A character, Harley, sits under a table. There’s a birthday cake on the table, the candles are lit.

17-20 Sep 2025

The Invite

Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap’s new immersive theatre experience invites you to a surprise party with music, movement… and cake.

Event Details
Date 17-20 Sep 2025
Times 7:30pm-8:30pm
Matinee performance on 20 Sep, 2-3pm
Location The Beacon – Lister Park
Tickets £10 ↓
Ages 14+
Under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult
Access
  • Wheelchair user access
  • Relaxed environment
  • BSL interpreted
  • Quiet space available
  • Touch tour
  • Embedded audio description
  • Creative Captions

Mind the Gap throws a surprise birthday party for a guest of honour who wants nothing more than to disappear.

The Invite is an immersive theatre experience set over one unforgettable night at the pub, where six friends gather to celebrate a birthday. Created especially for Bradford 2025, this funny, heartfelt and honest show blurs the lines between reality and fiction as it explores relationships, memories, fears – and what it truly means to be seen.

Blending music, movement and raw storytelling, The Invite is another unmissable show from Bradford’s brilliant theatre pioneers.

Behind the scenes

Watch Mind the Gap’s process trailer for The Invite.

BSL Flyer

Watch a BSL (British Sign Language) interpreted flyer for The Invite below.

Audio Flyer

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

Audio Introductory Notes

Listen to the introductory notes for The Invite, which includes an overview of the performance and introductions to the characters – read the full transcription here.

Soundcloud avatar
0:00 / 0:00

Content warning

This show contains themes of loneliness and death. There are also some loud noises mostly from the live band, and the lights go dark for short periods of time, though never fully blackout.

Visual Story

If you’d like to prepare for your visit to watch The Invite, this visual story has been created to help. It includes photographs of the characters, various settings, and an overview of the show’s storyline.

About Mind the Gap

Mind the Gap is England’s premier learning disability performance and arts company, breaking barriers and celebrating diversity. Based in Bradford, the company is committed to pushing boundaries, challenging perceptions and empowering individuals with learning disabilities and autism in the world of performing arts. For more than 30 years, Mind the Gap has been at the forefront of advocating for inclusion and diversity in the arts, and proud to have paved the way for individuals with learning disabilities and autism to access and excel in the performing arts sector.

Visit The Beacon in Lister Park

The Beacon is a custom-made touring venue for Bradford 2025.

From 28 August – 28 September, The Beacon will be at Lister Park.

Plan your visit below, or get in touch with us on [email protected] for more information.

Lister Park
North Park Road,
Bradford,
BD9 4NS

Credits
Lead image © Rich Rusk

Partners

Credits

Charli Ward
Creative Director
Maria Thelwell
Executive Producer
Rich Rusk
Director
Emily Blackwell
Creative Producer
Shannon Whitworth
Assistant Producer
Karen Bartholomew
Movement Director
Matt Evens
Music Director
Becca Johnson
Theatre Associate
Caroline Sheard
Production Manager
Mark Melville
Sound Designer and Composer
Ruby Law [RULA]
Set Designer
Lucy Adams
Lighting Designer
Heather Newsham
Stage Manager
Alison Colborne
Assistant Stage Manager
Vicky Ackroyd
Access Consultant
Ben Glover
Creative Captioner
Melissa Conyers
Head of Support
Tia Williams
Support Team
Jenny Jones
Support Team
Ezekiel Oliveira
Marketing and Communications
Performers
Cara Bussey
Alan Clay
Theo Griffiths
JoAnne Haines
Charlotte Jones
Jake Thow
Musicians
Lorraine Brown
Jez Colborne
Connor Lewins

Access

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

Embedded Audio Description

This performance will have Embedded Audio Description in English.

Creative Captions

This event will have Creative Captions in English.

Tickets →

  • AD =  Audio Described
  • BSL =  British Sign Language Interpreted
  • CAP =  Captioned

Related Events

FREE Part of Heritage Open Days

Sacred Vows and Sacred Spaces

Bradford South Asian Festival

'Chai & Chat' sessions exploring the significance of marriage ceremonies.

FREE Part of Heritage Open Days

Global Dresses of the World

Intercultured Festival

Women-only fashion show celebrating the rich cultural heritage of textiles.

FREE Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

The Archers Podcast recording

Join host Emma Freud and poet Rachel Bower to dig deep into the latest events in Ambridge.

White background, black logo: BBC Introducing
FREE Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

BBC Introducing Showcase

See the best emerging spoken word musical talent from the Bradford area.

FREE Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

Launch of the National Young Poet Laureate programme

In partnership with National Poetry Centre.

Nick Ahad stands in a blue shirt, smiling towards the camera.
FREE Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

BBC Radio 4 Front Row

BBC Radio 4’s flagship arts programme, live from Bradford.

SOLD OUT Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

Bradford Open Mic Night

Bradford Open Mic is a space open to all to read, perform or just listen to poetry and spoken word.

A white man talks into a microphone, he is wearing a white shirt and a black blazer and has a pair of headphones on his head.
FREE Part of BBC Contains Strong Language

BBC Radio 4 Start the Week

Tom Sutcliffe

Explore the history of Bradford and Britain through its poetry