Bradford-based theatre company Mind the Gap will premiere The Invite, a bold new immersive theatre experience, as part of Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
Created especially for the cultural celebration, The Invite will run from 17–20 September 2025 at The Beacon, Lister Park, Bradford.
Audiences are invited to a surprise birthday party, complete with live music, movement, and birthday cake. The show is set over one unforgettable night at the pub, where six friends gather to celebrate.
Blurring the lines between reality and fiction, The Invite explores relationships, memories, fears, and what it truly means to be seen.
Directed by Rich Rusk, the production is co-created with Mind the Gap’s learning disabled and/or autistic cast, drawing on their real stories and lived experiences.
Rich Rusk, Director of The Invite, said:
“This show is bold and immersive and showcases the talents of our learning disabled and/or autistic cast who have co-created The Invite alongside myself and the team at Mind the Gap. The Invite draws on the real stories and experiences of performers and is excitingly accessible – a truly inclusive experience that will invite and encourage audience participation on the night. We can’t wait to premiere this new work.”
Jenny Harris, Director of Producing at Bradford 2025, added:
“Bradford 2025 is proud to collaborate with Bradford’s own Mind the Gap, a national leader in disability performance and inclusion, to present this new commission at The Beacon in Lister Park. Centring the diverse voices and stories of learning disabled and/or autistic members of our community, and co-created with a brilliant team of learning disabled and/or autistic artists, The Invite is one party you definitely won’t want to miss.”
Mind the Gap has been a pioneering force in inclusive theatre for over 30 years, empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autism to take centre stage.
Charli Ward, Creative Director, Mind the Gap, said:
“This new, immersive show reflects a new approach for Mind the Gap, building on our many years of experience of working with and listening to people with learning disabilities and/or autism. The Invite is an opportunity for us to showcase our pioneering inclusive practice and continue to ensure that people with learning disabilities and autism are centre stage, making and sharing high quality theatre.”
Performances of The Invite will take place at The Beacon, a custom-made touring venue for Bradford 2025, located in Lister Park.
The show runs nightly from 17–20 September, 7.30pm–8.30pm, with a matinee on 20 September at 2pm. Tickets are priced at £10 and the production is suitable for ages 14+. Access provisions include wheelchair access, a relaxed environment, audio description, and BSL interpretation.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
