SS2020 Brochure Lowresweb.Pdf

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WELCOME Spring marks our first full season in and disabled actors, including fully We’re kicking off our celebration of And we’ll be touring Not so the new Leeds Playhouse and it’s integrated accessible performances Refugee Week with Freedom Project, Ugly Sisters to Community more jam-packed than ever as we across the run in the Quarry, before a new play by northern writer Luke Partner areas across Leeds a continue to work with our partners it heads out on a national tour. Our Barnes, co-curated with refugees and real highlight of the year. locally, nationally and internationally. industry-leading theatre and dementia asylum seekers. And we’re producing We’re collaborating with: the cutting work sees us take a next bold step with exciting work in the Bramall Rock Void, We’re so proud of what’s been edge imitating the dog to bring you a fully dementia friendly run of from Tess Seddon’s story of running in achieved through our redevelopment. the horror classic Night of the Living Maggie May (in co-production the General Election in Say Yes to Tess, Rather than it being the end of a Dead; Kani Public Arts Centre in with Curve and Queen’s Theatre to Dr Korczak’s Example and seeds, a long journey, it feels as if we’re at Japan as we co-produce the gripping Hornchurch); a play written by powerful new play by Mel Pennant the beginning of the next great Missing People; and closer to home Frances Poet through the support from industry leading theatre chapter for this vital theatre in this

we work with northern powerhouse of our Furnace programme and in company tiata fahodzi. extraordinary city. Photography by David Lindsay Opera North to reimagine A Little Night consultation with people living with Music for our epic Quarry Stage. dementia through our award-winning Plus a wealth of companies are Leeds Playhouse is Open. Join us. Creative Engagement programme. coming home to the Playhouse We take the lead in our Ramps on You can read more about both including Kneehigh, Red Ladder James Brining & Robin Hawkes the Moon partnership with Oliver programmes over the page. and Phoenix Dance Theatre. Joint Chief Executives Twist, performed by a cast of D/deaf

4 5 FURNACE CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT Furnace is our artistic development Projects Creative Engagement is our programme Playhouse Older People engine. It’s where we develop We are a home for independent of thrilling participation projects Dynamic and pioneering audacious local artists and vital new artists to explore new ideas – that embrace our city, opening up projects with older adults theatre for our stages. Through to try, fail and try again. possibilities for everyone regardless of Playhouse Communities Furnace, we develop: their age, circumstances or background. Our Programme Connecting stories, creativity We have four main strands of activity: We make space for the Playhouse’s lead and people of all ages People artists to play and innovate, developing We develop theatre artists from across Playhouse Youth Theatre of Sanctuary a diverse programme for our audiences. the region, at all stages of their careers. Inspiring projects for young We are also proud to be the UK’s Partnerships people aged 5 – 25 first Theatre of Sanctuary and strive We work in partnership with arts to provide safe, creative spaces for Playhouse Education organisations locally, nationally refugees and asylum seekers. Supporting creativity in schools and internationally to nurture a and formal education resilient creative ecology. Join the Furnace Social Club Take part in something brilliant leedsplayhouse.org.uk/Furnace leedsplayhouse.org.uk/creative-engagement Photography by Anthony Robling

the emerald foundation 6 7

A Leeds Playhouse COURTYARD production 25 JAN – 15 FEB FROM £14

AGE 15+ 1942. The Warsaw ghetto. Sixteen year old AD, BSL, CAP DR Adzio is stealing to survive. Invited to escape the streets by Dr Korczak, Adzio must learn to live harmoniously with the other 200 children cared KORCZAK’S for in the orphanage, where he’s safe for now.

But Dr Korczak is nervous despite his influence in EXAMPLE the ghetto. Rumours are spreading about people By David Greig being moved out of the city on trains and not coming back. Tempers and temperatures are Director James Brining rising, food is scarce. Everyone wants to survive. Experience the powerful and enduring true story of Dr Janusz Korczak, a Polish educator and children’s author who championed the rights of young people, believing every child has the right to freedom, respect and love.

A Leeds Playhouse and imitating the dog 24 JAN – 15 FEB co-production

Directors Seven strangers take refuge from flesh eating Andrew Quick ‘ghouls’ in an isolated farmhouse. As the night and Pete Brooks draws in, their situation becomes desperate, hope turns to despair, and the picket-fence NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEADTM – American dream is smashed apart. REMIX is presented by courtesy of Image Ten, Inc. Seven performers enter the stage armed with ‘imitating the dog, cameras, a box of props and a rail of costumes. a company at the Can they recreate the film, shot-for-shot before our forefront of testing the eyes, using whatever they can lay their hands on? BRAMALL nature of theatre.’ 50 years after the release of George A. ROCK VOID The Guardian Romero’s politically charged zombie movie, FROM £14 imitating the dog and Leeds Playhouse create a love-song to the original 1960s film, AGE 12+ retelling it as a searing story for now. AD, BSL, CAP 8 9

Phoenix Dance Theatre present 12 – 15 FEBRUARY QUARRY FROM £14 Phoenix Dance Theatre’s powerful new AGE 10+ BLACK performance celebrates hope and freedom in a show fusing contemporary dance and classical kathak Indian dance. WATERS Historical events inspire this emotionally Choreography by Sharon evocative production, exploring the long- Watson, Shambik Ghose lasting effects of British colonial forces. and Dr Mitul Sengupta In the late 18th Century 130 slaves were thrown overboard from the Zong ship as the owners of the ship attempted to make a profit from their life insurance. Over 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 from despair, people find value, inspiration and hope. Photography by Steve Tanner. Illustration by Daryl Waller Conceived by Carl Grose, 4 – 8 FEBRUARY Charles Hazlewood and Mike Shepherd We all know an Ubu. That deranged Created by the Company dictator we all love to hate!

