Audiences in neighbourhood venues across the Leeds City Region will be having a ball this summer when the Playhouse takes Fidget Theatre’s Football Freddie on a two-week Community Tour, kicking off on 5 June.

Ten community venues, including Harehills Labour Club, Jamyang Buddhist Centre in Holbeck, and Temple Newsam Halton Primary School, will be hosting the show on its (referee’s) whistle-stop tour of the city, giving their friends and neighbours the chance to see a fun family show by a professional company.

After a run of ‘home games’ from 31 May to 3 June in the Bramall Rock Void studio at the Playhouse, Football Freddie will head out on a two-week season of premiere league ‘away games’ across the city from 5-17 June, giving footie fans a chance to limber up in plenty of time for the Women’s World Cup in July.

Luke Dankoff, Participation Producer at Leeds Playhouse, said: ‘The community tour has been an integral part of Leeds Playhouse’s programme for many years. It has been a privilege to speak to so many representatives of community venues who are embedded in their area for us to work together to deliver such a wonderful show. It’s important for us as an organisation that we can take work outside the theatre and make connections with so many new and returning people across the Leeds City Region.’

Football Freddie, presented by Leeds-based Fidget Theatre, is the story of a little girl with a big heart, who loves the beautiful game. Walking – running, kicking and tackling – in the footsteps of her professional footballer Great-Great-Great Uncle, she learns valuable lessons in teamwork and the joy of joining in. She also enjoys a good old fashioned kickabout.

Uncle Fred – based on real life footballer Freddie Farren who played for Bradford City in the early 1900s – takes his namesake Great-Great-Great Niece on an unforgettable adventure back in time to relive his glory days, inviting the audience to join in the fun too with chants, cheering and even a few keepie-uppies.

Ruth Cooper and Andrea Heaton, Co-Artistic Directors of Fidget Theatre, said: ‘It’s coming home! Football Freddie, our new family theatre show, will be touring our home city of Leeds this June. We can’t wait to share Freddie’s infectious love of the beautiful game with children and families as we gear up for a summer of football fever supporting the Lionesses. Come and join Freddie’s friendly team and catch us in local community venues from 5 June.’

This magical new show features playful storytelling, friendly audience participation and integrated audio description alongside original sound design and vibrant set and costumes. The production was developed with the support of Furnace, the Playhouse’s renowned artistic development programme.