Lumo partners with drag star Patti Boo Rae for festive travel campaign
Lumo has teamed up with drag performer Patti Boo Rae and Newcastle’s Alphabetti Theatre to help passengers enjoy a smoother and more festive experience when travelling this Christmas. The open access operator, known for its electric East Coast services between the North East and London, has released a seasonal travel video featuring Patti Boo Rae in a bespoke Lumo uniform — complete with travel tips for those heading home or away during the holidays.
The collaboration builds on Lumo’s existing support for Alphabetti Theatre, a well-regarded fringe venue in Newcastle. Patti Boo Rae, who starred in last year’s hit show ‘Little Miss Christmas’, is taking the production to London for a run at Southwark Playhouse Borough from 10 December 2025 to 3 January 2026. Lumo says it hopes the partnership will highlight the North East’s creative talents to a wider audience while helping customers travel confidently throughout the festive season.
Expanding services will also play a key role this winter. The operator plans to introduce a later evening return service from London to Newcastle, making day trips and theatre visits more convenient, along with an additional early morning departure southbound. December will also see its Glasgow extension go live, strengthening cross-border links and opening up more choice for travellers heading to and from Scotland.
In the newly released video, Patti Boo Rae reminds passengers about luggage allowances — one small bag or holdall and one medium suitcase — and showcases special festive treats available onboard, including Christmas pudding popcorn and chocolate reindeer.
Jen Clare, Service Delivery Director at Lumo, said:
“Supporting our thriving arts and culture scene in the communities we serve is a key part of what we do at Lumo. I’m especially delighted that we’ve partnered with the Alphabetti and Patti to create fun and engaging content that offers some valuable advice for our customers, whilst also offering up extra festive cheer this December!”
Patti Boo Rae said:
“Like any true cowgirl, I’m most at home on the road - or, in this case, on the rails! That’s why I’m thrilled to have Lumo’s support in carrying my show Little Miss Christmas down the line to London this season. I feel very proud to call myself an adopted Geordie, and I hope that with help from Lumo and Alphabetti Theatre, I can give London audiences a glimpse of Newcastle’s glittering cultural scene this Christmas. Happy holidays!”
Ed Cole, Artistic Director at Alphabetti Theatre, added:
“We are so excited to be working with Lumo for Patti Boo Rae presents Little Miss Christmas, the first Alphabetti co-production to ever transfer to London. Lumo’s commitment to art and culture in the North East alongside their allyship with LGBTQIA+ make them the perfect partner to support this show, and they are ideally placed to safely transport our brilliant production team – wigs, glitter and all – from Newcastle down to London’s Southwark Playhouse this Christmas.”
Image: Lumo