Based on the Impossibly greedy, unstoppably crude, play by Alfred Jarry inexorably daft and hell-bent on making the country great again! Sound familiar?

Based on Alfred Jarry’s riot-inducing masterpiece, Kneehigh will let rip with their own version of theatre’s most anarchic creation. Expect world-class buffoonery in this deliriously unhinged promenade musical. Featuring some of the most iconic anthems of our times, given a fresh rub for their money by a QUARRY belting Kneehigh band, plus an extraordinary choir of extras – you! – we guarantee this will be a rocking, FROM £14 rollicking riot of ridiculousness that you won’t forget. He’ll rise! He’ll reign! Only together will we make Ubu fall! 10 11 THE BEAR COURTYARD Adapted by Pins and Needles Productions FROM £14 From the book by Raymond Briggs AGE 3 – 8 18 – 22 FEBRUARY

One night when she’s fast asleep, Tilly is visited by an enormous bear. It has a big black tongue and a yawn as big as your head. But Tilly’s not scared. So bring a bear, and join Tilly on a wild and magical adventure for the whole family. ‘Move over War Horse this polar puppet is magic.’ The Guardian

IN THE NIGHT GARDEN...LIVE QUARRY FROM £15 15 – 16 APRIL AGE 0+ Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their fun-filled live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day. Join Igglepiggle as he looks for his friends in the Night Garden by following their funny sounds until he finds them all! Pip-pip, onk-onk! There are other shows for young children, but as The Independent wrote, ‘there’s nothing quite like In the Night Garden Live.’

SWEET DREAMS

BRAMALL Presented by tutti frutti productions ROCK VOID By Mike Kenny FROM £10 AGE 3+ 16 MAY

A new play about the wonders and benefits of sleep. If you can’t sleep, won’t sleep or love sleep there is something in this show for you. With sublime music and beautiful design, tutti frutti invites you to their new show made of dreams. 12 13

A Leeds Playhouse COURTYARD production 28 FEBRUARY – 21 MARCH FROM £14 In co-production with Ramps on the Moon AGE 12+ Born into poverty and misfortune, Oliver Twist AD, BSL, CAP By Bryony Lavery escapes the workhouse for a life of adventure where he joins the Artful Dodger, Fagin and their Based on the novel mischievous gang of pick pockets. But the enjoyment by Charles Dickens is short lived as he falls under the influence of the vicious Bill Sykes. Director Amy Leach This bold, brutal and beautiful new version of Oliver Ramps On The Moon is a Twist sends you on a dark adventure through the pioneering initiative committed to putting D/deaf and disabled twisted streets of London. Adapted by award-winning artists and audiences at the centre of their work. playwright Bryony Lavery, every performance of Oliver Twist will feature the use of integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning.

Photography by Mihaela Bodlovic Leeds Playhouse and The Royal Lyceum 25 – 29 FEBRUARY Theatre Edinburgh present Tron Theatre Company and Blood of Six young women have a story to tell. You might the Young’s have seen them emptying the chamber pots, making sure those above stairs find their happy ending. Of course, they’ve always been running the show – after all ‘You can’t have a whirlwind PRIDE & romance without clean bedding’ – but tonight, the servants are also playing every part. PREJUDICE Men, money and microphones will be fought (*SORT OF) over in this loving and irreverent all-female adaptation of Jane Austen’s unrivalled literary With co-producers Birmingham classic. Let the ruthless match-making begin! Repertory Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage, Nuffield Southampton Theatres and Oxford Playhouse. The Herald QUARRY By Isobel McArthur The Telegraph In association with Sponsored by our FROM £14 after Jane Austen What’s On Stage Access Partner AGE 11+ Director Paul Brotherston AD, BSL, CAP, RP

14 15 BRAMALL ROCK VOID seeds COURTYARD a little space FROM £14 FROM £14 tiata fahodzi and Wrested Veil in association with A Gecko and Mind the Gap co-production AGE 14+ Leeds Playhouse, Soho Theatre and Tara Finney AGE 12+ Commissioned by HOME, Manchester and Productions The Place, London BSL AD Director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour 6 – 7 MARCH 21 – 29 FEBRUARY

What does it mean to you to have a little space? ‘What would you do to save your son? Everything? A little space where we can escape the world and be Anything? Lie?’ ourselves. Where we can say whatever we want, do On Michael Thomas’ birthday, his cake sits in his whatever we feel and where no-one will ever bother us. mother’s living room, its candles burning undisturbed. But it can be an unpredictable space too, where voices Jackie wants to clear her conscience, whilst Evelyn’s are funnelled away, fears leak through the floorboards, got a big speech to deliver on the 15th anniversary of songs light up the room and you never know who’s Michael’s fatal stabbing. Are some things better left listening behind the door. A place where whispers come unsaid? to life and one kind gesture could change everything. Sensitively written by Mel Pennant and shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award, seeds tells the story of two mothers united in sorrow.

SMILE CLUB

Presented by Red Ladder Theatre Company By Andrea Heaton & Adam Z. Robinson

5 – 7 MARCH

Come on love, cheer up, it might never happen. Meet Lisa, a Smile Club attendee. Lisa’s been through it BRAMALL all and she now knows that nobody likes a girl who makes ROCK VOID a fuss. A darkly comic, searingly satirical new one woman show set in a dystopian world where a government drive FROM £14 exists to tame unruly women. AGE 12+

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COURTYARD BRAMALL A GIRL IN SCHOOL UNIFORM FROM £14 ROCK VOID FROM £14 (WALKS INTO A BAR) AGE 12+ AD, BSL AGE 14+ Presented by Holy What Originally supported and developed by Leeds Playhouse

12 – 14 MARCH

It’s the future (just). There are black outs. No one knows why. When a girl goes missing, two young women must venture into the darkness to find her, taking us with them... An unnerving drama about crisis, darkness, cities and hope, by award-winning writer Lulu Raczka and director Ali Pidsley.

