Monday 30 September 2024

Red Ladder's Sanctuary at Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

Coming up from The Red Ladder company:

Written by Chumbawumba star Boff Whalley and acclaimed playwright Sarah Woods |

We're getting in touch to let you know that the Yorkshire-based, radical theatre company Red Ladder are returning to Huddersfield on Wed 23 - Thu 24 October with their powerful and moving new musical, Sanctuary.

We are proud to welcome Sanctuary to our main stage as we celebrate our new status as an official Theatre of Sanctuary, a recognition of our dedication to creating a welcoming and safe environment for refugees and asylum seekers.

A vital story of one man’s hopes for help and support in a time when not all strangers are welcomed, Sanctuary mixes hard-hitting ideas with memorable melodic tunes and harmonies.

When Alland, a young Iranian man, begs to be given sanctuary at St Mary’s church in a northern town, it sparks a community to react in all the ways each member believes to be right. Molly, a young worker there, joins forces with vicar Fiona to resist both the angry vigilantes and the hard-hearted authorities beyond the church walls to try to protect Alland.

Holding a special community service where voices on all sides sing their songs of redemption and condemnation, Fiona asks the question to everyone present: “Do we give Alland over to the State or live up to our well-versed ideals of compassion?”

Written by Boff Whalley (We’re Not Going Back) and award-winning playwright Sarah Woods’, Sanctuary also features a chorus drawn from students at Wakefield’s CAPA College.

Take a look behind-the-scenes

Dive into the rehearsal room and hear from Red Ladder's Artistic Director, Cheryl Martin, as she explains more about what you can expect from the show.