In Spring 2020 Leeds Playhouse will present a new adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic novel Oliver Twist.


Bold, brutal and beautiful, this brand new version of Dickens’ novel is adapted by award-winning playwright Bryony Lavery with dramaturgical support from Graeae’s Artistic Director Jenny Sealey. The play will be directed by Leeds Playhouse’s Associate Director Amy Leach.


The production opens at Leeds Playhouse in Spring 2020 ahead of visiting Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Nottingham Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres, New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich and Theatre Royal Stratford East, who are all part of the Ramps on the Moon consortium alongside Graeae, the UK’s leading disabled led theatre company. 


Now in its fourth year, Ramps on the Moon is a consortium of seven major UK theatres, plus partner company Graeae, committed to putting D/deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work. Each year, one consortium organisation becomes the lead producing partner creating a large-scale new production which champions diversity both on and off stage. Previous Ramps on the Moon productions include Our Country’s Good, The Who’s Tommy and The Government Inspector.




Director Amy Leach said “Having watched all of the previous Ramps on the Moon shows, I was excited to think about stories that felt highly theatrical and sensory – that would lend themselves to thrilling and bold, visual and aural storytelling. Oliver Twist is a vivid, dark and visceral story and I am so excited to explore how adding artistic layers of creative sign language, audio description and captioning can enhance the story-telling for all audience members. OliverTwist will give an integrated ensemble cast of D/deaf, disabled and non-disabled actors the opportunity to play a brilliantly varied range of characters and showcase a wide range of talents. I can’t wait to share Bryony’s very special adaptation with audiences around the country.” 


Adapter Bryony Lavery said “I've cleared my desk and I'm just about to bury myself in the country with the book of Oliver Twist, a fist full of wonderful old photographs of workhouses, and a notebook stuffed with all the brilliant ideas gleaned from the first Ramps on the Moon workshop. Led by Amy, attended by the theatre legend that is Jenny Sealey and a group of amazingly bendy, articulate, generous actors, the workshop has set me upon the road to rediscovering the text for this exciting, and daunting, writing task. I’m totally thrilled to be working with Leeds Playhouse and Ramps on the Moon on this unique project.”




Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining said “After having been part of Ramps on the Moon since the very start and having received some great shows over the previous three years, we’re excited to be taking the lead this time. The production will build on some brilliant work which Amy Leach has been developing at the Playhouse and also brings Bryony Lavery back to Leeds to create another new Dickens adaptation. The prospect of these two terrific artists, working with a fully integrated company and with embedded interpretation, will make a Leeds Playhouse / Ramps on the Moon Oliver Twist very enticing indeed."


Born and raised in a life of poverty and misfortune, orphaned Oliver Twist travels to London on a life-changing adventure. There he meets the Artful Dodger, the terrifying Bill Sykes and the kindly Nancy after joining Fagin's infamous gang.




Every performance of Oliver Twist will feature integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning. The production plays in Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry theatre from 28 February – 21 March 2020 ahead of a UK tour.




For the list of the full cast and creative team, click here. 


Oliver Twist, Quarry Theatre, Leeds Playhouse 
Fri 28 Feb – Sat 21 March 2020, Press Night Wed 4 March 2020
Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk

I have walked past the Lawrence Batley Theatre a few times whilst exploring Huddersfield Town Centre which is home to arts, theatre, comedies and music shows. The clean and stunning courtyard is impressive and so is the building itself which is a former chapel bulit in 1819 which was the largest Methodist Chapel in Europe and could seat 1862 people. 



The Methodist Chapel moved out of the building due to a decline in numbers and in 1975 the building became grade 11 listed. 
Then in 1992 the venue’s conversion into a theatre begins before being opened by famous Huddersfield actor Sir Patrick Stewart OBE. 
Then the theatre produced it’s first pantomime in 2016 and today they are into their third year running of Pantomimes with a production of Sleeping Beauty, which we went along to see! 

