After a critically acclaimed spring tour, Northern Rascals are back on the road this autumn with further dates for their emotional, thought-provoking production Sunny Side. This bold Yorkshire-based company, renowned for its fearless blend of dance, theatre, and spoken word, will take audiences in Barnsley, Salford, Bath, and Bradford on a journey through the modern male experience – unflinching, urgent, and deeply human.
A Show with a Mission
Touring in partnership with Andy’s Man Club, the men’s suicide prevention charity, Sunny Side is far more than a performance – it’s a call to action. With the mental health crisis among young people continuing to dominate headlines, Northern Rascals are determined to shine a light on the often-unspoken realities that shape lives across the UK.
Co-Artistic Director Anna Holmes explains:
“Sunny Side is a response to our personal, and the collective experiences of local young people who have grown up in the Calder Valley and in similar areas across the North. Over a period of 4 years, we’ve worked with over 1,420 young people to question what home means and how our fostering environment impacts the future that seems available to us.
What became clear is that our young people are anxious, trapped, and overwhelmed by an ever-changing world. Sunny Side prompts conversations on vital topics – from why suicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, particularly young men, to how even in a progressive Yorkshire town, these struggles can feel magnified. We may not have all the answers, but we can provoke the questions.”
The Story at the Heart of Sunny Side
The production centres around K, a young man navigating the turbulence of adolescence while struggling to find his place in a world still reeling from disruption. Set in the Calder Valley, K’s once-familiar surroundings now feel alien. Without the emotional support he needs, he journeys through his past, present, and imagined future to try to reconnect – both with himself and with the people around him.
The result is a raw, moving, and multidisciplinary performance that draws directly from the lived experiences of young people aged 14–30. Over four years, Northern Rascals gathered these testimonies, shaping them into a piece that is both authentic and universally resonant.
Why It Matters
Statistics show that suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK – with young men particularly at risk. Northern Rascals’ work doesn’t just reflect these sobering facts; it invites audiences to face them, talk about them, and break the silence. By combining movement, storytelling, and spoken word, Sunny Side creates an emotionally charged space where those conversations can begin.
More Than a Performance
By taking Sunny Side to communities across the UK, Northern Rascals continue their commitment to socially impactful theatre – work that doesn’t just entertain, but connects, challenges, and inspires.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, charities like Andy’s Man Club offer free, confidential support. Visit andysmanclub.co.uk for more information.
12th September
Barnsley Civic, Eldon Street, Barnsley S70 2JL
https://barnsleycivic.co.uk/event/sunny-side/
30th September
New Adelphi, University Road, Salford M5 4BR
https://www.newadelphitheatre.co.uk/whats-on/
2nd October
Bath Spa University, Newton Street Loe, Bath BA2 9BN
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/bathspalive/sunny-side/2025-10
02/19:30/t-vvlmvmx
12th November
Kala Sangham/Bradford Arts Centre, Bank House, 41 Bank Street,
Bradford BD1 1RD
https://bdartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/events/northern-rascals
sunnyside/
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