It is not as if we needed an excuse to go to the magnificent Leeds Grand Theatre, apart from the programme of events, but this September sees its reopening following a makeover, and I can’t wait to see how the place has changed.
The re-opening date is 5th September with a series of one night stands, beginning with Mo Gilligan. Sarah Millican follows him on 6th and 7th with her Late Bloomer tour.
After the comedians come the singers. Marc Almond returns to the city where he went to school and found fame with Soft Cell on 8th. The 10th sees Fastlove: The Tribute To George Michael.
The week continues with the brilliant Ellie Brooks on her Long Farewell Tour on 11th; Katherine Ryan: Battleaxe on 12th; An Evening With Richard Carpenter, 13th and Johns’ Boys Male Voice Choir on 14th, after which the one-nighters conclude with Adam Kay: Undoctored on 15th September. Hopefully he will be there in person rather than triage the audience and decide to do it over the phone.
October is taken up with Opera North productions, details of which I have already posted, then on 3rd November, Russell Kane: Hyperactive makes an appearance.
The first post spruce up musical runs from 5th to 9th November and is the Olivier, Tony and Grammy Award winning Dear Evan Hansen, the cautionary tale of a high school kid who embroiders the truth in order to fit in.
Back to one-offs from Rhod Gilbert & The Giant Grapefruit on 10th; Everybody Dance, starring Claire Richards, on 11th; Ed Gamble: Hot Diggity Dog on 12th and Champagne for Lulu on 13th. My mate from school was madly in love with Lulu when all three of us were 15 and we saw her one Sunday morning in a coffee bar in the Merrion Centre. Fortunately he is only about Lulu’s size so I could pick him up from the floor quite easily after he had swooned.
Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny is on 16th November, then, from 18th to 30th, it is another blockbuster musical, which has been picking up awards and five-star reviews like litter the day after Glastonbury, & Juliet. It retells the story of Juliet who, rather than meet her demise, is given a second chance at love after Romeo.
December begins on 1st – no change there then – with Rob Beckett: Giraffe, before an old favourite returns to the Grand in Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers. This is a brilliant tale of identical twin brothers who are separated at birth and grow up under different circumstances, hence comparing nature with nurture. I have seen this a couple of times and it is a cracker.
Midge Ure is on 8th December, followed by Simon Reeve:To The Ends Of The Earth on 9th and Lucy Beaumont Live on 12th.
The year ends with Northern Ballet’s A Christmas Carol, running from 17th December, 2024 until 4th January, 2025.
So, there you have it, a varied menu of music, comedy, dance and experts. Time for sherry and Christmas cake.
For full details of the events at Leeds Grand Theatre please go to https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/?theatre=leeds-grand-theatre where you can also book
All images from Leeds Heritage Theatres
Tyke It To The Limit 