Tucked away up a little side street in the centre of Leeds lives a real gem - a building which stands as a testament to the longevity of the arts: The City Varieties. The venue holds the grand position of being ‘the nation’s longest running music hall’ according to Guinness World Records in fact. Entertaining... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: Nottingham Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall
Though I’m now a Yorkshire lass, I was once Nottingham based and Nottingham Theatre Royal remains a favourite haunt of mine. I may get to visit it far less than I once did but there’s plenty to love about the very first theatre I remember visiting. The Theatre Royal is operated jointly with The Royal... Continue Reading →
Interview: Oddsocks Productions’ Elli Mackenzie & Andy Barrow
As an outdoor theatre company priding themselves on a party atmosphere and accessible entertainment for all, Oddsocks have been delighting audiences as an independent theatre company for just over 30 years. Their wonderful work bringing Shakespeare’s plays to life in brave and whacky ways places them firmly in my top five theatre companies line-up, so... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: York Theatre Royal
A trip to one of the best, most informative theatre websites around will tell you that York Theatre Royal is not only ‘one of the oldest theatres in the UK’ sitting in the very heart of York, but it is ‘the oldest continuously operating theatre company in the English speaking world.’ As a theatre which... Continue Reading →
Interview: Red Ladder Theatre’s Rod Dixon
With theatres shuttered for the time being, I’m going to be spending a lot more time chatting to creatives (at a safe distance, naturally), and the best of the situation is that I’m going to be keeping very good company if this cracking first interview of the lockdown is anything to go by. Rod Dixon,... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds
The Grand Theatre & Opera House Leeds? A theatre which truly lives up to its name. Take a look at the website for this grand institution and you can learn an awful lot about one of Leeds’ star attractions. In short, it ‘was built in 1878, cost a total of £62,000 and took 13 months... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: Harrogate Theatre
Built in 1900 and now featuring both main stage and studio performance spaces alongside an impressive array of beautiful finer details, Harrogate Theatre is definitely a favourite of mine. Here’s five things to love about it... 1. The team. Rachel Auty departs next month but she’s been an amazing contact as Press Officer and has... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: Grand Opera House York
A set of buildings re-purposed for theatre and previously named the S.S Empire, this theatre (now run by ATG) has been through a range of revamps and reincarnations over the years. Now, from hosting touring productions to offering its own panto each year, the Grand Opera House York is a pretty fabulous theatre. Here’s five... Continue Reading →
5 Things to Love About: Leeds Playhouse
‘FOUNDED IN 1970, RELOCATED IN 1990, AND RELAUNCHED IN 2018, THE LEEDS PLAYHOUSE IS A THEATRE AT THE HEART OF THE CITY AND REGION WE CALL HOME.’ Artistic Director James Brining and Executive Director Robin Hawkes have been steering this theatre from strength to strength. From the recent re-brand which saw the theatre transform from... Continue Reading →