Theatre Trips
If you're planning a trip to the theatre, Yorkshire has plenty of great venues to choose from, ranging from the Victorian to the contemporary, and offering performances to suit everyone.
Leeds is home to the award-winning West Yorkshire Playhouse, bordering Quarry Hill. The Playhouse first opened its doors in March 1990 and has gone on to establish an international reputation as one of the UK's most exciting theatres. It has hosted countless productions that began life in the West End and WYP audiences have enjoyed performances as wide-ranging as Alice in Wonderland and Othello.
Much older is the city's Grand Theatre, where performances take place under its Victorian fan-vaulted ceiling and have covered everything from Rocky Horror to Alan Bennett. The Grand Theatre is also one of the venues visited by the much loved touring company, Opera North.
Still in Leeds, the City Varieties Music Hall is well-known to those who enjoyed the long-running BBC series The Good Old Days. This Victorian music hall continues to live up to its name, presenting variety shows, stand-up comedy, music and pantomime, as well as a reprise of The Good Old Days seven times a year.
In nearby York, the Theatre Royal stands on a site where theatre-goers have been enjoying performances since the mid 1700s. As well as seeing one of their many stage productions, you can also book for a back-stage tour and discover York Theatre Royal's rich history … including its resident ghost!
You'll find another Theatre Royal, this time in Wakefield, where performances take place in their Grade II listed building right in the heart of the city. The Victorian theatre's varied event programme includes drama, dance, music and comedy.
Also Grade II listed, is the well-known landmark of Bradford's Alhambra Theatre. It's hard to imagine that it once seemed in grave danger of being demolished. Today, following significant refurbishment, including an extended stage, the Alhambra offers its audiences touring productions of the grandest kind. For many years, it has been the home of pantomime – even the star dressing rooms are called Cinderella, Humpty Dumpty and Mother Goose.
Close by The Alhambra Theatre in Bradford sits the contemporary National Media Museum. As well as ten free galleries that cover photography, television, and animation, you'll find two cinemas and a fantastic IMAX theatre.
If Halifax is your destination, then visit the thriving Victoria Theatre, which prides itself on its exciting programme of varied live events. Here you'll find everything from rock 'n' roll to ballet, comedy to gripping drama, and all in raked seating without pillars to spoil your view.
Enjoy an equally warm welcome at Harrogate Theatre, which continues to attract countless famous names. Ben Kingsley, Martin Shaw and Kate O'Mara have all appeared here, as well as Trevor Howard, Sarah Bernhard and even Charlie Chaplin. The theatre has recently enjoyed major refurbishment, including wonderful new chandeliers in the main auditorium.
Further afield, in Huddersfield, you can choose from a varied programme at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. Originally built as a Methodist Chapel, the venue has seen several changes in its history, which spans almost two hundred years. Today 'the Lawrence Batley' is a well established, much loved theatre, offering visitors everything from drama to dance, comedy to music.
Over in Hull, theatre-goers can enjoy both the traditional and the contemporary at two top venues. Hull Truck Theatre, which moved to its vibrant new premises in 2009, is home to top productions. All of John Godber's plays are staged here first before heading for the West End. Also in the city centre, you'll find Hull New Theatre, a sumptuous venue with a packed programme, ranging from ballet to drama and most entertainment in between, including the ever-popular panto.
Further up the coast in Scarborough, you can enjoy 'theatre in the round' performances at the Stephen Joseph Theatre, where you'll find everything from Snake Davis to Sherlock Holmes, as well as an endstage/cinema. They even hold workshops as part of Scarborough's annual Coastival event – how about clogging or rapping?
So, whether it's traditional panto, high drama, stunning dance productions or just a good old laugh you're after, take a look at all the many and varied theatres that Yorkshire has to offer. Then just contact us to book your minicoach or limousine and we'll help you make it happen!
