Actor and author to appear in Ripon for an intimate evening of conversation, with all profits supporting accessible theatre and live performance across the city.
Acclaimed actor Hugh Bonneville is coming to Ripon for a very special fundraising evening in support of Ripon Theatre Festival.
The Downton Abbey and Paddington star will appear at Holy Trinity on Saturday 21 November at 7pm, for an evening exploring his celebrated career on screen, his life in theatre, and passion for acting.
All profits from the event will go directly to Ripon Theatre Festival, helping the volunteer-led charity continue bringing high-quality, affordable and accessible theatre and live performance to people across the city.
Hugh Bonneville is one of Britain’s most recognisable actors, known internationally for playing Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham, in Downton Abbey, as well as Mr Brown in the hugely successful Paddington films. His career spans theatre, television and film, and he is a longstanding supporter of organisations encouraging access to theatre and the arts.
Hugh will be interviewed on stage by former BBC Radio York presenter Anna Wallace, in what promises to be a warm and entertaining conversation spanning his career.
Ripon is the closest real cathedral city to the fictional estate of Downton Abbey, serving as a frequent plot reference and actual filming location in the franchise. The Royal Ascot scenes in Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale were partly filmed at Ripon Racecourse.
The show’s creator, Julian Fellowes, spent a significant part of his youth in North Yorkshire while attending Ampleforth College. His teenage years near Ripon, alongside neighbouring market towns like Thirsk and Malton, left him with a lifelong affection for the area. Fellowes initially considered shooting the series around the Ripon area before choosing Highclere Castle in Hampshire.
Newby Hall in Ripon was the seat for the real Lord Grantham, an amateur architect who designed the cell block that now houses the Ripon Prison and Police Museum. The third Baron Grantham, later Earl de Grey, was uncle of the Marquess of Ripon.
Bonneville will also talk about another role – bestselling children’s author.
The evening will also include a signing of Hugh’s new children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, hosted by The Little Ripon Bookshop, offering audiences the chance to pick up a signed copy in time for Christmas.
Published by Bloomsbury in October, the book is the second instalment in Hugh’s Rory Sparkes series and follows the young storyteller as he becomes caught up in a mystery involving secret messages, spies and a rather suspicious amount of tea.
Illustrated by Loretta Schauer, the book combines mystery, mischief and humour and is aimed at readers aged seven to 11.
Hugh Bonneville said: “Theatre and live performance have played such an important part in my life and career, so I’m delighted to be supporting Ripon Theatre Festival and the work it does to bring the arts to audiences across the city.
“Festivals like this can make a real difference, not only by creating opportunities for artists but by taking performance out into the community and making sure as many people as possible can experience it. I’m very much looking forward to coming to Ripon, talking about my life in theatre and beyond, and meeting audiences there.”
The event represents a major fundraising opportunity for Ripon Theatre Festival, a small independent festival with an ambitious mission to bring professional theatre and live performance into the heart of its community.
Run by a small team of volunteers, the festival works with local supporters, funders and partners to create a cultural programme for a rural city where opportunities to experience professional live performance can otherwise be limited.
Its work goes far beyond traditional theatre venues. Alongside ticketed performances, the festival provides free outdoor and street theatre, works with schools and young people, and takes creative activity directly into community settings.
Its 2026 programme included professional theatre, opera, dance, comedy, family performances, workshops and extensive free activity in public spaces. The festival also runs outreach initiatives designed to reach people who might otherwise face barriers to participating in the arts.
Funds raised through Hugh Bonneville’s appearance will help the charity keep ticket prices affordable, continue free performances, support emerging artists and extend its work into community settings across Ripon.
Katie Scott, Director of Ripon Theatre Festival, said: “Having Hugh Bonneville support Ripon Theatre Festival in this way is incredibly special for us. We are a small, volunteer-led organisation with big ambitions for what arts and culture can do for our city.
“Every year we work hard to bring exceptional artists and performances to Ripon, while ensuring that cost, age or circumstance do not prevent people from taking part. An evening like this will not only raise vital funds but introduce our work to new audiences and supporters and give the festival an enormous vote of confidence.
“We are hugely grateful to Hugh and cannot wait to welcome him to Ripon.”
Event sponsor Hethertons Solicitors is one of North Yorkshire’s leading law firms, providing trusted legal advice to individuals, families and businesses for more than 75 years. Hethertons is proud to play an active role in the communities it serves, supporting grassroots sport, local charities and cultural events
The event is made possible for Ripon Theatre Festival by Cause & Effect PR.
An Evening with Hugh Bonneville, Saturday 21 November 2026, 7pm, Holy Trinity, Ripon, followed by a signing of Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, hosted by Ripon Bookshop.
Book online: https://tinyurl.com/Hugh-Bonneville-Ripon-tickets
ENDS
Notes to editors
About Ripon Theatre Festival
Ripon Theatre Festival is the principal project of registered charity The Ripon City Festival Trust (charity number 514981). It is run by a small team of volunteers working with funders, venues, artists and community partners to bring theatre, performance and cultural activity to communities across Ripon.
The Festival combines professional ticketed performances with free outdoor theatre, street performance, community activity, schools work and outreach. Its work is focused on making high-quality arts experiences accessible to people across the city.
The Festival’s 2026 programme included work with schools from KS1 to KS4, professional opera from Opera North, activity for specialist schools and free family theatre. Its wider Reach Out! programme has also worked with community organisations and groups including Dementia Forward.
About Hugh Bonneville
Hugh Bonneville is an award-winning British actor whose extensive theatre, film and television career includes Downton Abbey, Paddington, Iris and numerous stage productions.
He is a patron of organisations including the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, Scene & Heard and The Primary Shakespeare Company. His second children’s book, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, is published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books on 8 October 2026.