement District, represented by BID board director, John Alder.
In addition to the family-focused entertainment at Spa Gardens, plans include open-air Shakespeare at Fountains Abbey, hard-hitting drama at Ripon Bowling Club, living history at the Workhouse Museum along with a community revue at Ripon Arts Hub, storytelling and children’s theatre at Ripon Library and street theatre & entertainers in Ripon City Centre
Volunteers sought
Volunteer Co-ordinator, Tina Salden, said:
“There are many roles for volunteers to help out as stewards and marshals or to serve refreshments, look after visiting artists or direct visitors and audiences.
Help is also needed ahead of the Festival with publicity around the region to ensure that the events are enjoyed by as many people as possible.” Anyone who missed the meeting, but who wants to get involved can contact [email protected].
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