There are plenty of amazing shows coming to West Yorkshire Playhouse this year. Take a look at what you might fancy…
Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion (4 – 25 Feb) is a new co-production by West Yorkshire Playhouse, Headlong and Nuffield Southampton Theatres. Described as ‘fearless new staging’, we can’t wait to see what this new production brings.
The classic Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet, is also being transformed in Amy Leach’s production that’s set against an epic Northern landscape on 3 – 25 March.
Don’t miss the Barber Studio Programme from 30 March – 15 April. The temporary studio theatre is housing plenty of new work. More new shows and ideas are coming to the Playhouse during the Transform festival from 19th-22nd April.
On 28 April – 27 May, The Graduate is brought to life by West Yorkshire Playhouse and Curve Leicester in association with Simon Friend and Gavin Kalin Productions. This is the story of two young people and an illicit encounter with an infamous older woman that sets all three on a thrillingly destructive course.
Lifeboat (2 – 13 May) is the gripping true story of two 15-year-old evacuees left clinging to the remains of an upturned lifeboat. Directed by Gill Robertson and presented by West Yorkshire Playhouse and Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Lifeboat is a show not to be missed.
John Steinbeck’s classic novel, The Grapes of Wrath, is brought to life on 24th May-10th June. This is the tale about one family’s epic journey to California, the Promised Land, in hope of survival and prosperity.
Ode to Leeds (10 June – 1 July) celebrates the lyrical journey of five young poets from Leeds to New York City where they compete in the world’s most prestigious poetry slam. This impressive return to West Yorkshire Playhouse follows Zodwa’s debut play, Boi Boi is Dead.
Barber Shop Chronicles (12 – 29 July) invites audiences into the chair of barber shops across Africa and the UK. Inua Ellams’ new play is a humorous and insightful portrayal of a unique environment where black men come to be together.
As well as productions produced or co-produced by West Yorkshire Playhouse, the wonderful theatre is also welcoming visiting productions to the stage.
Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Mixed Programme 2017 (8 – 11 Feb) brings together three performances spanning Jazz, Soul, and Reggae from the dance halls of 1940s America to contemporary choreography exploring conceptual themes.
Babe the Sheep Pig comes to the Playhouse on 15 – 18 Feb. The novel which inspired the Oscar-winning film is adapted by Olivier Award winner David Wood in a show brimming with laughter, stunning puppetry and original live music.
Northern Broadsides transport us to 17th century Paris for Cyrano on 28 Feb – 4 March. The wonderful learning-disability theatre company Mind the Gap presents Contained: True Stories From The Heart on 10 – 11 March.
The story of three young men deployed to Afghanistan is depicted in Pink Mist on 28 Mar – 1 April. In what’s predicted to be a slightly more light-hearted show, Leeds writer Kay Mellor brings her romantic comedy A Passionate Woman to WYP on 4-8 April.
We’ve already told you about Gangsta Granny coming to Leeds Grand, but for huge David Walliam’s fans don’t miss his space adventure First Hippo on the Moon at WYP from 5-8 April.
Exquisite jungle beasts arrive in Running Wild, Samuel Adamson’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s celebrated novel (11 – 15 April.) With puppetry from the creatives behind War Horse, this spectacular production tells of one little girl’s unforgettable elephant ride in tsunami-hit Indonesia.
Frederico Fellini’s Oscar-winning La Strada: the new musical adaptation runs from 24 – 29 April, and Rock Opera Tommy comes to WYP on 4-13 May. The musical written by Pete Townshend includes all the greatest The Who hits!
If David Walliams wasn’t enough, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book The Scarecrows’ Wedding arrives direct from the West End from 30 May – 3 June. The Gruffalo is also coming to WYP from 25 – 30 July. Who wouldn’t want to join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood?
The dazzling new Miss Meena & The Masala Queens comes to WYP on 13 – 17 June. The once famous and fabulous drag queen Miss Meena has well and truly lost his sparkle. A new arrival brings a glittery rainbow of hope – but just as things are starting to look up, a visitor from the past makes Miss Meena question everything he ever stood for.
For the latest information and to book tickets, visit the West Yorkshire Playhouse website.
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