Latest News

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Leeds Playhouse to celebrate 50th anniversary with audiences live at the theatre, in the community and at home

Leeds Playhouse has today announced an exciting season of productions and exhibitions to celebrate its milestone 50th anniversary as it looks forward to welcoming audiences back to the building safely in May. Leeds Playhouse was created by and for the people of Leeds, so it seems only fitting that they are now at the centre of the celebrations 50 years later. Among the highlights are: six specially-commissioned monologues by northern writers with strong […]

A person wearing clear glasses and a grey hijab smiles directly at the camera while standing against a brick wall painted grey

Self-taught Bradford artist announced as our new resident designer

Set designer and miniature model-maker Warda Abbasi has been announced as the new Resident Designer at Leeds Playhouse. This is a year-long role in partnership with Leeds-based theatre company tutti frutti, supported by the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries programme. After completing a degree in mathematics, Bradford-based Warda worked in the box office at Square Chapel […]

A picture of Cait sat in her studio. The background is very bust with art supplies

What are YOUR favourite Playhouse memories?

We’re excited to be working with illustrator Cait McEniff on our exhibition to celebrate 50 years of Leeds Playhouse and we want your help. We’d love you to share your memories of the Playhouse – shows you’ve loved, a project you took part in, or anything else. Please send a short email (just a few lines […]

A composite image of young people around the words United We Wait

Film created by young people seeking asylum and refugees at Leeds Playhouse offers a message of hope and resilience

“The world can be different. The world will be different.” Members of the Hearts youth group at Leeds Playhouse have created an honest and ultimately uplifting short film to share their experiences of leaving their home countries, settling in Britain and the recent challenges of lockdown. Hearts is a key part of Leeds Playhouse’s […]

A person stands holding a microphone in this hand. They have their eyes closed, are wearing a blue t-shirt. Music stands are in the background.

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North co-production announced as part of the BBC Lights Up season

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North’s co-production of acclaimed writer and beatboxer Testament’s ORPHEUS IN THE RECORD SHOP has been filmed for BBC Lights Up, an unprecedented season of plays for BBC TV and radio produced in partnership with theatres across the UK and continuing BBC Arts’ Culture in Quarantine initiative. Jonty Claypole, BBC Director of […]

A ghost light is positioned on the stage of an empty theatre. The theatre has a bank of seats in the background

Leeds Playhouse to offer free theatre space for locally rooted artists

Leeds Playhouse today has announced the use of free theatre space and guaranteed technical support for local artists here in the heart of the Leeds City Region. The Playhouse will offer new theatre space, the Bramall Rock Void, as exclusive use for artists and companies to help in the recovery of the cultural sector. The take over of the studio space is being offered as part of Playhouse Connect, an ongoing response to the pandemic aimed […]

A diverse group of women in a line, with various hand gestures and facial expressions of joy

Leeds Playhouse launches new season of community-focused and participatory activities as part of Playhouse Connect

Following the success of Leeds Playhouse’s award-winning Creative Engagement programme aimed at connecting with communities across the Leeds City Region, the theatre has enhanced its efforts to reach out to people who might feel an increased sense of isolation or vulnerability during the current lockdown. PLAYHOUSE CONNECT builds on work already carried out and aims […]

An image of a set model box for A Christmas Carol. the set includes an arch that says 'Fezziwigs Warehouse', under which a pretend Christmas Tree sits with the model of a man

Creating A Christmas Carol for the stage and screen

Set and costume designer Hayley Grindle explains how she’s bringing the spirit of the season to the stage. Inspiration for the set design of A Christmas Carol came via a literal ‘lightbulb moment’. When theatres were forced into lockdown in March, we left a traditional ghost light in each of our auditoriums – the Quarry, the Courtyard and […]

Two people in Victorian dress, one young wearing a baker boy hat and one old wearing a top hat, covered in Christmas sparkle

From stage to screen: Leeds Playhouse launches new streaming service – Playhouse At Home

Just as the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future try to instil in Scrooge some seasonal spirit, Leeds Playhouse remains committed to spreading much-needed festive cheer across the city and beyond this year, with ‘as live’ digital screenings of its sensational family show A CHRISTMAS CAROL. As Leeds remains in Tier 3, the Playhouse […]

Casting Call Out

Seeking UK based trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists for an upcoming musical stage project in 2021, directed by Jamie Fletcher for Leeds Playhouse. We are looking to meet trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming artists of all ethnicities, disability, age, sexual orientation or class background and encourage all applicants to apply. No formal training or […]