After a quiet summer, it is all systems go for the end of the year. Again, there is the mixture of classics, innovative new productions, one-nighters and, of course, the Christmas Spectacular. So why don’t I just get on with it then.
We begin, from 3rd-7th September in the Quarry, with Cluedo 2 which, I am reliably informed, has not been timed to coincide with Leeds City Centre being turned into a giant Monopoly board. It is a sequel to Cluedo, I’m pretty good at this detective lark, written by Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks and Directed by Mark Bell. It stars Jason Burr as Colonel Mustard with Strictly Come Dancing Champion, Ellie Leach, as Miss Scarlett. Although a murder mystery I doubt it will be of the Scandi-noir variety.
On 6th and 7th September in Bramall Rock Void, there is a Tough Old Bird, Nana Funk, the great-great-grandmother of good times, who explores what it is like for women who have the temerity to get older. Not much fun for us blokes either, the next person who says ‘Bless’ in a condescending way to me, or rushes to help me at the self-checkout, which I am better at operating than they are, will be sorry. Now that is what you call art. It is a play which has got me talking before I have even seen it. Apparently Nana Funk is really Angie Walker, so the Bless brigade might have a point as I am now confused!
Now I have had an afternoon nap I can move on to Follow The Signs, again at Bramall Rock Void, on 12th-14th September. This is a unique performance of a hip-hop gig theatre show performed through rap, spoken English, movement and creative captioning. The twist is that the artists are Deaf and the whole thing is BSL (British Sign Language) led.
I am really looking forward to the next item, a Playhouse Production in conjunction with Headlong, Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith and Nottingham Playhouse called A Raisin in the Sun which runs from 13th to 28th September in the Courtyard. It is by Lorraine Hansberry who was the first black woman to have a play on Broadway, and is Directed by Tinuke Craig whose previous includes The Color Purple and, one of the best plays I have ever seen, Jitney. Like the latter it is set in Chicago and examines the way a family deals with the inheritance of their late father.
The story of loss and love during the First World War, Birdsong, by Sebastian Faulks is at the Quarry from 17th to 21st September. It is the stage version by Rachel Wagstaff with Max Bowden taking the lead role.
Back at the Quarry on 24th and 25th September we find Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey. It is a narrated musical telling the story of the Windrush Generation and Reggae. The narrator is John Summit and the music of Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Millie Small et al is played by JA Reggae Band.
The following two nights at the Quarry, 26th and 27th September, are filled by Ben Elton with his Authentic Stupidity show, an examination of how Artificial Intelligence is not the threat to humanity, but the eponymous attributes displayed by we humans.
From 2nd to 5th October, The Quarry and Courtyard Theatres are turned over to Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2024. As with last year’s superb event, the festival is divided between Panel Discussions and Talks. Again the list of guests is stellar with names such as Nile Rodgers of Chic, Carol Vorderman MBE, Kate Adie CBE and Stacy Dooley MBE, Rylan and Kate Garraway, tackling subjects including; How do we talk about addiction? How is TV distorting our reality? We’re all neurodiverse aren’t we? Who really cares? and one the aforementioned Ben Elton might wish to attend, Could AI be humanity’s saviour?
For more details of LIFI24 please go to https://leedsinternationalfestival.com/ as new speakers are still being added.
Fern Brady: I Gave You Milk To Drink is at Quarry on 10th October. Scotland’s queen of comedy asks ‘What happens when you get everything you want and it’s not enough?’ This sounds as though it should have been included in LIFI24.
10th to 12th October finds Danesha in Bramall Rock Void. It is a coming of age story exploring black culture, queer joy and finding and loving your authentic self.
The megastar that is Peppa Pig returns to Quarry for Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out. That is true – I’m not telling porkies. To cater for the demographic of the audience, the times are 4.00pm on 11th and 10.00am, 1.00pm and 4.00pm on 12th. You will go to the zoo and the beach, singing, dancing and laughing all the way. Just make sure you go to the loo first as we are not stopping!
Emporium Curioso sets up shop in Bramall Rock Void on 15th and 16th October. You won’t find any of these goods on Amazon as each has a story to tell. Why not pop along to this boutique and have a shufti. The show is presented by Bright Sparks Theatre Arts Company, which is Leeds based and has a majority Learning Disabled cast, in association with Aspire CBS and Leep1.
1927 present Please Right Back in Courtyard from 15th to 19th October, which is inspired by a true story. It is described as a eulogy to the power of imagination, storytelling and make believe, incorporating handcrafted animation.