‘A resounding shot in the dark’ The Guardian

A Leeds Playhouse and Kani Public Arts Centre 12 – 21 MARCH FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN co-production A Headlong and Lyric Hammersmith Theatre co-production. In association with Birmingham By Brad Birch Repertory Theatre ‘It’s like having a ghost in the house.’ Sakiko is Director Mark nervous. She’s introducing her fiancée Dan to her By Chris Bush Rosenblatt parents at her family home in Kani, Japan. Director Caroline Byrne A thrilling, bilingual show and first co-production between They’re breaking the news that their wedding will be Leeds Playhouse and Kani in London, where they’ve built their lives. Sakiko’s Public Arts Center in Japan, performed in Japanese and brother Hiroki, the ‘perfect child’ with an impressive 24 – 28 MARCH English with surtitles. career in corporate law, got married much closer to home – with her parents’ blessing of course. ‘My name is Johanna Faustus. I was born almost But under the surface, something isn’t right. Her four hundred years ago.I gave my soul to achieve the mother is acting strangely, her father is gone for impossible. I might be damned, but I would save the hours and a strange figure waits in the garden. world to spite the Devil.’ COURTYARD

To See You At Last – 19 & 20 MARCH In this radical retelling of the Faustus myth, one FROM £14 Join us for Missing People’s pre-show companion woman makes the ultimate sacrifice – selling her soul piece exploring connections and reunions, created AGE 12+ in order to change the course of history. But can she and performed by Playhouse Youth members now escape eternal damnation? who took part in a UK/Japan exchange in 2019. AD, BSL 18 19

Tess Seddon in balletLORENT present association with 26 MARCH – 4 APRIL 27 – 28 MARCH Leeds Playhouse

By Tess Seddon with ‘Anyone can be a politician, even you.’ THE LOST What happens when the Happy Endings are stolen? songs by Harry Blake Tess has moved back to Leeds after a break up. Deep in the forest lives a magical girl named Co-directed by Temping at a call centre and trying to survive a frosty HAPPY Jub. Her job is to guard the Happy Endings Tess Seddon house-share, she’s feeling lost, until she meets the to stories and fairytales. But one day a Witch and Harry Blake Yorkshire Party and is inspired to stand in the 2017 UK steals them, and the stories are destroyed... General Election. ENDINGS Goldilocks changed the locks on Thrust into the spotlight, Tess takes the Yorkshire An original story by the three bears’ cottage... Party’s passion for people, park & rides and Yorkshire Carol Ann Duffy retold Cinderella’s foot is now too big for the glass slipper… devolution to the streets, finding friends in unlikely as dance theatre for places. But with the General Election getting ever- family, narrated by Little Red Riding Hood is gobbled up by the wolf… closer, she starts to question whether she’s doing the Joanna Lumley right thing. Packed with spirit, adventure and glorious Supported by Leeds surprises, this fantasy family show will Dance Partnership delight generations both old and young.

BRAMALL QUARRY ROCK VOID FROM £14 FROM £14 AGE 5+ BSL 20 21

A Leeds Playhouse, QUARRY Curve and Queen’s 31 MARCH – 18 APRIL FROM £14 Theatre Hornchurch co-production AGE 12+ ‘They say we’re like swans. Ruddy beautiful graceful things on the surface of a lake but underneath we’re BSL By Frances Poet paddling like mad.’ Director Maggie and Gordon first met in 1971 dancing to the Jemima Levick sound of Rod Stewart. Now in their sixties, and still

Originally commissioned as very much in love, they’ve been finishing each other’s part of Every Third Minute songs all their marriage. But now Maggie is feeling which was funded through a Celebrating Age grant from foggy and some days the songs are all she can Arts Council England and The Baring Foundation remember. An extraordinary play about an ordinary Leeds family, balancing the challenges of daily life whilst living with dementia. All performances of Maggie May are dementia friendly. They are suitable for and warmly welcome people living with dementia and their supporters as well as all audience members.

Originally produced by Nottingham Playhouse 31 MARCH – 4 APRIL Theatre Company and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Based on Khaled Hosseini’s international bestselling novel, this haunting tale of friendship spans cultures

and continents, and follows one man’s journey to Adapted by confront his past and find redemption. Matthew Spangler Afghanistan is a country on the verge of war Based on the novel by and best friends are about to be torn apart. It’s a Khaled Hosseini beautiful afternoon in Kabul, the skies are full of colour and the streets are full of the excitement of a COURTYARD Director Giles Croft kite flying tournament, but no one can foresee the FROM £14 terrible incident that will shatter their lives forever. AGE 11+ ‘The best page-to-stage show since War Horse…. a spellbinding production’ The Stage AD, BSL, CAP, DF 22 23

A Leeds Playhouse, QUARRY Red Ladder and 8 – 18 APRIL FROM £14 Wrongsemble co-production AGE 8+ Dolly rests on her broom counting the passers-by outside the salon window, whilst her sister Barb watches the phone that never rings. It’s the morning of Cindy and Prince Smarming’s big royal wedding - but Dolly and Barb are not invited! Hell hath no fury like a hairdresser scorned! A brand new musical re-telling of Cinderella from the perspective of the ‘Not So’ Ugly Sisters.

