Ripon Theatre Festival in full flow for landmark fifth season
🎭✨ It started with the play Tributaries and Ripon’s landmark fifth theatre festival will remain in full flow until next weekend (11 and 12 July), when it concludes with a fabulous two days of free‑to‑watch, family‑focused entertainment 👨👩👧👦🎉
Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog, who attended Saturday evening’s sell‑out event staged in a marquee in the gardens of the Workhouse Museum, said:
“The play, which was inspired by Thomas Maude’s epic poem about Wensleydale, was written and directed by Phillip Harrison and Mark Cronfield of Fell‑Foss Theatre, both of whom played parts in a tale which featured folklore and myth relating to the River Ure 🌊📜.
“Their innovative storytelling, accompanied by the enchanting folk music of the Brothers Gillespie 🎶, took the audience on a stream‑of‑consciousness journey from the source of the Ure on Abbotside Common in the Pennines of North Yorkshire all the way into Ripon.
“Mark, in the lead role of the 18th‑century poet and steward of Wensleydale’s Bolton Estate, provided the narrative which ran throughout the play and was brought to life by members of Ripon Museums’ Workhouse Theatre Group 🎭.
“From a giant to a fierce dog and symbolic white horse, to an angler pulled into the river by an enormous fish 🐟 and an endangered flock of bleating sheep 🐑, the players brought both gasps and guffaws from the audience in a most enjoyable and at times educational evening of entertainment.”
After the show, Mark said: “We are delighted to be providing a curtain raiser for this year’s fantastic festival. “We were approached by Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust and asked to create a community theatre piece based on the River Ure which can be performed at both ends of the dale, and thanks to the help of a volunteer at the Dales Countryside Museum, we learnt about Thomas Maude’s beautiful poem.”
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, pointed out: “We are delighted to be supporting this year’s expanded festival programme, which has indoor and outdoor performances suitable for people of all ages 🌈, at locations where heritage attractions — including our magnificent cathedral ⛪, Market Square and obelisk, three museums, The Chapel of St Mary Magdalen, Spa Gardens 🌿 and Ripon Racecourse 🏇 — provide a whole host of wonderful historic settings that can be enjoyed along with the events.”
For further details about festival events and ticket availability go to ripontheatrefestival.org
The giant makes a dramatic entrance
Mark Cronfield played the part of Thomas Maude
A flowing blue veil was used to depict the River Ure
The Brothers Gillespie provided music, singing and sound effects.
