A proper merry Christmess in a town called Christmas

Christmas gets a bit messy this year, courtesy of Red Ladder. Pic: David Lindsay

Leeds-based theatre companies Red Ladder and Wrongsemble are combining for a double bill of festive shows, pooling their actors and creatives for new comedy A Proper Merry Christmess and family show A Town Called Christmas.

A Proper Merry Christmess opened last night in Leeds (A Town Called Christmas opens tonight) and up to Christmas the two will play in Stockton, Wakefield, Gosforth and Huddersfield (for full schedule see link below).

Red Ladder artistic director Cheryl Martin said: “It’s wonderful for us and Wrongsemble to be able to collaborate like this. With the same cast appearing in both productions, it’s a great way of pooling our resources and bringing entertaining stories to life.

“I’m a big fan of Christmas and though these are very different shows, they both tap into the festive spirit, and we all need a little bit of that!”

A town called Christmas is aimed at young children aged three and over. Illustration by Bethan Woollvin

Elvi Piper, artistic director of Wrongsemble, said: “This partnership is all about immediacy, about bringing stories, laughter and music directly into communities when people need them most.”

A Proper Merry Christmess evolved from workshops with local communities and has been written by first-time playwright Seeta Wrightson and Leon Fleming, both from Leeds.

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As Team Grotto struggles to keep its dysfunctional festivities under wraps, can team members sleigh the competition with Christmas cheer alone? Or will they resort to dirty tricks..? 

A Town Called Christmas, written by Elvi Piper - who co-directs alongside Richard Priestley - is a family-friendly show aimed at young children and tells the story of Clementine, who dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency. Recommended for ages three and over.

Both shows open at Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck, Leeds, on November 28 and 29.

For the tour schedule and times for both shows, see here.