Two Leeds theatre companies team up to creative joyful festive shows

In this season to be jolly, two Yorkshire theatre companies have teamed up to bring local audiences some festive joy.

- by Yvette Huddleston

Charles Doherty (Michael) Maryam Ali (Rani) Roo Arwen (Red) in Red Ladder's A Proper Merry Christmas. Picture: Robling Photography

(Robling Photography)

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 grownups 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 Cheryl, 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 Cheryl. "So, it is fun, but it is also very touching."