Welcome to Smile Club. Life’s so much better when you smile. Everyone knows that. So go on – give us a smile.
    
Set in a dystopian world in which a government drive exists to tame unruly women, Smile Club is a darkly comic one-woman show performed and written by Andrea Heaton (Fidget Theatre), with writer Adam Z. Robinson (Shivers, The Book of Darkness and Light.). Produced by Red Ladder Theatre Company and directed by Artistic Director Rod Dixon (Mother Courage and Her Children/The Damned United), this pertinent, thrilling and sharply satirical new play will tour nationally to theatres and community venues in March and April, opening at Leeds Playhouse on Thursday 5 March.
      
Smile Club follows Lisa, a Smile Club attendee. She’s been through it all and she now knows – beyond a shadow of a doubt – that nobody likes a girl who makes a fuss; nobody likes a girl who can’t take a joke. She also knows that life is simpler when you let things go. And she certainly has. All of it. Join Lisa as she presents the perks and rewards of being a Smile Club Member. Hear about her descent into dejection, rage, and bloody violence, before her remarkable transformation into the smiley, well-adjusted human you see before you today.
      
Writer and performer Andrea Heaton says: “Smile Club started as an idea from an anecdote from a friend about a man who wouldn’t allow a woman through the barrier of a train station until she’d given him a smile. It takes place in a dystopian near-future where women are routinely sent for smile treatment to correct their behaviour, wearing them down to the point of giving in and accepting the status quo. The play is inspired by movements such as MeToo and Everyday Sexism, as a way of voicing anger about the way women are treated, but it’s darkly funny and thrilling. We can’t wait for you to join the club.”
    
Red Ladder Theatre Company is one of Britain’s leading national touring companies, dedicated to producing high quality work which contributes to social change and global justice. It is a champion of new writing, particularly that which challenges or agitates and gives a voice to those who are often unheard on our stages. Through Red Ladder Localit tours quality productions into community spaces and non-theatre venues. Recent work includesGlory (UK tour) Mother Courage and Her Children (50th anniversary production); The Damned United(UK tour); The Shed Crew (world premiere production); Wrong ‘Un, The Parting Glass, The Life and Soul and Playing the Joker (Red Ladder Local).


Smile Club, Bramall Rock Void, Leeds Playhouse
5 – 7 March. Press night Thursday 5 March, 8pm
Box office: 0113 213 7700; leedsplayhouse.org.uk

Tour listings
Leeds Playhouse 5 – 7 March.
Theatre Royal Wakefield 8 March
Cast, Doncaster 11 March
Harrogate Theatre 12 and 13 March
Theatre Deli, Sheffield 14 March
The Dukes, Lancaster 17 March
Hunslet RLFC, South Leeds Stadium 18 March
Arts Centre Washington, Sunderland 19 March  
Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax 20 March
Rockingham Centre, Hoyland, Barnsley 21 March
Hawksworth Wood Village Hall, Leeds 24 March
Gipton WMC, Leeds 25 March
Shaw Lane Sports Club, Barnsley 26 March
Queen’s Mill, Castleford 27 March
St John’s Parish Hall, Barnsley 28 March
Grove Hall, Pontefract 29 March
Hull Truck Theatre, Hull 31 March
Lincoln Drill Hall, Lincoln 1 April
Torch Theatre, Pembrokeshire 2 April
Tobacco Factory Theatres, Bristoli 3 and 4 April
The Cluntergate Centre, Horbury, Wakefield 5 April

Drawing inspiration from real historical events,Black Waters is an emotionally evocative new production from Phoenix Dance Theatre that explores the long-lasting effects of British colonial forces.
In the late 18th century, 130 slaves were thrown overboard from the Zong as the ship owners attempted to profit from their life insurance. More than 100 years later, Indian freedom fighters were incarcerated in the Kala Pani prison for speaking out against the regime. Black Waters reflects on these two moments in history, showing how people can find value, inspiration and hope in even the bleakest of times.
Co-choreographers Sharon Watson, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, and Shambik Ghose and Dr Mitul Sengupta, Artistic Directors of Kolkata-based Rhythmosaic, cleverly combine contemporary dance with Kathak dance – one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance, traditionally attributed to ancient travelling storytellers.
Sharon explained: â€œBlack Waters is not about recreating these two events through contemporary dance, but is an exploration of place, worth and belonging, which can often be conflicting for people of colour.”

Theatre review of Black Waters By Phoenix Dance at Leeds Playhouse, West Yorkshire 

Leeds-based theatre company TheatreState in association with Leeds Playhouse present SAY YES TO TESS, a new musical inspired by theatre-maker Tess Seddon’s real-life experience of standing in the 2017 General Election for the Yorkshire Party in Leeds North East. The production will open at Leeds Playhouse this March ahead of a major UK autumn tour. 


Recovering from a break-up that sent her back home to Yorkshire, 30-year-old Labour supporter Tess discovered the Yorkshire Party. Their seemingly eccentric fight for Yorkshire devolution and love of amateur dramatics made them perfect material for a play. But the more Tess researched, the more she found herself questioning the UK’s centralised power system and lack of meaningful representation, choosing to join them and stand herself.


