Leeds Theatre Festival: Red Ladder Readings & Scratch
Following the success of last year’s Red Ladder readings and scratch event at Leeds Theatre Festival, we’re returning to Leeds Conservatoire this July 6th to 18th.
The festival is a vibrant celebration of creativity, showcasing the outstanding talent of Conservatoire students and partnership organisations.
This exciting festival champions fresh ideas and original work, offering a platform for new voices and emerging artists to share their stories. The line-up includes new performances, play readings, scratch nights and performances of a commissioned musical.
Whether you’re passionate about new writing or simply curious to see what the next generation of theatre-makers are creating, this is an event not to be missed.
Below are the Red Ladder Readings and Scratch with details of how to book:
A Little Bit of Love
Tickets available HERE
Mon 6th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
As Toni Marie comes under increasing pressure, she digs her heels in and refuses to help. The doctor initiates a Mental Capacity Assessment which Toni-Marie passes but complicates matters further.
Toni-Marie has the capacity to make the decision independent of her parents but still declines the potentially lifesaving operation. Angelica is devastated, Mum wants more time, believing Toni-Marie just needs to process things ‘in her own way’. Dad bribes Toni-Marie to comply with tickets to see Luke Littler, but when the dates clash Toni-Marie does a moonlight flit.
Written by Jilly Sumsion. Dramaturgy by Laura Marsden. Directed by Cheryl Martin
Falling in Love With Fictional Men
Tickets available HERE
Wed 8th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
Stevie and Nick, loosely estranged siblings in their late twenties, reunite to scatter their dads ashes. Nick arrives expecting a sober, respectful send-off. Stevie arrives with a duck-shaped pedalo and a four pack of beers. As they awkwardly pedal across a small lake in Yorkshire, their clashing approach to the memorial quickly unravels into a bigger conflict. Their Dad, recently ostracised by the local community, looms large in his absence. Nick, who stood by him and cared for him during his terminal illness, struggles to reconcile the man he knew with the accusations left behind. Stevie is determined to see him as a villain, a black and white picture of parental neglect, shame and toxic masculinity.
Written by Fabien O’Farrell. Dramaturgy by Michael Hunter. Directed by Cheryl Martin
Screaming Circle
Tickets available HERE
Fri 10th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
On the night of the blood moon eclipse, Anne persuades Claire to step away from the dessert menu at their local Harvester and take a big risk on a new women’s wellness circle on Saddleworth Moor with life changing consequences.
Written by: Rachael Halliwell. Dramaturgy by Tonicha Jeronimo. Directed by Cheryl Martin
Red Ladder Scratch
Tickets available HERE
Saturday 11th July at 2.30pm – Room 219
A selection of first drafts from exciting new writers involved in Red Ladder’s Writing Development Programme.
Presented by Red Ladder. Directed by: Cheryl Martin
Dog Dog Dog
Tickets available HERE
Mon 13th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
Greater Manchester, September 2008. The height of Cheryl Cole’s X-Factor domination. Side fringes and lads mags fill the empty high street shops and a 12 year old girl believes that she is turning into a dog.Inspired by my own experience of being called a dog in high school, DOG DOG DOG is a dark comedy which asks how a child can reclaim their humanity in a society which is determined to strip them of it?
Written by Terri Jade Donovan. Dramaturgy by Candice Pullom. Directed by Cheryl Martin
Revenge
Tickets available HERE
Tues 14th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
If a crime wasn’t a crime then, but totally is now, where the fuck does that leave me today?
In a shit load of debt from a fuck tonne of therapy…Fucking brilliant!
Revenge is a semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age piece about a millennial woman who is coming to terms with the crimes and trauma of her teenage years. Being a victim of revenge porn at the dawn of the camera phone era, before this was ever considered a crime.
It investigates female sexuality, toxic masculinity, the politics of race and colourism, puberty and girlhood and how perceptions have changed over the past 25 years.
Written by Rachel Morris. Dramaturgy by Frankie Sharp. Directed by Cheryl Martin
Blood-Bird-Bone
Tickets available HERE
Thurs 16th July at 12.30pm – Room 219
Blood-Bone-Bird follows a mother’s struggle to protect her son from harm while navigating family court and post-separation abuse. Removed from her rural life on a community farm, into urban social housing, the play charts her descent, through the seasons.
Written by Katie Covey. Dramaturgy by Sheri Sanders. Directed by Cheryl Martin
You can also contact the Leeds Conservatoire box office on 0113 222 3434 to book tickets over the phone. Please note our box office opening hours are Monday to Friday, 9:00AM – 5:00PM.
We really hope to see you there!
Accessibility
Leeds Conservatoire operate a step-free site and is flat surfaced throughout all buildings, however in The Venue itself front row seating is advised. Please contact their box office on 0113 222 3434 to discuss your requirements and to ensure we seat you in an appropriate area.
Further Accessibility information can be found on their Contact & Find Us page.