Harrogate talent key in small theatre group which is striking it big with 'Bake Off' inspired play
A small Harrogate village theatre company has managed to win a crucial financial boost at a time when arts funding is extremely hard to come by.
Renowned for touring village halls and rural locations usually overlooked by most theatre companies, the inventive Badapple Theatre was founded in 1998 by Kate Bramley, a successful comedy writer from Harrogate who is the group’s artistic director.
The tiny but award-winning company is now celebrating receiving a grant of nearly £1,000 for its hit ‘live baking’ play Crumbs, which was loosely inspired by TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off.
North Yorkshire Council’s Stronger Communities Inspire Fund means audiences in five more remote North Yorkshire venues can enjoy this hilarious one-woman show which was penned by Bramley and stars Harrogate actor Ellen Carnazza playing multiple roles and 'live baking' on a working oven on stage, the product of which people can taste at the end of the show.
Badapple Theatre’s Artistic Director Kate Bramley said, "We are very grateful to North Yorkshire Council supporting us and our local volunteer community organisers, who work so hard to bring live theatre to parts of the county where it is difficult to access high quality events without having to travel a good distance.”
Based in the village of Green Hammerton, the independent Badapple Theatre is firmly committed to taking original theatre to rural areas where shows do not usually go.
Crumbs will tour in Yorkshire and nationally from April 14 to May 23.