SLEEPING BEAUTY: “All the fun you could wish for this Christmas, as Lawrence Batley Theatre presents its magical family pantomime.” 

The Official Lowdown:  

Produced by Lawrence Batley Theatre; Director: Joyce Branagh; Writer: Andrew Pollard. 
​
In a castle high above Huddersfield, a wicked fairy has cursed Princess Aurora to sleep for 100 years. With the Princess watched over by her nursemaid, a kind fairy sets out to find a hero who can break the spell, but who will be the one to rescue our Princess? 
Spun together by director Joyce Branagh and playwright Andrew Pollard the creative team behind the hugely successful Aladdin, Jack & the Beanstalk and Cinderella, expect thigh slapping, toe tapping, rib cracking fun from this year’s family show. Bursting with spectacular costumes, hit songs, audience participation (and in true panto tradition) it’s shaping up to be Huddersfield’s biggest pantomime yet. (Oh, yes it is!) 
Henry Filloux-Bennett, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the LBT, said: “Having seen last year’s panto I am incredibly excited about SLEEPING BEAUTY – it’s my first pantomime since joining the Lawrence Batley Theatre and I am really looking forward to seeing packed houses full of families enjoying a fabulous, festive show full of magic and fun, throughout the run.” 
“We are delighted to welcome back Joyce and Andrew, the creative force behind some of the best pantomimes across the UK and we are very excited to see what magic they have created, together with our talented cast, for Sleeping Beauty. I’ve heard so much about our 
audiences’ fantastic reaction to previous productions and this production looks set to build and excel upon their previous triumphs.” 
SLEEPING BEAUTY brings together faces old and new for this fantastic production. Robin Simpson (Aladdin, Jack & The Beanstalk) makes a welcome return as Nanny Fanny. Princess Aurora (Sleeping Beauty), will be played by talented local actor and LBT favourite, Alyce Liburd (Aladdin and Unsung). She will be wooed by handsome Sebastian Prince, ably portrayed by Thomas Cotran (Aladdin, Jack & The Beanstalk). Also making a welcome return is Nicola Jayne Ingram (Aladdin, A Tiger’s Tale) as Hester the Jester and Richard Hand (Aladdin, The Ruck, Cinderella) returns in the role of King Herbert the Hesitant. Gamely stepping in at the last minute, LBT is thrilled to welcome Esther-Grace Button as the fabulous Fairy Falalala -la-la-la-la-la, (The Sand House, Beauty & The Beast, Jack & The Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty for CAST). Making her LBT debut is Hayley Russell (Vampires Rock (UK Theatre and Arena Tour)); and The Meat Loaf Story (UK Tour) as Belladonna Bile. Hayley is also a professional singer and has worked all over the world on cruise ships for over 17 years, supporting artists such as Billy Ocean and Gareth Gates and even had the pleasure of performing for Oasis front man Liam Gallagher. The professional cast are supported by a company of talented young performers, aged between 9 – 17 years old, from across Kirklees. 
Director, Joyce Branagh, says: “We’re very excited about Sleeping Beauty and audiences can expect to be wowed by the cast, gorgeous sets, and amazing choreography bringing to life Andrew’s cracking, comical script. Expect rousing songs, outrageous outfits and hilarious antics from the team. 
“It’s a privilege to work with such a talented bunch and we’ve brought back some audience favourites as well as some new faces to the exceptional cast! We have something special on order for families to enjoy and we can guarantee a great Christmas outing at LBT.” 

