NOW in its third year, Ripon Theatre Festival promises an ever-growing summer event.

The festival now stretches to six nights and five days packed with professional touring shows alongside colourful community performances.

Taking place from Tuesday, July 2, to Sunday, July 7, the festival promises an extensive and varied programme of drama, family entertainment, dance, circus, comedy, cabaret and spoken word events.

Theatre and fun will be popping up in unexpected places and making the most of the city’s attractive venues and open-air spaces.

Outdoor theatre fans can enjoy shows at both the stunning Newby Hall and in the lovely gardens of The Old Deanery or spend a leisurely Sunday in Ripon at the Family Day where puppet shows, street entertainment, music and dance run alongside visits from Wrongsemble and Rhubarb Theatre companies.

Festival Saturday on July 6 will see another whole day of pop-up shows, walkabout acts and street performers, kicking off with story-telling for breakfast, Morris dancing and fire-juggling. Visiting acts will arrive in the city from across the UK to join regionally-based theatre companies and performers.

The extended programme for 2024 includes a daytime Julie Andrews’ musical tribute, A Spoonful of Julie, a stand-up comedy-meets-storytelling event in the Storehouse Bar, an Opera Brunch at Valentino’s Ristorante and a digital theatre experience from Pilot Theatre Company taking place daily in Ripon Cathedral.

The festival also boasts its first Storyteller-in-Residence with Ilaria Passeri spending time in the city performing and running creative workshops for both adults and children.

As part of its developing outreach programme, the event will also be taking theatre and music into care settings. Older people and those living with dementia will be able to enjoy non-verbal puppet theatre and mini concerts from specialist companies and practitioners.

Festival director Katie Scott says: “We believe that theatre should be for everyone. Our varied and accessible programme of events provides real theatrical treats for seasoned theatre-goes, but also lively and low-cost opportunities for first-timers and families.

"We love bringing events to non-theatre spaces and working with local businesses and other partner organisations to create a buzz in the city which all can enjoy.”

For details of ticketed events and free shows, see www.ripontheatrefestival.org.