Stolen touring van leaves York-based company ‘devastated’

The theft followed the launch of the touring show Night Falls at Salford’s the Lowry and came ahead of a planned performance in Bradford Cathedral today (11th March). 

The cast and crew immediately returned to their base at Friargate Theatre in York to rebuild the production, sourcing replacement technical equipment, assembling an alternative set and sourcing replacement costumes. 

"Months of work disappeared overnight," Brown said at the time, "but we are determined to pick ourselves up and carry on".

He added: "We are already working hard to rebuild the production so we can get back on the road. Our next performance is in Bradford, and we are moving mountains to make it happen.”

Yesterday afternoon (10th March), Riding Lights confirmed that all the shows scheduled for the Night Falls tour would go ahead as planned. 

Brown told The Stage that the company was working with West Yorkshire Police, but the force’s automatic number plate recognition search yielded no results.

West Yorkshire Police are appealing for information and footage "following the theft of a Mercedes van from an offence in Armley", which they confirmed contained "equipment used in theatre productions".

"Enquiries are ongoing by Leeds Police following the theft of the Mercedes Sprinter van from outside an address on Conference Place during the evening of Monday 9th March," a spokesperson told The Stage.