SAY YES TO TESS is a hilarious first-hand account of our weird and wonderful democracy. Tess knocks on doors, speaks at hustings and begins to believe in her power to change things. Until she is told to drop out to protect Labour’s votes.


Written by Tess Seddon with catchy, original songs by Harry Blake and co-directed by the pair, this true story-turned-musical teeters between hilarious absurdity and powerful hope. SAY YES TO TESS is a fun, accessible and entertaining musical for people who don’t think politics is for them.


Leeds Playhouse Artistic director James Brining said: “We are really proud that this has been developed through Leeds Playhouse’s Artist Development programme, Furnace. Tess ran for election whilst undertaking her placement as Resident Director here at the Playhouse and it is fantastic to have been part of the whole journey and continuing that support and commitment to and progression for local artists in Leeds. SAY YES TO TESS explores prescient themes like apathy, political representation and independence with wit, originality and integrity whilst also being a great night out. It’s certainly got my vote!”


Tess Seddon said: "Harry and I met through Leeds Playhouse in 2017 and instantly had such fun playing around with all the mad things that had happened to me. It's a strange thing turning your life into a musical! I'm so excited to be telling this unique Northern story and continuing this journey with Leeds Playhouse. At a time of huge political divides, I hope SAY YES TO TESS will bring people together to reimagine the system no matter what Party they believe in."


This is a musical about hearing every voice.Notoriously terrible singer Tess plays herself alongside talented actors, singers and musiciansJonathan Dryden Taylor (The Butterfly Lion, Chichester Festival Theatre), Danielle Henry (My Brilliant Friend, National Theatre) and Max Runham (Reasons To Be Cheerful, Graeae) who play characters including her aggressive housemate, estranged father, theatre friends in London and ever enthusiastic Yorkshire Party members.


Set and costume design by Rūta Irbīte (previously shortlisted for Linbury Prize), lighting by Amy Mae Smith (There Are No Beginnings, Leeds Playhouse) and movement direction by Rachel Fullegar (Leeds-based GraceFool Collective) with Access Consultancy by Nickie Miles Wildin(Cutting It, Royal Exchange).


Each performance of SAY YES TO TESS will feature integrated audio description and touch tours are available for every performance if booked 24 hours in advance.
  
SAY YES TO TESS, Bramall Rock Void, Leeds Playhouse 
26 March – 4 April, Press night 27 March, 8pm
Box Office 0113 213 7700, Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk

It is a truth universally acknowledged that there have been countless versions of Pride and Prejudice. But this is an Austen adaptation like no other.


Drawing on more than two-hundred years of romantic pop history, Tron Theatre Company and Blood of the Young’s unique take on a beloved novel – Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort Of) – comes to the Playhouse’s Courtyard Theatre from 25-29 February, bringing music and laughter to the Bennet sisters’ drawing room.


This is not just the story of Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Kitty and Lydia, their myriad romances and their meddling mother though. This is an irreverent reimagining by six young women with their own stories to tell.


Men, money and microphones are fought over in this affectionate all-female adaptation of Jane Austen’s unrivalled literary classic, presented by Leeds Playhouse and The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh. Written by Isobel McArthur and directed by Paul Brotherston, music, mayhem and raucous ribaldry replace the gentle romantic parlour games of the Regency original.


Let the ruthless matchmaking begin!

Drawing inspiration from real historical events, Black Waters is an emotionally evocative new production from Phoenix Dance Theatre that explores the long-lasting effects of British colonial forces.
In the late 18th century, 130 slaves were thrown overboard from the Zong as the ship owners attempted to profit from their life insurance. More than 100 years later, Indian freedom fighters were incarcerated in the Kala Pani prison for speaking out against the regime. Black Waters reflects on these two moments in history, showing how people can find value, inspiration and hope in even the bleakest of times.
​
Co-choreographers Sharon Watson, Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre, and Shambik Ghose and Dr Mitul Sengupta, Artistic Directors of Kolkata-based Rhythmosaic, cleverly combine contemporary dance with Kathak dance – one of the eight major forms of Indian classical dance, traditionally attributed to ancient travelling storytellers.

Sharon explained: “Black Waters is not about recreating these two events through contemporary dance, but is an exploration of place, worth and belonging, which can often be conflicting for people of colour.”

Black Waters, Quarry, Leeds Playhouse
12 – 15 Feb. Press performance: Wed 12 Feb, 7.30pm
Box office: 0113 213 7700;leedsplayhouse.org.uk


MORE INFO... 



Sharon Watson is the seventh and longest-standing director of Phoenix Dance Theatre. She trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and was one of the first female Principal Dancers invited to join the then all-male award-winning Phoenix Dance Company. She toured with the company from 1989-97, returning in 2009 as Artistic Director. Sharon is a previous trustee of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures and current trustee of The Place and Leeds Playhouse. She is also an artistic advisor for the Central School of Ballet. She is committed to improving diversity within the arts by supporting the creative voices of women and black and ethnic minority artists.