COMMUNITY TOUR – APRIL & MAY

The Children’s Theatre Partnership and Royal & 7 – 11 APRIL Derngate Northampton present the Nottingham Playhouse production of Stanley Yelnats can’t catch a break. Born into a family cursed with bad luck, it comes as no surprise when he finds himself accused of a crime he didn’t commit.

Sent to a labour camp as punishment, he is tasked HOLES with digging one hole, five-foot-wide by five-foot-

By Louis Sachar deep, every day. He’s told it is to build ‘character’, but the tyrannical Warden is hiding something. How will Stanley and his fellow inmates deal with her demands and will Stanley and his new friends unearth what’s ‘Storytelling at its best. really going on? BRAMALL An absolute must see’ ROCK VOID What’s good to do A thrilling off-beat comedy, perfect for adults and children aged 8 and up. FROM £10

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An Actors Touring Company, Orange Tree 5 – 9 MAY COURTYARD Theatre and Theatre Royal Plymouth FROM £14 production A violinist. Living in her trendy canal-side Amsterdam AD apartment. Nine months pregnant. By Maya Arad Yasur One day a mysterious unpaid gas bill from 1944 Director Matthew Xia arrives. It awakens unsettling feelings of collective identity, foreignness and alienation. Stories of a devastating past are compellingly reconstructed to try and make sense of the present.

The UK premiere of a strikingly original and audacious play. ‘Enormously rewarding’ Lyn Gardner AMSTERDAM

A Northern Broadsides production 21 – 25 APRIL

Phoebe Throssel lives on Quality Street, the bustling QUALITY hub of a quaint northern town where she runs a school for unruly children.

Ten years since a tearful goodbye, an old flame STREET returns. But the look of disappointment on Captain COURTYARD By J.M. Barrie Valentine’s face when he greets a more mature Phoebe spurs our determined heroine to action, FROM £14 becoming the wild and sparkling Miss Livvy. Director Laurie Sansom AGE 14+ As their romance is rekindled, can she juggle both personas? Or will her deception scandalise the town? BSL

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A Leeds Playhouse and Opera North 9 MAY - 6 JUNE co-production

Music and Lyrics by A chance meeting between ex-lovers sparks Stephen Sondheim a game of romantic musical chairs over a weekend in the country, as hopelessly Book by Hugh Wheeler mismatched couples find themselves confronted by their own vanities and deceptions. Director James Brining Glistening with wit and romance, composer

Original orchestrations by Sondheim’s tantalising tale flirts with Jonathan Tunick. Suggested musical theatre and opera, and includes by a film by Ingmar Bergman. the classic song Send in the Clowns. Originally Produced and Directed on Broadway by Harold Prince. Featuring members of the Orchestra and Performed by arrangement Chorus of Opera North, and directed by the with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited. Playhouse’s Artistic Director James Brining, expect a glorious evening that is heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.

QUARRY FROM £14 AD, BSL, CAP

28 29 Photography by The Other Richard Presented by A Jamal Gerald, Out of Joint, Cast Transform and Theatre 22 – 23 MAY and Kiln Theatre 19 – 23 MAY in the Mill co-production

A daring and unapologetic examination Of all my years of growing up, I grew up in 1962… of religion, pop culture and Black representation. The Glee Club, made up of five hard-working, hard- THE GLEE Who would you rather pray to? Beyoncé drinking miners and a church organist, is preparing or white Jesus? for the local gala. Though they’re established in IDOL CLUB the working men’s clubs, they aren’t exactly at the Jamal grew up Catholic in a Caribbean vanguard of a musical revolution. By Jamal Gerald household but would rather light a candle By Richard Cameron and worship celebrities than white saints. This is the summer of ’62. Britain and music are about Combining African diasporic ritual, music to change, so too are the lives of these six men. Will Director and storytelling, Idol asks what happens anything ever be the same again? Kate Wasserberg when you don’t see yourself represented.

COURTYARD BRAMALL ROCK VOID FROM £14 FROM £14 AGE 14+ AGE 16+ AD, CAP BSL 30 31 COURTYARD Sh!t Theatre with Show And Tell FROM £14 BRAMALL and Soho Theatre present ROCK VOID AGE 14+ FROM £14 AD, BSL SH!T THEATRE DRINK RUM CAP, DF AGE 14+ WITH EXPATS

4 – 6 JUNE

Island-monkeys Becca and Louise got invited to the 2018 European Capital of Culture in Malta (having missed out on Hull last year). They went to drink rum with Brits abroad but found a lot more than they expected. From our small island in the sea to another small island in the sea, they found mystery and murder in the fight to be European.

‘Sh!t Theatre’s irreverent, energetic, rum-fuelled new show is the company’s best yet’ The Stage

Presented by ARC Stockton, Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley In association with Leeds Playhouse

A Leeds Playhouse & Nottingham Playhouse 27 MAY – 13 JUNE co-production THESE HILLS ARE OURS

By Daniel Bye and Boff Whalley ‘You don’t have to stay in the gutter just because you were born there…’

PIAF Born Edith Gassion in 1915, no one could have 26 – 27 JUNE By Pam Gems predicted Edith Piaf’s phenomenal rise to fame – from singing in the streets of Paris to Director Adam Penford becoming one of France’s biggest international Do you ever want to run away from it all? stars. But her extraordinary talent was matched Dan and Boff did exactly that: they ran a with an equally extraordinary personal life… series of routes from the centre of the city Pam Gems’ sensational play explores the enigmatic in which they found themselves, to the top yet fragile singer’s life and features some of Piaf’s of the peak overlooking that city. But what BRAMALL ROCK VOID most famous songs, including La Vie en Rose, are we really running from? Hymne à l’amour and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien. FROM £14 In story and in song, These Hills Piaf stars Tony-nominated and Olivier Award- Are Ours explores what they found out AGE 14+ winning actress Jenna Russell in the title role. on those journeys. 32 33

