Sprouts About at Leeds Central Library! Wronsgsemble Theatre Company presents ‘The Princess and the Sprout & Other Festive Tales’
Local theatre company Wrongsemble have a sprout or two up their sleeve when it comes to festive family-friendly entertainment. Catch their brand new pop-up show The Princess and the Sprout & Other Festive Tales from 7th-31st December at Leeds Central Library, the only festive show in Leeds this year specifically catering to 3-8 year old audiences.
Who are Wrongsemble?
We are a family theatre company based right here in Leeds, dedicated to creating unique and vibrant theatre for young people, schools and families. The company was born out of a desire to make family theatre for all, from the young of age to the young at heart! Since our creation in 2015, we’ve made all sorts of shows that have been performed across West Yorkshire and the UK.
Most recently we’ve been touring our magical reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant, and over the summer we presented The Alia Chronicles outdoors at Bradford’s magnificent Mirror Pool for Bradford Literature Festival.
What is The Princess and the Sprout?
The Princess and the Sprout & Other Festive Tales is a brand new festive show that we have created in collaboration with Leeds Central Library. Our festive tales will be bursting with original live music, and embody our characteristically mischievous style, which turns typical children’s stories on their heads.
Audiences can expect a cheeky retelling of ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’, as well as a reimagining of ‘The Red Shoes’ that transforms the tragic fable into a joyful adventure about the value of inner beauty over outward appearance. The title story takes the fairytale of ‘The Princess and the Pea’ and mounts a timely challenge to the gender stereotypes endorsed by the original, presenting a world where sprouts are magical and girls aren’t defined by delicacy, but by daring and bravery.
Each show will be rounded off with an interactive ‘stay and play’ session onstage, giving you the chance to meet the cast and try on some amazing costumes.
Why have you made the show?
We love libraries, and we want to share their magic with families across Leeds. They are incredible places filled with stories and opportunities, and we want to encourage young people to enjoy them, championing the joy of reading and the power of the imagination. This Christmas, none of Leeds’ main theatres are producing a festive show specifically for three to eight year olds, and we are delighted to be ensuring that new and existing audiences of this age are provided for in a truly unique environment.
What makes it so special?
The Princess and the Sprout isn’t any old festive show; it is one that has been created especially for Leeds Libraries, weaving the people and amazing literary collections found there into each story. It will be performed in a one-of-a-kind pop-up theatre never before seen in the Library, with full stage and lighting. Each tale has been transported to Leeds (our hometown!) and will be routed in the voices and geography of the city. 
All of our shows centre around a relaxed atmosphere, enabling families from all over Leeds to experience magical productions. The Princess and the Sprout has been designed with total inclusivity, and we will be staging two Relaxed Performances, along with BSL Interpreted shows. It is a show for the whole festive season – not just for Christmas – and so we hope it will prove an enchanting experience for all ‘sprouts’ ages 3-8 and their grown-ups!
INFORMATION:
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmisSJ2i85g
Venue: Room 700, Leeds Central Library, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 3AB
Dates: 7th-31st December
Performances: Times vary
Running time: 50 mins
Ticket prices: Children/Concessions £5 | Adults £7 | Family of Four £20
Book online: http://www.wrongsemble.com & ticketsource.co.uk
Cast
- Rosie Fox
- Edith Kirkwood
- Russell Richardson
Creative Team
- Director / Writer – Elvi Piper
- Designer – Antony Jones
- Access Producer – Kirsty Pennycook
- Producer – Chemeana Lacey
- Technical Consultants – Production Light and Sound
- Libraries Consultant – Rachel Ingle-Teare