Blog Up North’s Review of Sleeping Beauty at the Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield: 

The stunning venue steeped in history is home to a dynamic and modern theatre space which seats 477 people. The space feels intimate yet spacious. We were seated upstairs at the back and could watch the whole production with a perfect view. 
On arrival to the theatre we weren’t sure what to expect, but the space is beautifully kept and has a nice Courtyard bar/cafe with huge windows overlooking the actual Court Yard. Everyone is warm and friendly as we entered and the usher gave us a really warm Yorkshire welcome, which was a great introduction to this very Yorkshire production. 
As soon as the show starts we are introduced to the fabulously funny Fairy Falalala -la-la-la-la-la who knits this version of Sleeping Beauty together with laugh out loud humour and brilliant skill at engaging the grown ups and children alike. She manages to keep the pace going of the modern version of this production which is on a stage with a stunning and elaborate stage set which gives the production a high-end feel. 
The cast show the best of Yorkshire with a very family-friendly production which is fun and upbeat with a quirky and hilariously funny Nanny Fanny Dame.
It was great how the whole audience is involved with water pistols being squirted by characters coming upstairs into the seating area too. 
We loved all the local references and Yorkshire humour which made this show the perfect and warm end to a busy festive period. 
Most of the storyline happens in the first half and then the second half is full of lots of fun, music and dancing to finish off our panto season perfectly…

This theatre is soon to be a regular of ours with its handy location in between Huddersfield Train Station and Bus Station, it’s cosy setting and stunning surroundings. It really is a hidden gem, so next time you’re in the area make sure you pop into this little sanctuary.

​Read Yorkshire Families review here.

For more information on the theatre, go to: https://www.thelbt.org

Kay Mellor’s world premiere stage adaptation of her groundbreaking 90s TV drama, Band of Gold, receives 5-star reviews as it welcomes stars of stage and screen to its press night.

Hollyoaks stars Kirsty Leigh-Porter, Ruby O’Donnell and Jessica Fox joined fellow soap actors Sam Giles, Michael Praed, Nicola Wheeler, Fiona Wade, Michelle Hardwick and Sandra Marvin ofEmmerdale on the red carpet and in the packed house, alongside Dire Straits member and composer of the original music, Hal Lindes, Downtown Abbey regular Kevin Doyle, and regional news presenters Charlotte Leeming, Keeley Donovan, Gaynor Barnes, Christine Talbot and Duncan Wood.
 
Running until Saturday 14 December at The Grand, BAND OFGOLD is the nail-biting thriller that tells the story of a group ofwomen - Carol, Rose, Anita and Gina - as they battle to survive whilst working in Bradford’s notorious red-light district. With a killer on the loose it’s a battle to survive!


★ ★ ★ ★ ★
‘Mellor is on fine form with this adaptation and direction of her work; the writing is sharp, colourful and richly detailed’
ONSTAGE BLOG UK


★ ★ ★ ★
‘It is a no-holds-barred production that certainly opens the eyes and tugs at the heart’
THE REVIEWS HUB


★ ★ ★ ★
‘Band of Gold is an empowering period piece that fearlessly explores a distinctly silent world…’
ENTERTAINMENT FOCUS


‘Drama at its best’
YORKSHIRE TIMES


Book online at leedsgrandtheatre.com or call Box Office on 0844 848 2700
 
Kay Mellor OBE is a Leeds born writer, director and actress best known for her work on several successful and ground-breaking drama series, including Fat Friends, Band of Gold, The Syndicate and In The Club. She is also well known for her stage version of A Passionate Woman, which played in the West End and is still touring both nationally and internationally, and Fat Friends The Musical which premiered at Leeds Grand Theatrein November 2017. Kay most recently wrote and created Love, Lies & Records (BBC One, 2017), and wrote and directedGirlfriends (ITV,2018). Kay was also the exec-producer for Overshadowed (BBC Three).

We were pleased we followed our own yellow brick road of Christmas Lights and visited the redeveloped Leeds Playhouse which lit up a dark gloomy night with its new colourful city facing entrance, complete with a festive treat of a show inside. 

“There’s no place like home” 

It’s apt that the new base is housing a new Christmas production this year of The Wizard of Oz. 

