This wasn’t just the launch of the delights awaiting us over the next year or so but also the beginning of a new era for Leeds Playhouse under the partnership of Chief Executive, Shawab Iqbal, and Artistic Director, Tom Wright. The core values of the organisation will not only be upheld, but enhanced with several new initiatives designed to promote even more accessibility and participation opportunities for those who would not normally think about becoming involved in the theatre.
Shawab Iqbal, CEO of Leeds Playhouse
Mr Iqbal reminded we present, that this is not just a place of entertainment, but also one of refuge and safety for the citizens of Leeds and its environs, whether they be new to the area – or the country – and need a place of refuge, or suffering from physical and/or mental issues requiring special needs to be catered for. This does not just mean as audience members, but as visitors to the premises or even writers and performers.
Tom Wright, Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse gave us the low-down concerning the productions included in the forthcoming season. There are three main performance spaces in the building; Quarry, Courtyard and Bramall Rock Void. The emphasis was on the first two as the last one concentrates on niche performances which tend to be arranged at much shorter notice than the others. Please keep checking out the website for these as I have seen some absolutely cracking shows in the Bramall Rock Void. There is a link at the end. Courtyard is the place for contemporary storytelling and, don’t tell anyone, but is my favourite of the three as it is laid out in a traditional manner being banked rather than tiered, so, as well as having comfy seats, also has ample legroom. Quarry is the largest auditorium where the big-hitters are staged, notably the spectacular Christmas Shows.
Courtyard
The season kicks-off from 11th-16th September, 2026, with Fences, by August Wilson. This is an American classic set in 1950s and directed by Daniel Bailey. It is a co-production between Leeds Playhouse, Headlong, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and HOME, Manchester.
It is followed by Peanut Butter and Blueberries, from Leeds playwright Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan telling the story of a couple of students, one from Bradford and one from Birmingham, who are at college in London and who bond over a sandwich of, you guessed it, peanut butter and blueberries. The dates are 22nd October to 7th November.
Sirens is the next in line and this is a new play, written and directed by Tom Wright himself. It’s great to see someone involved in the running of Leeds Playhouse contribute an original work. I can’t wait, although I will have to as its run isn’t until 15th March to 3rd April, 2027.
The Secret Garden by Linda Marshall Griffiths, inspired by the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel brings the season to a close on 23rd April to 15th May, 2027.
Quarry
I mentioned the Christmas spectaculars earlier and this year sees a brand-new UK production of Dr Seuss’s Hoe The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. It is directed by that Tom Wright chap, who seems to be getting involved in everything. The fun runs from 19th November, 2026 until 16th January, 2027.
3rd to 20th March, 2027 sees a fresh production of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. It is good to see that Tom Wright is giving one of the up and coming playwrights a chance. As I said at the beginning, the mantra of Leeds Playhouse is inclusivity.
Frankenstein runs from 12th to 29th May, 2027. It is written and directed by Leeds’s own Jeff James after Mary Shelly. Ladies first.
Setting the macabre to music we have Little Shop of Horrors, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman and music by Alan Menken. It is directed by Leeds Playhouse Associate Artistic Director, Jamie Sophia Fletcher. I’m sure it will be a scream. At least it runs from 23rd June to 17th July, 2027, so it will still be light for your journey home.
That’s that then, except for a couple of things. First, to see what is coming to all spaces in Leeds Playhouse, please go to https://www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk/whats-on/ Second, if you would like to take a virtual tour of Leeds Playhouse to see where I spend a lot of my evenings having my brain put to the test, click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjoVSrQLkQE I hope to see you there in person one day, or evening.
Tyke It To The Limit 