Punchdrunk Enrichment announce cast for Fireside Tales

Image: Punchdrunk Enrichment

Punchdrunk Enrichment have announced the cast for the world premiere of their new show, Fireside Tales. An enchanting interactive adventure for children aged 7-11 and their grown-ups, running at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park, Brent, from 6th December 2025 to 4 January 2026.

The cast announced today (who will rotate two roles in the production) are Siddiqua Akhtar (A Good Girl's Guide to Murder, BBC/Netflix; Tartuffe, Birmingham Rep), Rebecca Clark (who has performed recently with Frantic Assembly and Complicité),  Amari Harris (who has collaborated with venues including the Old Vic and Half Moon Theatre in his work as a storyteller and drama facilitator) and Alex Stedman (The Lost Lending Library, Punchdrunk Enrichment; Murder On The Orient Express, UK & Ireland Tour).

Photos: Rebecca Clark, Siddiqua Akthar, Alex Steadman (Yellowbelly Photo), Amari Harris (Suzi Corker)

For thousands of years, people have gathered around fires to share stories. But this tradition is fading, and many are at risk of being lost. Now, a new story has arrived: faint as an ember, not yet ready to be told. It needs help to stay alive. Without care, the fire might fade, be forgotten or take on a dangerous new form.

Fireside Tales is a show about the stories we tell, the ones we pass down, the ones we forget and what happens when we take the time to listen. Audiences are invited to step into a magical world where stories flicker like flames and imagination keeps them burning bright. Developed with schools, Fireside Tales encourages young audiences to draw, write and share their own stories.

The show is written and directed by incoming Artistic Director of Punchdrunk Enrichment Steve McCourt, with additional material devised by the company. The creative team also includes design by Mydd Pharo, costume design by Melissa Simon-Hartman, lighting design by Sarah Readman and sound design by Dominic Kennedy.

Additional early evening performances at 7.30pm (for grown-ups only) and extra weekend performances are now on sale due to popular demand, with tickets available via the Punchdrink Enrichment website.

Video: Punchdrunk Enrichment

Ahead of Fireside Tales opening, from 16th to 18th October, outgoing Artistic Director and CEO of Punchdrunk Enrichment, Peter Higgin, will embark on an epic 100-mile charity run from the Isle of Wight to Wembley Park over 3 days in a remarkable effort to raise £25,000 for Punchdrunk Enrichment.

The money will help Punchdrunk Enrichment reach more children and families, particularly those with limited access to arts and cultural experiences. Funds raised through the Founder to Future Challenge will support their core work: keeping ticket prices affordable, offering schools highly subsidised creative learning projects, and developing bold, imaginative experiences that place children at the heart of the story. For more details, see here.

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Fireside Tales will run at Punchdrunk Enrichment Stores in Wembley Park from 6th December 2025 to 4th January 2026. Tickets are priced from £15, and can be booked via punchdrunkenrichment.org