As usual, Leeds Playhouse brings us shows and events which are a little out of the ordinary. The range is enhanced even more this year with their hosting of one of the most significant festivals in the country.
We begin, however, on 13th – 16th September with a play in the Courtyard called The House With Chicken Legs. It is the tale of a young girl who lives in a pad which keeps getting up and relocating with no warning. Now that’s what you call a mobile home. When will people ever learn and have a full survey done before taking out a mortgage, they have only themselves to blame.
Meanwhile, in the Quarry on 15th September there is a show called Fredlin First Steps. It stars Fredlin Morency, the Leeds singer/songwriter, amongst other things, who will be telling his story supported by the Graft, Caution Collective and the Crib Ent ltd. Band
19th September sees Bramall Rock Void play host to Scratch, ‘a night full of theatre, comedy, music and more’. I’m just itching to see that one.
To celebrate 100 years of BBC Radio Drama, Bramall Rock Void is the venue for Stories In The Air, a BBC Audio Drama Conference and part of their Contains Strong Language Festival. It is an all-day event on both 22nd and 23rd September.
As already mentioned, spaces in Leeds Playhouse have been allocated to accommodate the Leeds International Festival of Ideas. This runs from 27th – 30th September and features Fireside Chats from Steven Bartlett, Rob Rinder, Bimini, Ruby Wax, Sir John Cunliffe & Tom Duff and Christopher Ecclestone. There are also panel discussions with experts too numerous to mention here but include Davina McCall, Matt Baker MBE, Louise Shorter, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Naga Munchety, Prue Leith and Will Young. For full details of this event please go to https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/
3rd – 7th October brings I, Daniel Blake, to the Courtyard, a play adapted from the film directed by Ken Loach, which alone, makes it well worth seeing.
5th – 7th October the Bramall Rock Void stages The Light House, a work developed with the support of Furnace, Leeds Playhouse’s artistic development engine.
One Song
11th – 22nd October, are the dates for Transform23, the festival of all things artistic. Full details can be found at https://transformfestival.org/ The Festival is held in various locations throughout the city but the Playhouse has Oh Deer! at the Courtyard 13th – 14th October and One Song at the Quarry 19th – 20th October.
12th October sees the graduating actors and actor/musicians from Leeds Conservatoire perform Romeo & Juliet at the Quarry. Things go from bard to verse on 14th October with the company’s As You Like It in the same space.
In the Bramall Rock Void from 13th – 14th October, Barber B in A Play, Of Sorts tells the story of how he created his world-renowned hair studio and training academy after teaching himself the craft. I wonder if he could fit me in for a wash and polish.
Bernadine Evaristo
Joelle Taylor
Next up in the Quarry on 16th October, is the presentation of the Forward Poetry Prize, hosted by the 2023 jury chairs Bernadine Evaristo and Joelle Taylor. There are four categories in what the Daily Telegraph calls ‘The most coveted awards in British poetry’, with shortlisted poets invited to perform on the night. My submission, There Was A Young Man Of High Wycombe, didn’t trouble the judges.
18th – 21st October sees The Beautiful Thing at the Courtyard, described as ‘A touching, urban love story, full of warmth and humour’. It is a 30th Anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic play.
20th and 21st October in Bramall Rock Void is where you will find Hamzeh, who will tell his story of the places he knows best; Syria, Jordan and Gateshead, in his show Penguin.
25th – 28th October has the Quarry, and comedian, James Acaster, taking a mighty gamble with the new show Hecklers Welcome. If the mere title is not asking for trouble then the fact that the bars will be open throughout the performance with the audience being able to come and go as they please, is surely only just short of a death wish.
2nd – 4th November sees the level of cerebral challenge ramped up with The Smeds and The Smoos – ‘A joyful tale of star-crossed aliens’, in the Courtyard. The age guidance is 3+ and the performances are at 10.30, 1.30 and 4.30 so something tells me it must be half term.
High Times and Dirty Monsters is a ‘raucous, radical, celebratory and hard-hitting hip hop gig theatre show’, told by a collective of actors, beatboxers and dancers. ‘The voice of young disabled people often goes unheard. But not anymore….’ Listen to, and watch them, at the Courtyard from 9th – 11th November
The Leeds Playhouse Christmas Show is always spectacular and this year’s promises not to let the standard drop. From 27th November – 27th January, the Quarry presents Oliver! the musical by Lionel Bart. We all know the story of Oliver Twist, and the banging songs, so it should be well worth seeing. I advise you to get your tickets asap as, if you need to ask for more, you might be disappointed. Consider yourself warned.
For the younger audience’s yuletide delight there is Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile – The Musical, in the Courtyard from 2nd December – 6th January. This takes the old notion that Christmas is for kids to a whole new level, as the eponymous ‘hero?’ stalks the jungle looking for young un’s to sate his appetite. Sleep well, children.
Continuing the upbeat spirit of the season, the final show of the year, which is in Bramall Rock Void from 12th – 16th December, is Santa Must Die! A raucous gig theatre show about it being really sh*t when you have to work over the Festive Season. Ho, Ho, Bloody Ho!
For more details of the shows, and to book tickets, please go to https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/ Some of the entries also have trailers and other goodies.
May I be the first to wish you a very Merry August Bank Holiday!!!
Tyke It To The Limit 