Shambik Ghose is a Dean’s Scholar from LeedsBeckett University and BA Dance lecturer at LeedsCity College. He has worked with, among others, the Royal Danish Ballet, Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Beijing Dance LDTX, Dancecentrum in Sweden, Innoprom in Russia and India, and Attakkalari Biennial.  




Dr Mitul Sengupta is a National Scholar in Kathak Dance, awarded by the Indian Ministry of Culture, and a Fellow in Kathak Dance at the Kalakritti Sanskritti Foundation in New Delhi. A research scholar at the University of Calcutta, she has helped to raise the profile of movement therapy in India. She began dancing at the age of five, going on to train with great exponents of Kathak Dance, as well as leading lights in Classical Jazz and Classical Ballet. She is currently a teacher, choreographer and artistic director of Rhythmosaic School and Dance Institute.


Leeds Playhouse opened nearly 50 years ago. It is a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and to engage in world class theatre. The Playhouse makes work which is pioneering and relevant, seeking out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire. From large scale spectacles to intimate performances, the Playhousedevelops and makes work for the stage, found spaces, touring, schools and community venues. A dedicated collaborator, Leeds Playhouse works regularly with other organisations from across the UK and engages with some of the most distinctive and original voices in theatre today
Through its Artistic Development programme Furnace, it develops work with established practitioners and finds, nurtures and supports new voices. It cultivates artists by providing creative space for writers, directors, companies and individual theatre-makers to refine their practice at any stage of their career.
The Playhouse’s sector-leading Creative Engagement team works with over 10,000 people aged 0 – 95 every year through a range of weekly workshops and exciting creative projects using theatre to open up possibilities, reaching out to refugee communities, young people, students, older people and people with learning disabilities. At the Playhouse there is always a way to get involved. 
Leeds Playhouse’s Spring/Summer 2020 season is taking place back in the redeveloped theatre following a £15.8 million transformation. The new building offers improved access to and around the theatre, a new city-facing entrance and a new studio theatre, the Bramall Rock Void.

Following a critically acclaimed season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2019 Richard Stott has announced his debut UK Tour. 

“DEFINITELY ONE TO WATCH OUT FOR.” 
«««« Broadway Baby 

Richard was born with Poland Syndrome making him lopsided with a misshapen hand and missing pectoral muscle. Following life changing surgery he now has toes for fingers on his left hand and in this unflinchingly honest show he examines body image, mental health and being disabled in an image-obsessed world. 
This fast paced romp through the taboos of being different combines anarchic storytelling and acidic punchlines learning how to roll with the hand life dealt him and draw humour from what we are told is humourless. 

“A THOROUGHLY ENJOYABLE HOUR…HE’S MANAGED TO MAKE IT STAND OUT AMONGST A MYRIAD OF WEAKER SHOWS” 
«««« The Skinny 

Originating from Hull, Richard is an actor, comedian, voiceover artist and writer. Having gained a degree in theatre from The Arden (Awarded by Manchester University) he went on to a postgraduate in acting at Drama Studio London where he has since given workshops in show creation. 
As an actor and voiceover artist, Richard has worked for Swinton Insurance and Greenwich & Lewisham Young People’s Theatre amongst others. 

Richard was diagnosed with Poland Syndrome as a child and has been interviewed by BBC No Filter and London Live about his experiences of body dysmorphic disorder and mental health conditions. He recently appeared on the Nihal Arthanayke Show on BBC 5 Live and Union Jack Radio’s Minds Over Matter podcast. 

“STOTT IS ADEPT AT MINING HIS EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR COMEDIC VALUE. REMINISCENT OF JONATHAN PIE…WELL WORTH YOUR TIME.” 
«««« Three Weeks 


Right Hand Man is supported by Arts Council England 


stottcollaborateandlisten.home.blog | RichardStottComedy | @TheRStott the_rstott

Pop on a hard hat, a lamp and go an adventure 140 m underground into England’s last deep coalmine.
Chat to charismatic former-miners as they tell the tales of their mining careers and the men, women, children, animals and equipment that worked the coal mines for centuries before them. Hear how mining lingo, hardships and dangers shape how we live our lives today...
PLUS FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY... You can experience a night shift down the pit in to raise funds to go directly to provide emergency winter fuel grants for local families suffering the harsh effects of the cold weather. 
Community Foundation Wakefield District are looking for teams of people to Spend a Night Shift down the Pit with BBC Look North's Harry Gration.

Your team will go underground at 11.00pm on Wednesday 5th February before resurfacing at 1.00am.
Following a successful launch of this year’s Winter Fuel Challenge, where £16,600 was raised, you're invited to join us and Yorkshire Families to go on this adventure in aid of a great cause!  

This unique event has already received support from Chadwick Lawrence, Direct Marketing, OE Electrical, Jolliffe Cork and the National Coal Mining Museum. You will be going underground with TV presenter, Harry Gration and others who are happy to start the New Year helping keep local families warm this Winter.   
If you and your friends/family/colleagues are interested in taking part in the event please contact: jon.ingham@wakefieldcf.org.uk.

​Alternatively, it is easy to sign up or donate via: www.justgiving.com/team/NightShift
 

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).