An inseparable mum and daughter working together in local theatre for almost 30 years have given a peek behind the curtain of a beloved Leeds venue celebrating a major milestone.

Kath Harrison and her daughter Helen Shippin are integral parts of the hard-working costume and backstage team at The Carriageworks, which this year marks its 20th anniversary at the heart of the Leeds local performing arts scene.

With the venue’s official celebrations taking place this month, the irrepressible pair has been looking back on years of managing endless quick changes, wardrobe malfunctions, and last-minute job swaps behind closed doors.

The family’s love affair with theatre began 29 years ago when Helen, then just 14 years old, landed her debut dancing role in a festive production at the old Leeds Civic Theatre.

Mum Kath followed her into the business a year later, taking up the vital post of wardrobe supervisor. The two both moved to The Carriageworks when it opened in 2005 and have been working side by side on the theatre’s panto ever since.

During that time, Kath has spent each year ensuring the entire cast’s costumes are washed, ironed, repaired and laid out for every show during the annual seasonal run. On an average year, that means polishing 200 pairs of shoes and ironing around 4,000 items of clothing.

During shows, Kath and Helen collaborate to handle a swift succession of costume changes and emergency repairs, often relying on Kath's reliable sewing box for assistance.

Kath, 76, said, “It’s like a military operation, and the key is to be organised at all times. People will often come off stage between scenes with ripped trousers or a button that’s popped, and I’ll have to quickly do the repairs so their pants aren’t showing to the audience.

“The real challenge though is the panto dames; they can have 10 quick changes a show, and the costumes are quite something. Last year we had to change the dame out of a leotard covered in pots and pans and into a giant cupcake. Our record is 16 seconds for a full change, and we’ve never missed one yet.”

Helen occupies a similarly hectic role in the Carriageworks team. In addition to collaborating with her mother on the panto costumes, Helen also provides assistance behind the bar, at the front of house, and handles any unexpected crises that require a calm and experienced approach.

Helen, 42, said, “Basically, if something goes wrong or breaks down, I’m the one they call. I’ve had to stand in and operate one of the puppets in Snow White before, and one year I worked the stage lights for a show at the last minute because the technician’s wife went into labour right before the curtain went up.

“Every year it’s hectic and stressful, and I never get to see a show from the front, but working in theatre is what I’ve wanted to do since I was a little girl, so I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”

For Kath and Helen, year after year, the theatre is also a place full of friends, laughter, and memories.

Kath said, “I’ve always said to myself that I’ll keep doing this as long as I still enjoy it, and I still do. We’re all the same – if you didn’t love it, you wouldn’t do it, because it’s just too crazy otherwise.”

Helen added, “I’ve got friends here who I’ve been working with for more than 20 years, and we all keep coming back. I’m already here with my mum, but it’s like we’re all part of one family, really.”