A heart-warming and breath taking retelling of a timeless classic, Sally Cookson’s take on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe brings the tale to life in a truly theatrical manner. Cookson has left no stone unturned when looking for ways to reinvent the well-loved Narnia, treating us to stunning musical numbers, physical theatre, audience participation and aerial acrobatics all rolled into one immersive masterpiece.
Courtesy of the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
‘A story of love, war and fizz powder…’
Kneehigh have stormed straight back onto the stage with the outrageous, spectacular assault on the senses that is their adaptation of Gunter Grass’ The Tin Drum. Blinding lights, ear piercing noises and the ever present scent of matchsticks really keeps you in the present, in awe of the spectacle that this incredible cast has created.
Courtesy of the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
It’s always so interesting to see a show that not only evokes emotion, but teaches you something new and brings communities together. Partition tells the tale of a young couple –Saim, a young Muslim girl (Mez Galaria) and her Sikh fiancée Ranjit (Darren Kuppan) – on their wedding day, facing this momentous occasion without their families due to their religious differences based on the events that divided India 70 years ago. Originally written as a radio play in collaboration with BBC Radio Leeds (the first collaboration of its kind at the Playhouse) this production is a stripped back, emotive and intense look at the way the events of the past are still affecting the families of today.
Zodwa Nyoni’s outstanding, true to life story of love, loss and aspiration shows the struggle of the young people of Leeds to show the whole world what they’re made of. Ode to Leeds follows five young people of Leeds as they live their youth through poetry and their passion for the spoken word, and their journey to America for the Brand New Voice championships and the possibility of being crowned International Slam Champions.
Courtesy of West Yorkshire Playhouse.
In retelling Steinbeck’s classic tale of loss and desperation as the Joad family struggles across America in search of a new and better life during the Great Depression, this production sticks closely to its themes, but a little too closely to its original.
Courtesy of West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Simply put, this production is one to emote and inspire from beginning to end.
This thought provoking musical tells the tale of a young deaf and disabled boy who is struggling to come to terms with his father’s murder and the struggles he faces in the oppressive world around him, until the world learns of his incredible talent on the pinball machines his late father inspired him to play, allowing him to overcome adversity and sending him into a whirlwind of fame and success.
This adaptation of a comedic coming of age is one many will have heard of, but not enough would have seen. After this story was first told through a novel, then through film and eventually to the stage, director Lucy Bailey has no trouble throwing the audience straight into the hilarious, deep and thoughtful tale that is The Graduate, giving us a show that leaves its audience wanting more.
Courtesy of the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
‘A rose, by any other name would still be as sweet’… Director Amy Leach’s modern retelling of this timeless love story may have kept the name, but this dazzling reinterpretation challenges everything we think we know about Shakespeare’s classic tragedy, casting off the shackles of tradition and throwing its audience head first into an intense, passionate and touching tale of turmoil and true love.
Courtesy of West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Today, Rufus Norris, Artistic Director of the National Theatre, has announced what is coming up in the new season: Four world premieres, two European premieres and co-productions with Headlong, Fuel, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Out of Joint, and Improbable, featuring new work by Inua Ellams, Yaёl Farber, DC Moore, Lindsey Ferrentino and Nina Raine.
