Breadcrumbs: Outdoor Theatre at Sunny Bank Mills

Breadcrumbs – the new show from Leeds-based theatre company Wrongsemble – offers a fairytale twist that any parent of bickering children will appreciate. This witty outdoor adaptation of Hansel and Gretel reimagines the classic tale with a relatable twist: the lost children aren’t just deep in the woods – they’re deep in an argument over who’s fastest, cleverest, or Mum’s undisputed favourite. Sound familiar?

A gently anarchic take on the familiar story, Breadcrumbs sees the squabbling siblings wake up in an enchanted forest with no idea how they got there – with only a trail of breadcrumbs to guide them back. Cue puppetry, music, mild chaos and a race to make it home in time for tea – it’s a smart, snappy piece of storytelling with plenty of heart.

Specially created for children aged 3 and up (and their grown-ups), Breadcrumbs is the latest family show from Wrongsemble, a company known for making inventive, accessible theatre with a strong Northern accent. Based in Leeds, they were named ‘Best Theatre Company’ in the Yorkshire Prestige Awards 2022, and also won the Child Friendly Leeds Award for ‘Inspiring Creativity through Arts and Culture’ in 2020. They are currently Resident Company with Slung Low at Temple. Their outdoor performances are designed to be shared by audiences of all ages – so expect plenty of laughs, toe-tapping tunes and interactive moments.

The performance takes place in the leafy outdoor space at Sunny Bank Mills in Farsley – a former textile mill turned vibrant cultural venue, just outside Leeds. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and settle in for an hour of imaginative storytelling in the sunshine (fingers crossed).

Breadcrumbs is happening as part of a summer-long outdoor tour from Wrongsemble, and promises to be a theatrical treat for little ones – especially those who love getting lost in a good story.