Maisy Adam – Appraisal is at Quarry on 16th October but it is sold out already.
It is back to our Yorkshire roots at Quarry on 19th October with a concert by Brighouse and Rastrick Brass Band. Get thissen darn for a bit o triple tonguin’.
Courtyard stages Pilot Theatre’s adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s novel, Run, Rebel, from 22nd to 26th October. The production for audiences of 11+, although I’m sure there will be more than that there, combines physical theatre, mesmerising visuals and a talented ensemble cast. It tells the story of Amber who escapes her family’s rules and expectations along with her own fears, on the running track.
Bramall Rock Void is the writing paper for this love letter to Birmingham on 23rd to 25th October. It explores Black masculinity through Beyonce lyrics, techno raves and a barber – those were the days! It is called Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz.
Sarah-Louise Young and Russell Lucas present An Evening Without Kate Bush at Quarry on 24th October. So, get running up that Quarry Hill and join in the fun.
Another one for the theatre-goers of tomorrow on 26th October at Bramall Rock Void where, at 11.00am and 2.00pm there is The Glass Slippers, The Real Story of Cinderella. It is suitable for those 3+ and has the usual elements required for a fun hour.
On 29th and 30th October Bramall Rock Void has another daytime event, The Bar at the Edge of Time. It is a multi-sensory spectacular for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their supporters, hence the 11.00am and 1.30pm kick offs each day. Call and meet the bar’s mixologists, crooners and hosts and help solve a mystery only being able to be done by spending time together. Companion tickets are free.
Those noisy next door neighbours at Leeds Conservatoire present Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at Courtyard on 31st October. It is performed by graduating actors and actor/musicians. Witch trials on Halloween – scary!
The Hidden Garden appears in Bramall Rock Void from 2nd to 4th November and is a magical tale of a blooming unlikely friendship aimed at an audience aged 5+. A curious child discovers a garden deep in the concrete jungle and forms a bond with its creator when they embark on an adventure together.
It seems as though The Dark Arts is a course at Leeds Conservatoire as on 2nd November we have another of their presentations by graduating actors and actor/musicians, John Proctor is the Villain, which also deals with what happened in Salem, Mass. It is written by Kimberley Belflower and examines power, love and sex education.
5th and 6th November at Courtyard sees a new musical, Sanctuary, which centres around St Mary’s church in a northern town, where Alland, a young Iranian man is seeking refuge. It asks whether we want freedom only for ourselves or for all of us.
The Watch House takes over Bramall Rock Void on 8th and 9th November. Once a coast guard station it is now abandoned except for Anne, who as been left here while her parents sort out their divorce. The Watch House contains a secret, however, and only she can get to the bottom of it via graveyards, discos and shipwrecks.
Still in Bramall Rock Void, we have Ripe on 15th and 16th November. Although having an age guidance of 14+ it deals with people several times older. The show explores the fragilities and strengths inherent in the aging process but with a sense of humour. It has a local cast aged between 60 and 90.
On 20th and 21st November in Courtyard there is something totally different in Feel Me. It is an interactive theatre show with live performance, film, projection, dance and music but the rub is that it asks the audience, via their mobile phones, who and what they care about from the stories depicted on stage. For once you will be asked to leave your smartphones switched on in the theatre. I hope it doesn’t catch on.
Don’t look now but here comes Christmas!
Mr Snow is for the 3+ group and is by Robert Alan Evans. It runs from 30th November to 4th January, 2025 in Courtyard. It is set in a magical icy land, which it must be as there are both penguins and polar bears. Blessyou and Beartie dream of adventure and when their dad brings home a jar of unusual snow, extraordinary things begin to happen. Is it just me, or do some things not look appropriate when written down.
The Paradise Club is the best club in clubland but is in danger of closing down due to lack of money. Can they put on the best Christmas party ever to save the place. 4th and 5th December sees the club night put on a 70s glam rock bash with lots of singing and dancing. This is another Bright Sparks event where the company has a majority Learning Disabled cast and was first performed last year with such success that they are back for more.
Finally, the big one! This year’s Quarry extravaganza is The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, based on the novel by CS Lewis. It runs from 18th November until 25th January, 2025. If the past Christmas shows at Leeds Playhouse are anything to go by, this will be brilliant. It includes storytelling, stagecraft and incredible puppets.
Whatever your tastes there is bound to be something to appeal, but just be wary if someone offers you a jar of unusual snow. Unusual snow – just say no!
For full details and to book please go to https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/
All images provided by Leeds Playhouse
Tyke It To The Limit 