West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds

The Leeds Playhouse, originally known as the West Yorkshire Playhouse, stands as a vibrant cornerstone of the cultural scene in Leeds. Established in 1990 in the Quarry Hill area, it succeeded the original Leeds Playhouse and adopted its current name in 2018 to reflect its deep connection to the city’s evolving cultural identity. Designed by The Appleton Partnership and opened by notable figures Judi Dench and Diana Rigg, the Playhouse is a symbol of theatrical innovation and community engagement.

With two main auditoria—the 750-seat Quarry Theatre and the 350-seat Courtyard Theatre—alongside the 130-seat Bramall Rock Void studio added during redevelopment in 2019, the Playhouse hosts a broad range of productions. It embraces everything from classic dramas to modern European theatre, children’s shows, and groundbreaking new writing, particularly from Northern England. The venue also offers top-tier facilities, including a bar, restaurant, rehearsal spaces, a recording studio, and costume hire services, catering to both performers and audiences.

Leeds Playhouse traces its roots to the Leeds Playgoers' Society, formed in 1907 to stage contemporary drama by playwrights such as Shaw, Ibsen, and Chekhov. The campaign for a permanent theatre began in the 1960s, gaining traction with support from local luminaries like Peter O'Toole. The original Leeds Playhouse opened in 1970 at the University of Leeds before transitioning to Quarry Hill in 1990 as part of a city regeneration effort.

Leeds Playhouse, one of the UK's largest repertory theatres outside London and Stratford, is renowned for acclaimed productions like Spend Spend Spend and for hosting top companies such as Northern Broadsides. Its iconic neon Tubthumping sculpture and Pippa Hale’s Ribbons installation highlight its cultural significance. Led by artistic figures like Jude Kelly and James Brining, it excels in award-winning works, nurturing talent, and engaging with the Leeds community.