“Hilarious” theatre show promises to bring festive family cheer to Leeds
A festive family theatre show which features fun, music, and audience interactivity will arrive in Leeds for the start of the school Christmas holidays.
Who Stole the Christmas Pud? by Curly Tales Theatre tells the story of Ivy, an amateur sleuth who is determined to uncover who has stolen Mr Cracker’s Christmas pudding.
The 50-minute show will perform at Engine Shed in Wetherby on Sunday December 21 and at Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre on December 22.
Jennifer Carss who plays Ivy described Who Stole the Christmas Pud? as “creative chaos” which is suitable for ages five and above.
The actor, who is also co-artistic director of Curly Tales Theatre, said: “It's a one-woman show which invites children to help solve a mystery.
“The kids dictate the route of the show - they get to decide who the culprit is and some of them get to come up and play suspects with me.”
For Jennifer, audience participation is the “best part” of the show because it creates unpredictable moments which prove to be “hysterical”.
Jennifer said: “Kids are funnier than us so their suggestions when they improvise are always hilarious.
“You never know what they are going to come out with.”
As well as audience participation, Who Stole the Christmas Pud? features live music created through guitars and loop pedals.
According to Jennifer, these features make it an ideal show for creative kids with a sense of humour.
Jennifer, who is originally from the North East, first founded Curly Tales Theatre in 2015 with an aim to create stories that shift beyond the traditional fairy tale framework by including active female characters.
Alongside Curly Tales Theatre co-artistic director Jordan Larkin, she first took Who Stole the Christmas Pud? on the road last year and performed in Leeds and Newcastle.
The pair found that children and adults alike loved the festive-themed mystery and one primary school teacher even described the performance as the “best show” they had ever seen.”
Now Jennifer and Jordan are excited to bring Who Stole the Christmas Pud? back for new audiences who they are sure will keep them on their toes.
Jennifer said: “We can’t wait to spread some festive cheer. We’re going to surprise you, have lots of festive fun along the way, and maybe we’ll find a pudding too.”
Tickets for Who Stole the Christmas Pud? cost £8.00 and are available to buy online.