The Red Shed Players are a theatre group inspired by the Clarion Movement and the slogan “fellowship is all”. Based at Wakefield Labour Club (The Red Shed), the Players have performed satirical songs and sketches and jokes old an new for more than 25 years. Initially presenting May Day celebrations, then developing the Anarcho-syndicalist Pantomime and Red Shed Television, the players have set out to irritate and annoy all people in power at all levels in the pursuit of fairer world and a good night out. Whilst putting the ‘party’ in the Labour Party is still very much part of our mission we have branched into approaching serious issues in a serious way. “They Walked on Water”, based on Dave Hinchliffe’s book about the 1968 RL Challenge Cup Final dealt with how sport works on people as well as depression and responsibility. It played in a range of theatre and non-theatre venues and raised thousands for the RL Benevolent Fund. “Peterloo- the past lives in the present”, is a history lesson followed by an exploration of the themes in a modern Cafe. Audience comments include “Funny and thought- provoking”, “This should be performed in every school in the country” . ‘Peterloo’ is currently touring and raising money for Foodbanks. The show will finish touring at the end of February 2019. Our next production “SICK” is about how our benefit system treats people with disabilities. The play was inspired by the people we met at St Catherine’s Foodbank, Kirlees Law Centre and Frances Ryan’s book “Crippled”. You can follow the development of “SICK” on this website.