Leeds Playhouse finally reopens its doors with a piece specially commissioned from Northern writers to celebrate the theatre’s 50th anniversary.
Audiences have been enjoying the live performances in the Courtyard Theatre from and the performance can be streamed online through Playhouse: At Home until 5 June.
Decades: Stories From The City has been created by writers Simon Armitage, Leanna Benjamin, Kamal Kaan, Alice Nutter, Maxine Peake and Stan Owens. Each writer has been inspired by a different decade, spanning the 1970s – 2020s and have created a companion set of short plays (see our review here).
A treat for all of the family is touring community venues across Leeds. “Fairy Poppins and the Naughty Winter Ghost” is a show written by Robert Alan Evans and follows a trio of rambunctious travelling tumblers with a tale to tell.
You can also catch it on Wednesday 2 June at The Bridge, Holbeck Community Centre and on Wednesday 23 June at Hamara Healthy Living Centre, Beeston and tickets are only £3!
From 2-5 June “The Not So Ugly Sisters” arrives – a brand new musical re-telling the Cinderella story from the perspective of the “Not So” Ugly Sisters. The age guidance for this performance is 5+.
“The Damned United” will be performed on 10 & 11 July. The play is adapted from the acclaimed novel by David Peace. It follows Brian Clough as he attempts to redeem his managerial career and reputation by winning the European Cup with his new team Leeds United. Unfortunately there is not much love lost between them.
26 June – 17 July “A Little Night Music” is a collaboration between Leeds Playhouse and Opera North. Stephen Sondheim’s tale mixes musical theatre and opera and includes the classic song “Send in the Clowns”.
Looking further ahead, the Playhouse has announced that its Chritmas family show will be “Wendy & Peter Pan”. This retelling of the famous story will run from 18 November to 22 January 2022 and tickets are on sale now.
To keep people safe the Playhouse are:
- Limiting contact wherever possible
- Installing hand sanitiser points for you to use around the building
- Reducing capacity and installing signage to help you maintain social distancing
- Implementing socially distanced seating at 1m+
- Carrying out enhanced cleaning between performances
- Maintaining ventilation in the auditorium (It may be a little cooler than usual!)
During your visit:
- Contactless temperature checks will be carried out at the point of arrival
- Please wear a face covering whilst in the building including at your seat, unless eating or drinking. This is in accordance with theatre guidelines
- A one-way system will be in place, please follow via signage
- Please arrive on time, latecomers will not be admitted
- If you have any symptoms of coronavirus or a high temperature on the day of the show please do not attend and contact us within 24 hours to arrange a credit or refund
You can find more information here: leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on
Free tickets for theatre shows
In the coming weeks we hope to be able to reopen our scheme to offer readers two tickets for performances at Leeds Playhouse and other productions.
All we ask in return is a 500 word review of the production within 48 hours of seeing the performance. If you need any help in putting together a review we can give you that.
Please let us know if you would like to see any of the upcoming shows and we will try and arrange you tickets.
We can currently offer you two tickets for each of these performances:
Saturday 6 June, 6pm at The Holbeck, Leeds
“A Dog’s Tale” a musical comedy looking at dogs past and present and the love between people and their canines. You’d be barking to miss it!
and
Wednesday 9 June, 6pm at The Piece Hall, Halifax
“Atlanta Forever – The Fight for Women’s Football” based on the true story of one of post-war Britain’s three women’s football clubs. The Atlanta Ladies Football Club was formed in 1920 to ‘to provide games for the women of Huddersfield, to foster a sporting spirit, and a love of honour among its members.’ The play follows amateurs Ethel and Annie as they take a shot at the big time.
Tickets are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Please email info@southleedslife.com.
