Leeds Playhouse Archives - Page 11 of 11

Imitating the dog are the first company to get back on the road

5Oct

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Interviews, NEWS

Imitating the dog are the first company to get back on the road

If you had to put your money on any company having the balls to get back on the road in the midst of a pandemic a strong favourite would be imitating the dog. Over the last 20 years they have never been afraid of a challenge and they have been busy devising a new outdoor show Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show that kicks off a national tour at Leeds Playhouse. Co-Artistic Director Pete Brooks is hard at work with the cast at the Playhouse but says that a company famed for their innovative use of technology are taking inspiration from an ancient theatrical tradition for their latest adventure. “It’s not set in mediaeval times, but it’s a sort of mediaeval morality tale when groups of traveling players told stories,” says Pete in a break from final rehearsals. “The idea is that there is...

Imelda Staunton and Maxine Peake perform Talking Heads in Leeds and Sheffield

23Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Imelda Staunton and Maxine Peake perform Talking Heads in Leeds and Sheffield

In a massive coup for Leeds Playhouse and Sheffield Theatres two of the nation’s best actors Imelda Staunton and Maxine Peake will be performing two of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads monologues in his native Yorkshire. The transfers of Staunton in A Lady of Letters and Peake in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet from the Bridge Theatre are a show of solidarity with the two Yorkshire venues by the performers and the creative teams of these two pieces. For these performances, as at the Bridge, Alan Bennett has generously waived his royalty. During April and May while the Bridge Theatre was closed the London Theatre Company worked with the BBC to produce two of the iconic monologues, which were then broadcast on BBC One in June. Leeds Playhouse has already announced Connecting Voices, a colla...

Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show opens at Leeds Playhouse

16Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show opens at Leeds Playhouse

imitating the dog and Leeds Playhouse are joining forces once again for the première of the raucous and dark Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show. This show is part of Leeds Playhouse’s reopening season to safely reintroduce audiences to the live theatre experience. Directed and written by imitating the dog’s Co-artistic Directors Andrew Quick and Pete Brooks they open outside on Playhouse Square from the 7th – 8th October and tour until 24th October. imitating the dog bring all their theatrical and technical acumen to this unique outdoor live theatre experience creating a tale of mischief and immorality, drawing on classic horror movies and the traditions of carnival and medicine shows. It’s set in a mythical 'North' as Dr Blood and his motley crew tell a tale of the price paid for pur...

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North join forces for socially distanced live shows

13Sep

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Leeds Playhouse and Opera North join forces for socially distanced live shows

It’s now six months since live theatre was first locked down but Leeds Playhouse are back joining forces with Opera North for a series of socially distanced live events over three weekends. Connecting Voices will take place across the various stages within the Playhouse bringing together artists and audiences safely to examine the power and expression of the solo voice as they re-engage people in communal creative activity. Orpheus in the Record Store is a newly commissioned piece by Leeds based beatboxer Testament and director Aletta Collins fusing spoken word and beatboxing with players from the Orchestra of Opera North that gives the Greek myth of Orpheus a contemporary Yorkshire twist. "There is much to say and share right now, and I passionately believe theatre has an a...

BBC England’s Rozina Breen becomes Chair of Leeds Playhouse

9Aug

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

BBC England’s Rozina Breen becomes Chair of Leeds Playhouse

BBC England’s Head of North Rozina Breen will be the new Chair of the Board at Leeds Playhouse leading the theatre’s recovery plans for when it reopens its doors after the pandemic. Rozina succeeds Sir Rodney Brooke, who steps down after a decade as Chair, and current board member Neil Adleman will be her Vice Chair As Head of North for BBC England, and previously Head of News for BBC 5 Live, Rozina Breen has been a real ambassador for the north. She thrives on telling untold stories in new and creative ways to amplify the narrative of the region. Neil Adleman is a Partner at market leading law firm Harbottle & Lewis, where he heads the firm’s theatre group. Neil was previously a Trustee and then Chair of Sheffield Theatres Trust until 2015, before becoming a Trustee at Le...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe delays until Christmas 2021

3Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe delays until Christmas 2021

In agreement with the producers, The Lowry have reluctantly rescheduled their 2020 Christmas show - the acclaimed production of The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe – to Christmas 2021. Existing ticket holders have already been contacted. NEW ticket bookings can be made via https://tinyurl.com/ycj58waa Direct from London, the acclaimed production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is coming to the Lowry next Christmas. Step through the wardrobe this winter into the magical kingdom of Narnia for the most mystical of adventures in a faraway land. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and say hello to a talking Faun, an unforgettable Lion and the coldest, cruellest White Witch. The nations favourite novel, now on the stage. This critically acclai...