Red Ladder Theatre Company and Wrongsemble, two of Yorkshire’s most popular theatre companies, are touring the UK with a double bill of festive shows this Christmas.

Red Ladder’s brand new comedy, A Proper Merry Christmess, and Wrongsemble’s family show, A Town Called Christmas, open at Slung Low, The Warehouse In Holbeck, Leeds, on November 28 and 29 before heading out on tour in December to Stockton Arts Centre, Wakefield Exchange, Gosforth Civic Theatre (Newcastle), the Lawrence Batley Theatre (Huddersfield) and Brighton Dome.

Red Ladder’s A Proper Merry Christmess evolved from workshops with local communities involving one of the theatre company’s local venues BITMO (Belle Isle Tenant Management Organisation) and St George’s Crypt, an award-winning charity that supports homeless people in Leeds.

Written by first time playwright Seeta Wrightson and Leon Fleming, both based in Leeds, and directed by Cheryl Martin, A Proper Merry Christmess is a chaotic Christmas comedy for grown-ups – an honest festive story, featuring the authentic heartbreak and humour that the Christmas movies usually leave out.

It’s Christmas Eve at West Yorkshire’s (almost) favourite garden centre, which means seasonal bonus time. But there’s a problem: only one department can take home the cash. As Team Grotto struggle to keep their dysfunctional festivities under wraps, can they sleigh the competition with Christmas cheer alone? Or will they resort to dirty tricks?

Joining the tour is A Town Called Christmas, written by Elvi Piper, who co-directs alongside Richard Priestley, with original music by Bay Bryan and Claire O’Connor. This family-friendly show aimed at young children tells the story of Clementine who dreams of a gingerbread village where chocolate coins are currency, and laughter hangs like baubles in the air. The happiest place on Earth. Or at least it used to be.

Undeterred, Clementine, along with a cantankerous caretaker and a malfunctioning robot, sets about generating enough festive spirit to save the day and the town called Christmas.

For more information and to buy tickets visit Red Ladder’s website at Red Ladder Theatre Company

 A Town Called Christmas is a show for adventurers aged 3+ and their grown-ups

A Proper Merry Christmess age guidance: 1

Photo: David Lindsay