The theatre feels spacious, modern and accessible with state-of-the-art facilities yet all still with that community friendly feel that Leeds Playhouse does so well. 
The audience alone proves what great work the theatre does at reaching people near and far. And this production is professional yet inviting. 
We’re immediately transported into this magical show with a strong confident Dorothy (Lucy Sherman and Agatha Meehan) and audience favourite Toto the dog easing us into this classic story. 

What I love about a lot of productions at Leeds Playhouse is the fact that they have a community ensemble of local people. But not only that the show is seamless and it’s hard to tell the professionals from the new talent as we are taken on this magical journey. 

All the cast are strong and nicely choreographed with comical touches which pleases  all ages. 

The stand out actor for me is the Lion (Marcus Ayton) who punches the right note with his own take on the character. He is closely followed by the Wicked Witch of the West (Polly Lister) who is equally as flamboyant in her own way. 

Whilst the auditorium inside Leeds Playhouse feels large, the cast cut through the vastness by utilising the whole space - as they travel through the audience and make use of the impressive set. It’s gives an initimate feel to a professional production. 

For me, seeing the parents and carers wait for their loved ones who performed in the show was the icing on the cake showing how this theatre has yet again opened up its stages and made us all feel at home in the often distant world of theatrical productions. 

As the show is long (2hours 50 minutes) I’d say it’s mostly suitable for older children and grown ups. Otherwise it’s the perfect family festive treat for the whole family. 

The official lowdown

The Wizard of Oz, the spectacular family musical, is now open at Leeds Playhouse for Christmas 2019. 


Production images revealed today show the magical land of Oz, where audiences are beingwhisked away on a whirlwind adventure down the yellow brick road, through the poppy fields and into the Emerald City.


New friends Scarecrow (Eleanor Sutton), Lion (Marcus Ayton) and Tin Man (Sam Harrison) join fearless Dorothy (Lucy Sherman and Agatha Meehan) and her faithful dog Toto on their magical adventures. Along the way, they meet the Munchkins of Munchkinland, played by young people from the Leeds City Region, and escape the clutches of the vengeful Wicked Witch of the West (Polly Lister) as they traverse the yellow brick road to find the mysterious Wizard of Oz (Graham Hoadly).


The Wizard of Oz, directed by Leeds Playhouse’s Artistic Director James Brining, is playing in Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre, which has reopened in time for Christmas following the building’s dramatic £15.8m redevelopment. 
​
Audiences now enjoy improved access into and around the building, comfortable contemporary seating in the Quarry, new hospitality areas and a dramatic new city-facing entrance opposite Leeds City Bus Station.
As part of its first season of Christmas celebrations in its new look home, Leeds Playhouse is hosting a sensational sing-along performance of The Wizard of Oz on Friday 13 December, inviting audiences to dress up, sing loudly (and proudly) and join in the fabulous festive fun.
The Wizard of Oz, Leeds Playhouse’s Quarry Theatre 
20 November 2019 – 25 January 2020. Press Night Tue 26 November 2019, 7pm
Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk

Leeds Playhouse in partnership with City of Sanctuary will host the inaugural networking meeting for theatres from across the country working to support Refugees and Asylum Seekers, this week in West Yorkshire.


The network is an opportunity for organisations to work together sharing best practice and responding to different political or world situations. The Refugee Council will be in attendance to offer support and context for participants. Venues attending include Sheffield Theatres, Oxford Playhouse and Sherman Theatre.


Head of Creative Engagement Ruth Hannant said: “Leeds Playhouse has led the way in becoming the first Theatre of Sanctuary in the UK, following our commitment to supporting and working with Refugee and Asylum Seekers. It is fantastic to be partnering with City of Sanctuary to share ideas and opportunities on a national scale with other organisations.


“Here in Leeds we have seen first-hand the benefits to those who are accessing the various Theatre of Sanctuary programmes at the Playhouseand it has been fantastic to see those individuals grow and develop skills that are benefiting them in all areas of their life


“This network aims to look at how theatres and theatre companies can work together on a national scale to join up best practice, share resources and jointly respond to different political or world situations.