A Leeds Playhouse and Young Vic Taking Part 12 – 13 JUNE COURTYARD co-production FROM £14

By Luke Barnes ‘Time passes like treacle over oranges right now and AGE 12+ not like water over rocks.’ CAP Original Concept by Alexander Ferris and The Small One has a family, but it’s not his family. He Rob Lehmann has a home, but it’s not his home. The Big One has just arrived, placed in the room with Directors another ‘brown face’ but this is not the face of his Alexander Ferris brother, it is the face of his enemy. and Rachael Nanyonjo When you have experienced war, you pick your battles. They roll over and go to sleep. Freedom Project brings together the UK’s first two Theatres of Sanctuary. Written with unaccompanied child refugees and asylum seekers living in Leeds and London, this poignant story welcomes you to explore what it means to be free in this country.

Rhum and Clay Theatre Company presents 30 JUNE – 4 JULY

‘No-one would have believed in the early years of the THE WAR OF twentieth century that this world was being watched...’ But we did believe.

We believed that Martians landed in New Jersey. We THE WORLDS believed a water tower was an alien war machine. FREEDOM Co-produced by We believed a man walked on the moon. We believe Brighton Festival, everything the internet tells us and now the end of the HOME Manchester, world is being broadcast live... New Theatre Royal, PROJECT Portsmouth and Nuffield Inspired by H.G. Wells’ sci-fi novel and Orson Welles’ Southampton Theatres classic radio play, this legendary science fiction thriller is playfully reimagined for our era of Fake News and Written with Isley Lynn ‘alternative facts’. BRAMALL Originally commissioned ROCK VOID The Observer by New Diorama Theatre FROM £10 The Guardian

AGE 12+ WhatsOnStage

The Stage 34 35

A Leeds Playhouse production in 22 JUNE – 11 JULY association with the Roundhouse You’re invited to the wedding of the season! Book by Arpita Award-winning film director Mira Nair brings her Mukherjee exuberant and sumptuous film Monsoon Wedding and Sabrina Dhawan to life, in a new musical adaptation, set to light up the stage this summer. Music by Vishal Bhardwaj In Delhi, preparations are under way for a lavish, nonstop, four-day celebration to mark the arranged Lyrics by Masi Asare marriage of Aditi and Hemant. Aditi is the only and Susan Birkenhead daughter of an upper-middle-class family in India. She is about to meet her groom, an Indian- American from New Jersey. It should be the perfect wedding, but the bride is having an affair, her father is in financial trouble, and as members of the Verma family descend from around the world dark family secrets surface.

Prepare for a perfect storm of drama, love, hope, laughs, and a whole lot of rain! Monsoon Wedding opens at Leeds Playhouse directly prior to a London run at the Roundhouse.

QUARRY FROM £14 AD, BSL, CAP 36 37 CREATIVE ENGAGEMENT ONE NIGHTERS BE THE EXAMPLE, BE THE VOICE SCRATCH

16 – 21 MARCH 15 JAN, 10 MAR, 13 MAY BSL

A festival of work made with, for and by young people We invite theatre artists at every stage of their careers celebrating the power that comes from standing up for to send us ideas that they’d like to try out in front of

what you believe in. Original devised ensemble work the our audience, then invite the audience to feedback and emerald exploring resilience, protest, respect and empathy. foundation shape the future development of the work.

RIGHT HAND MAN NT CONNECTIONS 20 Richard Stott 28 APRIL – 2 MAY 4 MARCH

Join us at the Playhouse for our National Theatre Connections Festival, where 9 young companies Included in Dave’s Top 10 Jokes 2019 Richard Stott perform brand new plays commissioned especially for provides an hour of anarchic storytelling and acidic the theatre-makers of tomorrow. punchlines. A comedy that tackles issues of disability Bury Grammar School | CAPA College | Cockburn School | Connect4, and mental health head on with humour. Leeds City College | Merchant Taylors’ Girls School | Oldham College St Anselm’s College, Wirral | University Academy Keighley ‘Reminiscent of Johnathan Pie’ Three Weeks

OPEN SEASON RUSH: A JOYOUS JAMAICAN JOURNEY THROUGHOUT JULY A Rush Theatre company production

Our annual festival of community performance kicks off 18 APRIL again in July 2020. Take your place to see the very best that Leeds has to offer. Join us at this hugely entertaining and informative show Take part in something brilliant as we tell the story of Reggae music and the Windrush leedsplayhouse.org.uk/creative-engagement generation. With the music of Desmond Dekker and many more artists played live by the JA Reggae Band. 38 39

QUARRY ON SALE LEEDS CARNIVAL KING

1 JUN 2020 & QUEEN SHOW SEE MORE AND SAVE

Presented by Leeds West Indian Carnival With the Playhouse Pass membership scheme, you’ll be amongst the first to know about our shows each season, PLUS FOR ALL LEVELS 28 AUGUST and have the pick of the best seats - Priority Booking with priority booking. - Free ticket exchange up to 1 hour before the performance Leeds Carnival King and Queen Show is delighted to be back at Leeds Playhouse with spectacular costumes - £1 off Playhouse from across England, sounds of the soca beat, INDIVIDUAL PASS production programmes steelpans and much, much more. Who will be crowned £25 PER YEAR - Bar and restaurant Leeds Carnival King and Queen 2020? Discount for 1 ticket per discount (10%) Watch this space! production (15%)* - Invitation to our season launches - Regular e-newsletter DUAL PASS *Ticket discount applies to full price £30 PER YEAR tickets and is subject to availability. Discount for 2 tickets per production (15%)* For more information about Playhouse Pass contact the box office on 0113 213 7700 or visit the website. FAMILY / GROUP PASS £40 PER YEAR Discount for up to 6 tickets per production (15%)* A Leeds Playhouse 5 – 19 SEPT and Headlong co-production By August Wilson When regular cabs won’t travel to the Pittsburgh Hill District in 1977, local residents turn to the unlicensed Directed by taxi company of Jim Becker and his fellow ‘jitney’ Tinuke Craig drivers. When Becker’s son returns from prison, a Photography by The Other Richard struggle to reconcile the past begins and the future of the company and its drivers is threatened. Jitney explores the fragile bond between eight men, as COURTYARD they live, love and work in a racially segregated, post- Vietnam America. FROM £14

