Leeds Playhouse has announced four fantastic new productions as part of its Spring/Summer 24 season with an eclectic mix of returning hits, reimagined classics, family favourites and beloved stories.

Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse James Brining said: “Spring feels like a great time for us to come together for some fresh, new theatrical adventures. Our theatre is the perfect space for people to meet and explore – to enjoy new productions, but also to tap into their own creativity, to make new connections and, if the world feels a bit frantic, to simply relax, have a cuppa and take some time for themselves.”

Leeds Playhouse and imitating the dog are reuniting to co-produce a thrilling and moving new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s iconic Gothic tale, Frankenstein, premiering at the Playhouse from 15 February ahead of a UK tour. This new multimedia exploration of the classic novel is a psychological thriller which dares to ask the question – what is it to be human?

Created by imitating the dog’s co-artistic directors Pete Brooks, Andrew Quick and Simon Wainwright, this is the latest adaptation in a series of dark tales imitating the dog and Leeds Playhouse have successfully reimagined. Previous hits include the highly acclaimed unique shot-for-shot stage recreation of George A. Romero’s classic 1968 zombie Night of The Living Dead™  – Remix and the award-winning adaptation Dracula – The Untold Story.

Andrew Quick, Co-Director and Artistic Director of imitating the dog, said: “Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein in her early 20s and her extraordinary novel has continued to have an impact on readers since it was first published in 1818. Often described as the first piece of science fiction, her words and story have shaped storytelling in the 19^th and 20^th centuries, providing source material for films, novels, poems and art. Having already adapted Heart of Darkness (2018) and Dracula (2020), we feel ready to take on this complex and moving tale, one which explores the consequences of refusing love, of playing at being God, of not taking responsibility. 

“It’s wonderful to be collaborating with Leeds Playhouse again and we are seeing this adaption as an opportunity to return to our creative roots as a company. It will have all the hallmarks of an ITD show but we are renewing our interest in the physical and the visual that played out in our earlier work.  Our focus is to create something truly magical, that is both moving and disturbing. It will be Frankenstein, but perhaps not as you know it.”

Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse James Brining said:

“Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a radical novel that has entered the popular consciousness and continues to push boundaries 200 years after it was first created. “We are keen to explore classic canonical texts from a contemporary perspective, reshaping and refashioning them for modern audiences. Co-producing with imitating the dog gives us the opportunity to do that – and more. They are a company at the forefront of using fresh perspectives and innovative technology to create dazzling, challenging theatre. When our teams join forces, the results are truly magical.

In March, the Playhouse will restage Director Amy Leach’s Macbeth. Premiered in 2022, this critically acclaimed production was a soaring success with over 5,000 students experiencing Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy in the Quarry theatre. The production will feature a diverse cast of multi-talented performers to tell the story of the ambitious northern warrior, Macbeth, who does whatever it takes to gain power and, ultimately, the throne. All performances will feature creatively integrated audio description.

Director and Deputy Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse Amy Leach said: “I cannot tell you what a joy it is to be restaging this production and this incredible story. Shakespeare was such a powerful storyteller and Macbeth is a really visceral story that lends itself so well to being in our Quarry theatre. It was incredible to have the theatre filled with thousands of young people in 2022 who were willing to come on that journey with us to tell the tale of Macbeth. It remains a story that continues to resonate with us now as much as it did when it was originally written. The production will once again have that all-encompassing set and costume design created by designer Hayley Grindle and the layers of access integration.”

Families are at the heart of the theatre experience at Leeds Playhouse and with two family shows on offer for Spring/Summer 24 this bumper pack of theatrical delights will have the kids belly laughing in their seats and their imaginations running wild. The theatre has a range of child-friendly facilities, including a free creative play area, baby change and family toilets, highchairs and special catering options.

Zog and the Flying Doctors returns to the Courtyard stage following its world premiere at the Playhouse in 2022. This roar-some show, brought to the stage by Freckle Productions and Rose Theatre, has Zog as a super keen student turned air-ambulance landing at the Playhouse with a crash-bang-thump. Zog and the Flying Doctors follows the smash-hit adaptation of Zog and is once again adapted and directed by Emma Kilbey with music and lyrics by Joe Stilgoe.

Tom Fletcher’s There’s a Monster in Your Show is leaping from page to stage in a brand-new musical show from the best-selling Who’s in Your Book? series created by the multi-talented McFly musician. It is playing at the Playhouse as part of a major UK tour. Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show packed with interactive moments to enjoy together. A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.

Tom Fletcher said: “I’m so excited to see There’s a Monster In Your Book come to life on stage! The whole journey is incredibly exciting and I can’t wait to get to rehearsals to meet the puppets. Theatre is such an important way to introduce children to the arts and There’s a Monster In Your Show is the perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families. I’m so looking forward to seeing their reactions first-hand.”

All tickets are on sale to Leeds Playhouse’s Priority Access, Playhouse Pass Members and Under 30 Scheme from 12.30pm 3 Oct, with tickets on general sale from 12.30pm 10 Oct.