Alan Bennett joins 1001 Stories at Leeds Playhouse

Local legend Alan Bennett makes a rare public appearance at Leeds Playhouse to join 1001 Stories that gives a voice to the pioneering generations who have lived life to the full and are still here to share their incredible stories.

As part of this innovative two-week takeover from 24th April to May 4th, the multi award winning actor, author, playwright and screenwriter, best known for The Madness of King George, The History Boys and The Lady in the Van, will return to his home city just days before his 89th birthday on May 7th.

1001 Voices was originated by Leeds-based The Performance Ensemble, and developed with Leeds Playhouse, Leeds Older People’s Forum, Leeds Museums and Galleries and Leeds 2023 to give a voice to share incredible stories of love and family, of the everyday and the extraordinary.

Bennett is joined during the festival by John Fox and Sue Gill, who pioneered outdoor cultural spectaculars through their company Welfare State International from 1968 to 2006. They are leading on an opening event that will include live music and projections, Radical Acts of Being Human, as an immersive digital installation by multidisciplinary creative studio Field bringing to life all 1001 stories of Leeds residents, past and present.  

“Having Alan Bennett join our 1001 Stories programme is a wonderful affirmation that creativity doesn’t stop as you get older; he continues to be an astute, satirical and engaging force, still creating incredible work well into his 80s,” says Artistic Director of The Performance Ensemble and Director of Sinfonia Alan Lyddiard.

“John Fox and Sue Gill started the pioneering company Welfare State International in Yorkshire in 1968 and I am delighted that they have been able to return to Leeds to be part of this project. They are great bookends to the takeover, and we feel very honoured that they, and all the many participants involved, are joining us on this journey.  

“1001 Stories isn’t just for older people, it’s for all ages to enjoy, to experience and understand the narratives and lives of the older members of our society, who are just as relevant and vocal today as they were in their younger days.”

The full programme of events can be found on Leeds Playhouse’s website.  

Tickets for In Conversation with Alan Bennett are on sale to Leeds Playhouse’s Priority Access, Playhouse Pass Members from Wednesday 5th April, with tickets on general sale from Wednesday 12th April. https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/