August Wilson is one of America’s greatest and most AD, BSL, CAP ambitious writers and Jitney is a ground breaking, modern classic. 40 41 We would like to thank all our generous funders and supporters, including: SUPPORT US MAJOR FUNDERS

We believe that everyone should have programme supports local theatre- access to theatre. makers and we offer more accessible performances each year. CAPITAL TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS Leeds Playhouse is a registered charity, every penny we make goes back into You can share in the magic as an the work we create for our stages individual or business and there are and the way we engage with the many opportunities and ways to communities. support this vital, life-changing work. With your help, our award-winning, To find out more please contact our sector leading Creative Engagement Fundraising and Development team. Arnold Burton Charitable Trust. R E Chadwick Charitable Trust, The Peter Black Charitable Trust team works with over 11,000 people 0113 213 7256 each year, our Furnace development [email protected] MAJOR DONORS

Sir Rodney and Dr Lady Clare Brooke

PRINCIPAL CAPITAL AND PRINCIPAL CAPITAL PARTNER ACCESS PARTNER

CAPITAL SUPPORTER CORPORATE PARTNERS

DIRECTORS’ CLUB Gold Members Silver Members Bronze Members Photography by Brinkhoff/Mögenburg

TRUSTS AND GRANTS

the emerald foundation

42 43 EAT. DRINK. CHAT.

FRONT PLAYHOUSE BAR VENUE HIRE COSTUME HIRE

Let us set the stage for your meetings, Located in our St Peter’s Square (Level 2) ROOM CAFÉ conferences and private events. building, explore our vast array of (Level 0) Call in or make an evening of it Make use of our brand new and costumes, let your imagination run wild by enjoying a craft beer, glass of unique events facilities featuring and create a unique outfit to impress. Join us for a pit-stop in our new wine of soft drink in our new look spectacular views across the city. As well as catering for individuals, café. Enjoy locally-ground barista contemporary large bar area next to our experienced team works with coffee, light breakfasts, tasty Roll out the red carpet for the Playhouse Kitchen. Our Terrace professional organisations, amateur cakes, sandwiches and pastries your guests, from family and Bar next to Box Office on Level 1 dramatic and education groups. in the main café area or upstairs friends to business partners and also caters for smaller groups. on the Mezzanine level. delegates, Leeds Playhouse is the For more information please Open pre and post performances. perfect place for your event! visit the website or email Monday - Friday 8am - 6pm [email protected] Saturday 9am - 6pm For more information please contact Kayleigh Wright, Conferencing and Open until 8pm on performance days. Playhouse 2 Events Sales Manager on FAMILY FACILITIES St Peter’s Building 0113 213 7276 or Facilities include activity stations 6 St Peter’s Square [email protected] throughout the building, baby Leeds change and family toilets, high-chairs LS9 8AH PLAYHOUSE KITCHEN and special catering options – all (Level 2) designed to welcome and support Our Playhouse Kitchen has been families in our new building. transformed to provide a relaxed, light atmosphere looking out at views of the heart of the city. Serving a variety of fresh food, from homemade BUILDING TOURS hearty meals to smaller bites, we Join us for a behind-the-scenes look cater for a range of dietary needs, around our amazing new theatre building. from vegan to dairy free options. You can find out what goes into putting Monday 11am - 4:30pm our productions on the stage and get an Tuesday 11am - 4:30pm insight into the history of Leeds Playhouse. Thursday 11am - 4:30pm Check the website or call the Box Office Friday 11am - 4:30pm for dates and availability. Places are limited Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm and booking in advance is essential. Saturday 9am - 4:30pm Photography by The Other Richard Open until 7.30pm on performance days.

44 45 DIARY Tue 17/03/20 Oliver ... 1:30pm RP & 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 7:45pm Be the Example, Be the Voice 7pm JAN QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Wed 18/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 7:45pm Be the Example, Be the Voice 7pm Fri 24/01/20 Wizard of Oz 7pm Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Thu 19/03/20 Oliver Twist 1:30 & 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 2pm, 7:45pm Be the Example, Be the Voice 3pm Sat 25/01/20 Wizard of Oz 1:30pm, 7pm Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Fri 20/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 7:45pm Be the Example, Be the Voice 6pm Mon 27/01/20 Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Sat 21/03/20 Oliver Twist 2pm & 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 2:30pm AD, 7:45pm Be the Example, Be the Voice 11:00am, 3:30pm Tue 28/01/20 Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm BSL Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm PSD Mon 23/03/20 Stewart Lee 7:30pm Wed 29/01/20 Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm BSL Tue 24/03/20 Stewart Lee 7:30pm Faustus 7:45pm Thu 30/01/20 Night of the Living Dead 2pm, 7.45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 2:15pm, 7:15pm Wed 25/03/20 Stewart Lee 7:30pm Faustus 7:45pm BSL PSD Fri 31/01/20 Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Thu 26/03/20 Faustus 2pm, 7:45pm Say Yes to Tess 8pm Fri 27/03/20 The Lost Happy Endings 7:30pm Faustus 7:45pm Say Yes to Tess 8pm BSL Sat 28/03/20 The Lost ... 1:30pm, 7:30pm Faustus 2:30 AD, 7:45pm Say Yes to Tess 2:45pm, 8pm FEB QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Tue 31/03/20 The Kite Runner 7:15pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF

