An award-winning theatre group took over City Hall yesterday - for a very revealing production.
Mind the...gap descended on the civic building for a performance of The Emperor's New Clothes, as part of Bradford International Festival.
The colourful show was 60 minutes of fast-paced fun, taking the audience around the building, from the Council Chamber - transformed into the Emperor's bedroom, complete with huge bed in the middle - to Centenary Square where he was revealed in all his glory!
The audience, including some children, followed the action around the building.
Beautiful costumes, a terrific cast and a very funny script combined to make this an imaginative and thoroughly entertaining production.
Bradford-based Mind the...gap, which provides theatre skills training for people with learning difficulties, produces a play for the Festival each year.
Dave Calvert, co-director of this production, said: "We have a history of taking theatre to non-theatre spaces. It makes theatre more accessible.
"City Hall is a great building which lends itself to something theatrical. It's very fitting as the backdrop to the Emperor's bedroom and fitting room."
Director Tim Wheeler said: "Once again we've taken over and transformed the fabulous City Hall, offering everyone the chance to see the corridors of power as they've never been seen before - with a few surprises along the way."
Written by Mike Kenny, directed by Tim Wheeler and designed by Jonathan Bentley, the adaptation has reunited the team behind the company's spectacular promenade performances of The Pied Piper which took place at City Hall two years ago. Also taking part in the city centre yesterday was an outdoor show which came prepared for traditional British summer weather.
Manningham-based Poppets Puppets entertained the crowds with Moist - The Wet Weather Show, which involved stories, songs and soaking stunts.
"We're performing sketches based on everything from Titanic to Singing in the Rain," said Uncle Tacko, aka director and puppeteer Tony Liddington.
"Moist was inspired by our show at last year's Festival when we spent two days in the rain. This year we decided to do a show about wet weather - we've brought a power jet washer with us to make sure the audience gets wet!"
Moist continues on Tuesday in Centenary Square from 6pm to 6.30pm.
The Emperor's New Clothes runs in City Hall and Centenary Square next week from Monday to Thursday at 1pm. Tickets for the indoor performances have all gone, but anyone is welcome to watch the Centenary Square part.
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