The Leeds Tealights celebrate 20th anniversary with one night special

Nationally acclaimed sketch group, The Leeds Tealights will rewind the years when they perform their one night only reunion show at the Riley Smith Theatre, at the University of Leeds.

The Leeds Tealights, Leeds Uni’s oldest and most-decorated sketch group, will be bringing together old and new in their reunion show.

Fresh from being crowned the victors of the Derek Award for Best Sketch Show at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe, the 20th anniversary show will feature alumni like Annie McGrath, who has appeared on The Mash Report and BBC Radio 4, and Jack Barry, featured on Catastrophe and the Russell Howard Hour, alongside their current student troupe.

The current president of the Leeds Tealights, Becky Hughes, talked about the process of planning the event, labelling it as “incredibly rewarding”. She further expanded on this stating: “We’ve been in touch with most alumni (some are hard to track down!), and we get to see where they are now, what they’re doing with their careers and how their friendships have lasted beyond The Tealights.

“A lot of them still do comedy or are part of the creative scene – it’s hopefully an exciting glimpse at our own futures!”

via Leeds Tealights

With the show being a reunion, Becky was elated to have alumni and their current members in the same room for the first time, adding: “It will be a special and exciting experience for the alumni, and we think the audience will be able to see that on stage.”

Becky explained that the current Tealights are really looking forward to meeting and performing alongside the creators of such an incredible legacy.

The sketch group have been performing around the UK, bringing laughter to places like Durham, Oxford and Manchester.

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The audience can expect a night filled to the brim with sketch comedy, stand-up and general silliness from Tealights’ past and present who guide you through their group’s 20 year history.

The Tealights are a tight-knit community, with former president Malachy O’Callaghan remembering the society as “the best part of my uni experience”.

“It’s had such a big impact on my time at uni, from joining as a fresher and meeting my first proper group of mates, to eventually becoming president and connecting with other comedians and performers from unis all over the country,” Malachy explained. “The skills, confidence, and friendships I’ve gained through Tealights have been a massive help as I’ve started working towards a career in performing.”

Malachy paid homage to the society’s welcoming community labelling the group as a “family” and “a space full of creativity, laughs and support”.

Becky talked about the distinctive experience the Tealights offers compared to other university societies saying: “It’s a unique experience being part of The Tealights; we write and rehearse together throughout the year, tour together, and then live together for a month at the Edinburgh Fringe.

“We spend a lot of time with each other, for better or for worse! However, the alumni’s lasting friendships and creative careers are testaments to the particularly special, supportive and innovative environment that is The Leeds Tealights.”

Tickets to see the reunion performance are available on the Universe website which will commence at 7pm on the 31st May.

Featured image via The Leeds Tealights