“We are incredibly proud of the work we have done and continue to do as a Theatre of Sanctuary, and look forward to sharing this learning with our colleagues from other venues, as well as learning about the excellent work being delivered around the country.”

I’d never seen The King and I let alone read the book Anna and The King of Siam but thankfully I rode the waves of this musical masterpiece at Leeds Grand Theatre. 

Following its critically acclaimed Broadway smash hit run and a sold-out record-breaking season at the London Palladium, the multi Tony Award-winning production of The King and I has landed at Leeds Grand Theatre and is playing until Saturday 9 November 2019.

​The King and I at Leeds Grand Theatre - Review 

We are immediately transported to Thailand with Anna Leonowens and her son who arrive on a ship to teach the King of Siam’s many wives and children. 

There were echoes of my own grandmother’s journey when she arrived in the Far East after a three week journey to live with my grandfather in Malaysia.
 
Anna and her son’s accents and attire immediately stand out in stark contrast to those living inside the kings Bangkok based palace. 

Anna is in many ways a strong feminist who takes us all under her wing as she challenges the treatment of women as subservients. 
​
Anna, played by Annalene Beechey, seamlessly embodies a feisty but loveable character who conforms just enough to win the king over and yet she still manages to stand her ground between what she believes to be right and wrong. 

The King, played brilliantly by Jose Llana, who first appears ruthless but throughout the show he draws us in with his comical facial expressions and his willingness to take on Anna’s “guesses” i.e, advice about what he should do to woo the West who had dubbed him a “barbarian.”

Interestingly, the King had actually employed Anna to help modernise his kingdom. Whilst he's a polygamist, he is not necessarily barbaric. 

Anna and the king begin to bond as they prepare to put on a western style greeting for a British envoy who come to assess the situation in Siam. Part of this is dressing the King's wives in large circle skirts which shows a clash of cultures as the women struggle to move in such clothing. 

At times you feel uncomfortable as westernising everything about the East isn’t necessarily making it more “civilised” just more western. 

But this contrast evolves into a fusion of two cultures. Anna and the King's relationship starts to blossom as they work together to impress the envoy.   

Part of the visit is a show by servant Tuptim who is involved in her own secret love story. She manages to put on a play called the Small House of Uncle Thomas. It's a brilliantly choreographed piece of narrated dance with stunning costumes.  

Whilst the show impresses the guests, the king is furious at Tuptim as the show tells the story of a servant fleeing a King and Buddha saves them but melts the river so the King drowns. 

Tuptim then flees to be with her own lover. 

Anna and the King continue to bond but refuse to admit their love, even as the King requests Anna to show him how to dance. 

But the pair then dramatically clash as Tuptim is captured and brought back to the palace to be whipped whilst her lover is found to be dead. 

Anna vows to leave Siam and prepares to board a ship leaving Siam with her son. But she is stopped in her tracks as she receives a letter from the King who is dying. 

​The pair reconcile in a touching yet comical way as the King communicates with Anna from his death bed. His last wishes are for his son to take the role of King and Anna to stay to help him. 

The ending offers hope for the future and shows the kingdom's willingness to change.  

The show is beautifully choreographed and the live Orchestra adds to the richness of this endearing show.  Make sure you head to Leeds Grand Theatre before it departs. 

Maggie May, a new play by Frances Poet, is to be staged in Spring 2020 in a co-production by Leeds Playhouse and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. This inspiring, incisive and uplifting play signifies a strong commitment by each of the venues to creating new, positive work about people living with dementia.

Directed by Jemima Levick, Maggie May is an extraordinary play about an ordinary Leeds family learning to cope with a life-changing dementia diagnosis. Written with heart-wrenching honesty, beautifully balanced with humour and music, it is, ultimately, an uplifting story of love in all its guises.    

