Leeds Playhouse throws open its doors for three exciting weeks of community shows.
Actors, musicians, dancers, choirs, schools and theatre groups from communities across the Leeds City Region will be showcasing their skills and sharing their incredible creativity in the Quarry Theatre and Barber Studio at Leeds Playhouse from 27 June to 19 July.
Open Season is an opportunity for people with a diverse range of talents to perform in the City’s premier producing theatre. Led by the award-winning Playhouse Connect team, who work with communities across the City all year round, this annual celebration is supported by staff across the organisation, from box office to lighting and everything in between.
Lily Craig, Creative Communities Producer at the Playhouse: “Open Season is a fantastic annual celebration of the talented people who live in our wonderfully creative City. It’s a chance for everyone to come together, to challenge themselves to perform in a professional theatre, and to enjoy the performances of friends, neighbours and nearby communities in a warm, welcoming and supportive environment.”
The theme for this year’s Open Season is A Leeds United, inspired by Through it All Together, a new play by Leeds playwright Chris O’Connor commissioned by the Playhouse. A love letter to former Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa, the beautiful game and the bond that unites families and friends, the play enjoys its world premiere in the Courtyard Theatre at the Playhouse from 23 June to 19 July.
Here’s what Open Season audiences can look forward to: FRIDAY 27 JUNE, 6pm: Leeds City Academy presents Remember Me, a powerful and moving performance that shines a light on the inspirational figures who shaped our world and the young voices ready to shape its future. Blending history with our own stories, Remember Me explores what it means to be seen, heard, and truly remembered.
SATURDAY 28 JUNE, 7pm: A staple of Open Season, the Community Showcase is a multi-artform performance that brings together artists and groups from across Leeds to showcase their talents. Be prepared to tap your feet, sing along and be moved by some brilliant theatrical pieces.
TUESDAY 1 JULY, 7pm: The Playhouse will be transformed into the house of rock (and pop) as the musical superstars of tomorrow from award winning live performance music school LS18 Rocks return to shake, rattle and roll the Quarry stage. Nine brilliant bands will take to our iconic stage delivering a non-stop playlist of singalong hits from across the decades that are guaranteed to get you dancing in the aisles.
WEDNESDAY 2 JULY, 11am: Music, dancing and short response pieces on the theme of A Leeds United from the Playhouse’s Heydays group – the largest and longest-running arts programme for older people in UK theatre.
THURSDAY 3 JULY, 7.30pm: A showcase of performances from the three secondary schools that make up the Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. Together Means More will celebrate the diversity of the students in South Leeds and the future of a united Leeds through music, dance, drama and spoken word.
SATURDAY 5 JULY, 5.30pm: Leeds Playhouse Junior Youth Theatre presents Forward to the Future. Join an (almost) fearless gang of adventurers as they hurtle into the future to see what Leeds will be like in 2045. Will everyone travel on flying trains? Will every home have an AI powered robot? Will scientists solve the climate crisis? Can everyone get home in time for tea?
MONDAY 7 JULY, 7pm: Invisible Pain Theatre Company presents Lost Time, a thought-provoking showcase of performances highlighting the struggles of people living with dementia and memory loss. Exploring the theme of time, the show includes physical theatre expertly interwoven with music, dance and spoken word pieces.
WEDNESDAY 9 JULY, 1pm: Enjoy an Open Mic session with MAP Charity (Music and Arts Production), a Leeds-based organisation that provides 11-16 year olds who are at risk of permanent exclusion from mainstream education a safe and permanent space for their creativity can flourish.
THURSDAY 10 JULY, 2.30pm & FRIDAY 11 JULY, 6.30pm: LIFE! is a new production from the Feeling Good Theatre Company, featuring a series of sketches which encompass pathos, comedy, murder and strife. All the scenes, songs and dances are devised and performed by members of the company.
FRIDAY 11 JULY & FRIDAY 18 JULY, 6pm: Join The Leeds International Piano Competition for two fun, inclusive and engaging piano-based Open Mic events. Both will feature a headline artist and then anyone is welcome to turn up and play to a friendly audience. The headliner on 11 July will be Duncan Goodwin, who was on Channel 4’s The Piano, with his wife Fran. The headliner for 18 July will be announced later.
SATURDAY 12 JULY, 6pm: Brave Words Youth Theatre presents The Thing About Happiness, a new theatrical adventure created by the young cast. In a world controlled by social media and AI, the ICU app provides comfort 24/7. But comfort always comes at a cost. Join Eddy, Ira and their fish & chip-mad friends as they uncover the horrifying truth behind a life of easy scrolling.
SATURDAY 12 JULY, 7pm: Enjoy an Open Mic curated and devised by the Playhouse’s Buzz group for people with learning disabilities, Matthew Evans and Mind the Gap artists. Members of the learning-disabled community, their family and supporters are invited to support and celebrate this talent showcase.
TUESDAY 15 JULY, 6.30pm: Yorkshire Talent 2025 is a vibrant talent competition celebrating the creativity and skill of performers who have a learning disability or are autistic. Organised annually by local charity People in Action, this uplifting event showcases genuine talent across a wide range of acts – from singers, dancers, poets, and musicians to comedians and the occasional surprise act.
THURSDAY 17 JULY, 1pm: Celebrate the 95th anniversary of St George’s Crypt with The Needs of Leeds, an exclusive immersive exhibition exploring the evolving landscape for homeless and vulnerable people.
All Open Season events are Pay What You Can, which means you can book your ticket on the Playhouse website as usual and choose from a range of pricing options, or book directly through box office (either on the phone or in person) and specify what you can pay. Please note that a £2.50 booking fee applies when booking online and by phone.
For more information about Leeds Playhouse’s year-round community activities, clubs and events, visit Join In on the website
