A moody woman in a green hoodie stands in front of a sunset landscape

23 Oct - 2 Nov 2025

Elmet

The Javaad Alipoor Company

An explosive Northern drama – created especially for Bradford 2025 by The Javaad Alipoor Company.

Event Details
Date 23 Oct - 2 Nov 2025
Times Various times
Location Loading Bay
Ages 14+
Contains graphic violence, including sexual violence.
Access
  • Wheelchair user access
  • Captioned
  • Audio described
  • Touch tour
  • BSL interpreted

Elmet is a gutsy story of family, revenge and the ultimate price of freedom – set in the wilds of the West Riding, created by Bradford-raised writer-director Javaad Alipoor and receiving its world premiere at Bradford 2025.

Cathy and Danny live apart from the world with towering bare-knuckle boxer Daddy, who’s built them an idyll amid the trees on a land “made of myths”. But a great reckoning is coming, led by all-powerful local landowner Mr Price – and it threatens to smash apart everything the trio hold dear.

Javaad Alipoor’s stage adaptation of Fiona Mozley’s Booker Prize-shortlisted novel bursts into life at Loading Bay with grit and guts – like an ancient tragedy reflected in shards of memory. With movement from Deb Pugh (Ad Infinitum) and new music from the BBC Folk Award-winning The Unthanks, this powerful production builds to a jaw-dropping showdown finale.

Content warning

  • Age guidance: 14+
  • This play contains subject matter that some audience members may find distressing. Contains graphic violence, including sexual violence.
  • Production involves pyrotechnics, haze, flashing lights, loud noises and stage blood, including a firearm and flame.

A Visual Guide for Elmet will be available on our website soon.

Post show discussion

Join us on 29 October for a post-show discussion featuring Elmet prize-nominated author Fiona Mozley and Javaad Alipoor, Artistic Director of The Javaad Alipoor Company, in conversation with Syima Aslam, CEO and Artistic Director of Bradford Literature Festival.

Visit Loading Bay

Loading Bay is a brand new pop-up arts venue in Bradford City Centre for Bradford 2025.

Join us on Duke Street as we bring a true Bradford 2025 buzz to the heart of the city.

Audio Flyer

Listen to an audio described flyer for RIDE below – you can read the full transcription here.

Soundcloud avatar
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Credits
Based on the novel by Fiona Mozley
Conceived and Directed by Javaad Alipoor
Commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture

Image © Justin Sutcliffe

Cast and Creative Team

Danny
LJ Parkinson
Cathy
Jennifer Jackson
Vivian/Martha/Ensemble
Gabriella Schmidt
Price/Ewart/Ensemble
Sean Jackson
Charlie/Ensemble
Tom Varey



Conceived and Directed by
Javaad Alipoor
Composition and Music Direction
Adrian McNally and The Unthanks
with Musical Performances by
The Unthanks
Dramaturg
Laurence Cook
Dramaturg, Direction
Natalie Diddams
Movement Director
Deb Pugh
Set and Costume Design
Good Teeth
Set Design Support
Anthony Lamble
Associate Costume Designer
Sascha Gilmour
Lighting Design
Prema Mehta
Sound Design
Sam Glossop
Production Manager
Chris Firth
Assistant Director
Amber Medway
Casting Director
Nadine Rennie CDG
Stage Manager
Martin Small
Deputy Stage Manager
Maddie Whiffin
Imtimacy and Fight Director
Kaitlin Howard
Dialect Coach
Gurkiran Kaur
Trainee Movement Director
Yasamin Rashidi
Trainee Production Manager
Lee Bowman

Based on Elmet by Fiona Mozley © 2017

Access

Join our access scheme to view access tickets or contact our Ticketing team for more information.
Sign up

There will be accessible performances available for this show. Please check back for dates and times to be announced.

Wheelchair spaces available to book

If you are a member of our access scheme, sign in to your Bradford 2025 account to book a wheelchair space and companion ticket.

If you have any questions or would like to join the scheme, contact our Ticketing team on [email protected]

Touch Tour - 2 Nov

There will be a Tour Tour of the set on Sunday 2 November at 2.30pm.

Please contact us on [email protected] to book a space, or call 01274 053100.

Audio Description - 2 Nov

The 4pm performance on Sunday 2 Nov will have Audio Description in English.

BSL Interpeted - 28 Oct

The performance of Elmet on Tuesday 28 October will have British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation.

Captioned - 31 Oct

The performance of Elmet on Friday 311 October will have Captions in English delivered via Stage Text.

Tickets

23 Oct - 2 Nov 2025

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