Sat 01/02/20 Night of ... 2:30pm, 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 2:45pm, 7:15pm Tue 04/02/20 Ubu 7:30pm Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm APR QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Wed 05/02/20 Ubu 7:30pm PSD Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Wed 01/04/20 The Kite Runner 7:15pm BSL PSD Maggie May 7:45pm BSL DF Thu 06/02/20 Ubu 1:30pm, 7:30pm Night of the Living Dead 2pm, 7.45pm Dr Korczak’s ... 2:15pm, 7:15pm AD Thu 02/04/20 The Kite Runner 1:15pm , 7:15pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF Say Yes to Tess 8pm Fri 07/02/20 Ubu 7:30pm Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm CAP Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Fri 03/04/20 The Kite Runner 1:15pm , 7:15pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF Say Yes to Tess 8pm Sat 08/02/20 Ubu 7:30pm Night of ... 2:30pm AD, 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s ... 2:45pm BSL, 7:15pm Sat 04/04/20 The Kite Runner 1:15pm , 7:15pm Maggie May 2:30pm DF 7:45pm DF Say Yes to Tess 2:45pm, 8pm Tue 11/02/20 Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Tue 07/04/20 Holes 1:30pm, 7:00pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF Wed 12/02/20 Black Waters 7:30pm Night of the Living Dead 7:45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm Wed 08/04/20 Holes 7:00pm Maggie May 7:45pm CAP DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 1:30pm Thu 13/02/20 Black Waters 7:30pm PSD Night of ... 2pm, 7.45pm AD Dr Korczak’s Example 2:15pm, 7:15pm Thu 09/04/20 Holes 1:30pm, 7:00pm Maggie May 2pm DF PSD, 7:45pm DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Fri 14/02/20 Black Waters 7:30pm Night of the Living Dead 7.45pm Dr Korczak’s Example 7:15pm CAP Sat 11/04/20 Holes 1:30pm, 7:00pm Maggie May 2:30pm BSL DF, 7:45pm DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Sat 15/02/20 Black Waters 7:30pm Night of ... 2:30pm BSL, 7.45pm Dr Korczak’s ... 2:45pm AD, 7:15pm Tue 14/04/20 Maggie May 2pm DF, 7:45pm DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Tue 18/02/20 The Bear 11:30am, 2:30pm Wed 15/04/20 In the Night Garden... 1pm, 4pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF PSD The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Wed 19/02/20 The Bear 11:30am, 2:30pm Thu 16/04/20 In the Night Garden... 10am, 1pm Maggie May 7:45pm DF AD The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Thu 20/02/20 The Bear 11:30am, 2:30pm Fri 17/04/20 Maggie May 7:45pm DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Fri 21/02/20 The Bear 11:30am, 2:30pm seeds 8pm Sat 18/04/20 Rush: The Musical 7:30pm Maggie May 2:30pm DF AD, 7:45pm DF The Not So Ugly Sisters 10:30am, 1:30pm Sat 22/02/20 The Bear 10am, 1pm, 4pm seeds 8pm Mon 20/04/20 Mon 24/02/20 seeds 8pm Tue 21/04/20 Quality Street 7:45pm Tue 25/02/20 Pride & Prejudice*(sort of) 7.45pm BSL seeds 8pm Wed 22/04/20 Quality Street 7:45pm AD Wed 26/02/20 Pride & Prejudice*(sort of) 7.45pm PSD seeds 8pm Thu 23/04/20 Quality Street 2pm, 7:45pm Thu 27/02/20 Pride & Prejudice*(sort of) 2pm, 7.45pm seeds 2:15pm, 8pm Fri 24/04/20 Quality Street 7:45pm PSD Fri 28/02/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Pride & Prejudice*(sort of) 7.45pm CAP seeds 8pm Sat 25/04/20 Quality Street 2:30pm, 7:45pm Sat 29/02/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Pride & Prejudice... 2.30pm AD, 7.45pm seeds 2:45 BSL, 8pm Tue 28/04/20 NT Connections Wed 29/04/20 NT Connections MAR QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Thu 30/04/20 NT Connections Fri 31/04/20 NT Connections Mon 02/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Tue 03/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Wed 04/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Richard Stott: Right Hand Man 8pm MAY QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Thu 05/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Smile Club 8pm Fri 06/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP a little space 2pm AD PSD, 7:45pm PSD Smile Club 8pm Fri 01/05/20 NT Connections Sat 07/03/20 Oliver Twist 2pm, 7:30pm AD BSL CAP a little space 7:45pm Smile Club 2:45pm, 8pm Sat 02/05/20 NT Connections Mon 09/03/20 Tue 05/05/20 Amsterdam 7:45pm Tue 10/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Scratch 8pm BSL Wed 06/05/20 Amsterdam 7:45pm BSL PSD Wed 11/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Thu 07/05/20 Amsterdam 2pm, 7:45pm Thu 12/03/20 Oliver ... 1:30pm & 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 7:45pm A Girl in School Uniform ... 8pm Sat 09/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm Amsterdam 2:30pm, 7:45pm Fri 13/03/20 Oliver Twist 7:30pm AD BSL CAP PSD Missing People 7:45pm A Girl in School Uniform ... 8pm PSD Tue 12/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm Sat 14/03/20 Oliver Twist 2pm & 7:30pm AD BSL CAP Missing People 2:30pm, 7:45pm A Girl in School Uniform ... 8pm Wed 13/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm Scratch 8pm BSL Mon 16/03/20 Missing People 7:45pm BSL Be the Example, Be the Voice 7pm 46 47