The play was originally commissioned in 2018 as part of Leeds Playhouse’s award-winning Every Third Minute Festival, an innovative seven-week collaborative festival of theatre, dementia and hope curated by people living with dementia and their supporters. Written by award-winning playwright Frances Poet (Fibres, Stellar Quines & Glasgow Citizens Theatre; Gut, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Adam, National Theatre of Scotland at the Traverse Theatre), who is originally from Yorkshire, with valuable input from members of Leeds Playhouse’s pioneering creative programme for people living with dementia, the play will head on a national tour, including a run at Leeds Playhouse from 31 March – 18 April 2020.  

Leeds Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining welcomes Maggie May as a key example of the theatre’s collaborative process and inclusive ethos.
‘We are committed to telling stories that resonate on a meaningful level, reflecting the lives of people across our city and the wider region. With this in mind, we’re particularly thrilled to be staging Maggie May, a play centred on a seemingly ordinary Leeds family who show incredible resilience and strength at a point of crisis. This inspiring work, rooted in our community and featuring recognisable characters who could easily be our own families, friends and neighbours, will play a pivotal role in our Spring 2020 season, highlighting our deeply embedded commitment to engaging with artists, communities and partners to bring relevant, significant work to the stage.’  

When commissioned to write the play, it struck something of a personal chord with Frances as her father, who died in 2012, had been diagnosed with dementia.
‘I was interested to explore a story that showed a positive side post-diagnosis. That did not reflect the experience we had with my dad. Writing Maggie May has been, at times, a bitter-sweet process. It made me think how wonderful it would have been if Dad had been able to connect with the amazing work that goes on at the Playhouse.

‘Talking to people at the Playhouse made me realise the joy and resilience people have in their lives. I wouldn’t have picked up on that just reading about dementia. The people who contributed throughout the process were very generous with their responses and feedback. Their notes helped me to change aspects of the script. They helped me to make it more truthful; to really speak to people’s experiences.’ 


Lyn and Mick Haith, members of Leeds Playhouse’s Peer Support Group for people living with dementia, were invited to the read-through and provided valuable feedback that helped Frances shape and hone the finer details of her play.
‘Consulting on the play was such a surprise. For someone to listen to our thoughts and opinions, to take notice, was wonderful. Everybody in the group has a different type of dementia, so there were lots of different opinions and ideas and stories. We’ll have a real sense of pride when the play comes to the Playhouse because, for us, it’s life, it’s real.’

Leeds Playhouse runs regular activities for people living with dementia, including Our Time sessions for people living with dementia and their partners, Peer Support sessions in partnership with other cultural organisations throughout the city, and its pioneering Dementia Friendly performances. The Playhouse’s innovative approach has been recognised with national awards from the Alzheimer’s Society and the National Dementia Care Awards. Maggie May is a further development of the Playhouse’s commitment to producing professional work on the theme of dementia; work that is rooted in lived experience, embedded in and accessible to the communities in which it works.

Maggie May plays in Leeds Playhouse’s Courtyard theatre from Tue 31 March – Sat 18 April 2020 as part of a UK tour. During the Leeds Playhouse run, all performances will adhere to the Playhouse’s dementia-friendly approach, ensuring that people living with dementia will feel welcome at any performance. Partner venues will be offering a range of dementia friendly performances to build on their own commitment to welcoming audiences affected by dementia. Each venue will host a free interactive installation front of house named The Listening Booth amplifying the voices of people living with dementia. 

​Tickets are on sale to Leeds Playhouse’s patrons and Playhouse Pass holders from Thursday 24 October, with tickets on general sale from Monday 28 October. 


Full cast and creative team to be announced. 


Maggie May, Courtyard Theatre, Leeds Playhouse 
Tue 31 March – Sat 18 April 2020, Press Night Wed 1 April 2020
Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk