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

17-20 Sep 2025

The Beacon – Lister Park

The Invite

Mind the Gap

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

Mind the Gap threw a surprise birthday party for a guest of honour who wanted 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 blurred the lines between reality and fiction as it explored relationships, memories, fears – and what it truly means to be seen.

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

Behind the scenes

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

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.

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

Past event

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