Where applicable, discounts apply ACCESSIBLE to students and children under 18 in fulltime education, Leeds Card Holders and anyone receiving disability or DIARY PERFORMANCES unemployment benefits. Discounted

Thu 14/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm AD – AUDIO DESCRIBED tickets are subject to availability and only Fri 15/04/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm BSL Commentary via personal headphones one discount is applicable per ticket. Sat 16/05/20 A Little Night Music 2pm, 7:30pm Sweet Dreams 10am, 1pm for blind and visually impaired people. Tue 19/05/20 The Glee Club 7:45pm PSD Call 0113 213 7700 Wed 20/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm The Glee Club 7:45pm Thu 21/05/20 A Little Night Music 1:30pm, 7:30pm The Glee Club 2pm, 7:45pm CAP BSL – BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE A transaction fee of £2.50 will be applied Fri 22/05/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm CAP The Glee Club 7:45pm Idol 8pm Interpreted performance for BSL users. to all phone and internet bookings. Sat 23/05/20 A Little Night Music 2pm BSL, 7:30pm The Glee Club 2:30 AD, 7:45pm Idol 8pm BSL Wed 27/05/20 Piaf 7:45pm CAP – CAPTIONED Thu 28/05/20 Piaf 2pm, 7:45pm English text visable for deaf or Fri 29/05/20 Piaf 7:45pm hearing-impaired people. GETTING HERE Sat 30/05/20 Piaf 2:30 BSL, 7:45pm RP – RELAXED PERFORMANCE BY CAR Adapted to meet the needs of audience Due to extensive ground works in the JUN QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID members with learning disabilities. area, we recommend using the Victoria Tue 02/06/20 Piaf 7:45pm Gate Car Park (enter LS2 7AS in your Wed 03/06/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm Piaf 7:45pm CAP DF – DEMENTIA FRIENDLY SatNav). This car park is closer to our Thu 04/06/20 A Little Night Music 1:30pm, 7:30pm AD Piaf 2pm, 7:45pm Drink Rum with Expats 8pm Adapted to meet the needs of people new entrance. Parking is £3 after 5pm. Fri 05/06/20 A Little Night Music 7:30pm Piaf 7:45pm Drink Rum with Expats 8pm PSD living with dementia. Disabled bays are available. Sat 06/06/20 A Little Night Music 2pm AD, 7:30pm Piaf 2:30pm, 7:45pm Drink Rum with Expats 8pm Tue 09/06/20 Piaf 7:45pm PSD – POST SHOW DISCUSSION BY BUS Wed 10/06/20 Piaf 7:45pm The Playhouse is opposite the Leeds City Thu 11/06/20 Piaf 2pm DF, 7:45pm AD We offer free companion seats. We Bus Station, across the road from the new Fri 12/06/20 Piaf 7:45pm Freedom Project 8pm welcome guide dogs and hearing dogs. Sat 13/06/20 Piaf 2:30pm AD, 7:45pm Freedom Project 2:45pm, 8pm St Peter’s Street entrance. Mon 22/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Access enquiries email: Tue 23/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm [email protected] BY TRAIN Wed 24/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm The Playhouse is a 20 minute walk from Thu 25/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Textphone 18001 then 0113 213 7700 Leeds Train Station. Fri 26/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm These Hills Are Ours 8pm PSD Sponsored by our Access Partner Sat 27/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 2pm, 7:30pm These Hills Are Ours 8pm DROP OFF Please get dropped off at Playhouse Mon 29/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Square, there is also limited disabled Tues 30/06/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm BSL War of the Worlds 7:45pm parking.

JUL QUARRY THEATRE COURTYARD THEATRE BRAMALL ROCK VOID Wed 01/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm War of the Worlds 7:45pm PSD BOX OFFICE FIND US Thu 02/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 1:30pm, 7:30pm War of the Worlds 7:45pm CAP Open Monday to Saturday 10am - 6pm Fri 03/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm War of the Worlds 7:45pm Leeds Playhouse Playhouse 2 and 15 minutes after the show starts on Sat 04/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 2pm BSL, 7:30pm War of the Worlds 2:30pm, 7:45pm Leeds Playhouse St Peter’s Building performance days. Mon 06/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Open Season Playhouse Square 6 St Peter’s Square Tue 07/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Open Season Located on Level 1, from the St Peter’s Quarry Hill Leeds Wed 08/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm CAP Open Season Street entrance take the stairs or lift up to Leeds LS9 8AH Thu 09/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 1:30pm, 7:30pm AD Open Season Level 1 and move along the corridor. LS2 7UP (For Costume Fri 10/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 7:30pm Open Season Hire and Sat 11/07/20 Monsoon Wedding 2pm AD, 7:30pm Open Season From the Playhouse Square entrance take Playhouse Youth) the stairs or lift to Level 1 and turn right along the corridor. FIND US AT PLAYHOUSE SQUARE, QUARRY HILL, LEEDS LS2 7UP LEEDSPLAYHOUSE.ORG.UK 0113 213 7700 @LEEDSPLAYHOUSE

Front cover illustration: 10 Associates All details are correct at the time of printing Leeds Theatre Trust Limited Charity No. 255460 VAT No. 545 4890 17 Company No. 926862 England & Wales Registered address: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds, LS2 7UP