David Shrigley cooks up a storm at the Howard Assembly Room

The knives will be out at Opera North this December as the perfect adult antidote to the traditional Christmas panto comes to the Howard Assembly Room. Featuring the unmistakeable humour of visual artist David Shrigley, Pass the Spoon is a ‘sort-of-opera’ set on a daytime cookery show where the banana is highly-strung, the egg is on a downer, the vegetables are destined for the pot – and appetite knows no bounds.

Hosts June Spoon and Phillip Fork invite everyone to join them as they prepare a meal for the monstrous Mr Granules, whose demands are as eye-watering as his appearance. Shrigley’s surreal comedy is perfectly matched by the wit of David Fennessy’s score, sharp as the implements wielded by the dedicated, yet slightly unhinged, butcher. With both spoken and sung words, puppetry, memorable music and even a dung beetle, this is a show with decidedly adult ingredients.

David Shrigley, who is responsible for both the text and costume design, said: 

“I’m happy that Pass the Spoon is being staged again. The thing about doing something you’re unfamiliar with is that you learn an awful lot – and I did learn a lot. It was great to see the production come to life and I’m proud of it and the way it looks. It’s a project I have a lot of affection for and the fact it’s being put on in Leeds is a gift for me.”

Directed by Nicholas Bone, another member of the original creative team from the show’s first outing in 2011, this production sees chef (and Opera North Music Director) Garry Walker conducting a cast including Amy J Payne as June Spoon and Xavier Hetherington as her sidekick Phillip. Frazer Scott, who recently appeared in The Big Opera Mystery, will once again be taking on a number of roles including Mr Egg and Dung Beetle, while Mark Nathan is Banana, Ben Yorke-Griffiths is Mr Granules and Peter Van Hulle is Butcher.

Garry Walker commented:

“At just over an hour, this is the perfect chance to take time out from all the hectic Christmas preparations, kick back and enjoy the craziest show you’re likely to see this side of 2026. It’s written by two outstanding, original thinkers of the British cultural scene and is a piece that’s great fun for both performers and audience members alike.”

Pass the Spoon plays at Howard Assembly Room on 12 December. Tickets are available here.