North Yorkshire

Puppet Theatre Show For Older Families Comes To York In 2026

By

Lisa Hayes
27 February 2026, 10:17 am

The award-winning puppet show Meet Fred is coming to the York Theatre Royal in North Yorkshire from 31 March to 2 April 2026. This three-day production offers an indoor cultural activity for families with teenagers and adults in the days leading up to the Easter weekend.

Staged in the theatre’s Studio space, the performance is part of a 10th-anniversary tour by Hijinx Theatre in association with puppetry specialists Blind Summit. Unlike traditional puppet shows for young children, this production is a political satire that follows a two-foot-tall cloth puppet named Fred.

The story explores Fred’s life as he faces the threat of losing his Puppetry Living Allowance, which serves as a metaphor for the real-world disability benefits system. Because the show contains adult themes, strong language, and puppet nudity, it is recommended for audiences aged 14 and over.

For those looking for inclusive options, every performance of the show will be captioned to make it easier to follow. According to Visit York, there will also be a British Sign Language interpreted performance on 2 April at 7:45 PM.

This production marks a decade of success for Meet Fred, a company known for casting performers with learning disabilities and autism. It provides a structured alternative to outdoor holiday events for local residents looking for socially relevant entertainment during the school break.

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