Who we are
Leeds Playhouse aims to be a hub for the best new theatre productions in the UK. We make work which is pioneering, relevant and inspirational for audiences in the heart of Yorkshire and beyond.
We seek out, support, develop and produce theatre at all scales – from a debut play by a local writer to a large-scale musical for international touring.
Programme development activity is anything we do to support the evolution of new work that will be part of our programme. These ideas are often generated by one of our in-house directors and the aim of our programme development is as follows:
- To create space for our lead artists to experiment and play.
- To ensure that our main stage productions are created with rigour, ensuring artistic excellence in all of our work.
- To allow us to plan our programme more confidently and much further in advance.
- To allow us to be front-footed in our approaches to possible co-producers, and to continue to build our reputation as a producer of the highest quality theatre.
- To create a wide range of varied work that serves the diverse audiences of West Yorkshire.
A dedicated collaborator, we work with distinctive, original voices from across the UK. Our Artistic Development programme, Furnace, works with new and established theatre-makers, providing a creative space to refine their practice at all stages of their careers.
Our sector-leading Creative Engagement team works with over 12,000 people every year, building, running and sustaining projects that reach out to everyone from refugee communities to young people and students, older people and people with learning disabilities. At the Playhouse, there is always a way to join in.
Whilst incredibly serious about what we do at the Playhouse, we provide a relatively informal, plus warm and friendly environment. Our warm welcome was recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards, where we were named the Most Welcoming Theatre 2022.
As a registered charity, Leeds Playhouse relies on the support of valued partners to make great things happen. We are grateful for the continued support of Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation and the many charitable trusts, business partners and individuals that continue to support the vital work of the theatre.
Our Vision, Mission and Manifesto
We will be a vital theatre, a great artistic beacon for the North, rooted in our communities and creating exceptional art.
Our mission is to create world class, relevant and compelling theatre and to transform people’s lives by the power and vitality of our work. We aim to have a company, an artistic programme and an audience that reflect the diversity of the society in which we live.
We all tell stories. Telling stories is part of being human, how we describe the world as it is and how we would like it to be. How we change things. Make difference. We love theatre because it creates a space where we make and listen to our stories; they become real, enabling us to have a conversation with ourselves, to reflect on and transform our view of the world and each other.
