Well, here we are then. The first full season of events at the extensively refurbished Leeds Playhouse, and what a season it promises to be.
There are several co-productions in the Spring/Summer programme to enable the best talent in the country to be utilised.
On pole position is Night of the Living Dead – Remix which is a shot for shot recreation of the iconic zombie film to be staged in the Courtyard Theatre by seven actors using whatever they can find in a box of props and on a rail of costumes. This is a Leeds Playhouse and imitating the dog co-production beginning its run on 24th January, 2020 and continuing until 15th February. Meanwhile in Bramall Rock Void is Dr Korczak’s Example which starts on 25th January, 2020 and again finishes on 15th February. It is the true story of Dr Janusz Korczac, a Polish educator and children’s author set in the Warsaw Ghetto in 1942. The director and Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director, James Brining, has worked on this play before and is excited to be able to bring it to the Leeds audience, especially as it is scheduled to open on Holocaust Memorial Day.
There are far too many events and productions to list separately but some of the highlights include a new adaptation of Oliver Twist written by Bryony Lavery and directed by Amy Leach. To emphasise Leeds Playhouse’s dedication to provide theatre for all it will be performed by a company of D/deaf, disabled and non-disabled actors. All performances will have integrated, creative BSL, captioning and audio description. This is a co-production with Ramps on the Moon and runs from 28th February until 21st March in The Quarry Theatre.
In March we have Smile Club presented by Red Ladder Theatre Company, a one-woman show set in a dystopian world where government set out to tame unruly women. Good luck with that mate, it would be easier to juggle soot!
Say Yes To Tess is a Yorkshire musical which plays from 26th March to 4th April before setting off on a national tour.
There is a family friendly show in The Not So Ugly Sisters which is a musical take on Cinderella, again in association with Red Ladder.
Other musical shows include Piaf and A Little Night Music along with an adaptation of the hit film Monsoon Wedding.
What with blockbuster musicals, social commentary, comedy, family shows and zombies, it seems that they have all bases covered at the Leeds Playhouse for Spring/Summer 2020. I also love their optimism by implying that spring will begin on 24th January next year.
For full details of productions, workshops and other activities too numerous to mention please go to https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/
I am sure that there will be several things which you will want to see. I can’t wait.
I must make a mental note not to overindulge in the Christmas calories or I will never be able to squeeze into my polo shirt and chinos when the good weather arrives at the end of January.
All images provided by Leeds Playhouse
Tyke It To The Limit 