Looking at the ‘what’s on’ page of this website, January might appear to be a quiet month for us, but that’s not the case. The office here at Friargate is a hive of planning, plotting, and preparation (and maybe a smidge of cleaning up after Christmas). In particular we’ll be welcoming our new Roughshod company into the building to start devising and rehearsing their 2015 show IrRESISTible.

Still January is also the perfect time to tell you all about the projects that we’ve got lined up for the next year, so…

Here’s what we’re got in store for 2015

Inheritance: 26 Feb – 4 April

A second tour for Bridget Foreman’s acclaimed Passion Play which places the events of Holy Week into the community where Jesus lived and the traditions with which he wrestled. In the shadow of the cross, Inheritance casts light on some of the women Jesus stands alongside, sharing in their suffering. Combining theatre and worship, the Church Times praised the play as “the Passion story in close-up: intense, intimate …a piece of perfection.” 

[more info about Inheritance here]

Roughshod IrRESISTable: 7 March – 1 Aug

Touring to churches, schools, prisons (and many more places who’ll invite us) in 2015 Roughshod will be telling stories of hopes and hazards, asking ‘what does it cost to make a difference’? This year Roughshod have partnered with Open Doors, a charity which serves persecuted Christians worldwide, to create work in celebration of their 60th anniversary.

[more info about Roughshod here]

Living Stones 2015: 23 May – 31 May

Perhaps one of the most special and unusual ways to visit the Holy Land, Living Stones is a pilgrimage with a unique dramatic ingredient offered by Riding Lights’ involvement. Wherever possible, actors travelling with the tour will recreate stories associated with the places we are visiting as well as other moments of impromptu performance. Join us and Lightline Pilgrimages for this very unique holiday.

[more info about Living Stones here]

Summer Theatre School: 25 July – 1 Aug

Once again we’ll be retuning to Queen Margaret’s School near York for a wonderful week of creativity and performance. We’re running three new courses this year, with the return of a writers course (Inside Story), the chance to expand your vocal skills and devise a brand new live ‘radio’ play (Free Speech) and, in co-operation with Springs Dance Company, a movement and dance course (Giant Leaps).

[more info about Summer School here]

Into the autumn…

Plans are currently being made for a brand new National Tour looking at ecological issues in the autumn (more on this soon), and we will finish the year with our usual family Christmas Shows, including a national tour of A Christmas Cracker after it delighted audiences in Yorkshire in 2014.

At Friargate Theatre

Don’t forget, we’ve also got a packed programme at Friargate Theatre here in York. Of particular note for spring 2015 are the performances as part of the York Literature Festival and the York International Shakespeare Festival. If you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out what we’ve got going on on the Friargate page of this website.

Exciting stuff, we hope you’ll agree. If you’d like to keep updated about everything which Riding Lights get up to, why not sign up to the mailing list.