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in Leeds Playhouse next week for a fun new family musical that takes a sideways look at the story of Cinderella from the perspective of the ˜Not So Ugly Sisters.
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| Rachel Marriner, Head of Communications[email protected] | 0113 213 7272 | 07729 206332 Jo Haywood, Media Officer[email protected] | 0113 213 7272 | 07957 181586 |
Editor’s notesABOUT LEEDS PLAYHOUSELeeds Playhouse has been welcoming audiences for 50 years. As a registered charity (No. 255460), the theatre creates work which is pioneering and relevant, seeking out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire. The Playhouse recently underwent a £16m transformation which includes improved access to and around the theatre, a new city-facing entrance and the addition of a new studio theatre, the Bramall Rock Void. A dedicated collaborator, Leeds Playhouse works with distinctive, original voices from across the UK. Its Artistic Development programme, Furnace, discovers, nurtures and supports new voices, while developing work with established practitioners. It provides a creative space for writers, directors, companies and individual theatre-makers to refine their practice at all stages of their careers. The sector-leading Creative Engagement team works with more than 12,000 people aged 4–95 every year connecting with refugee communities, young people, teachers and students, older people and people with learning disabilities, including working in specific areas of the city. The Playhouse pioneered Relaxed Performances ten years ago and more recently have developed Dementia-Friendly performances both of which are becoming the norm across the industry. During the last challenging year, Leeds Playhouse has continued to communicate with the wider community through PLAYHOUSE CONNECT, engaging with over 12,000 people via multiple creative projects. New projects for 2021 included: REASONS TO BE HOPEFUL, CAN YOU HEAR ME?, LITERACY LIVE, DAILY WARMUP, STEPS TO CREATIVITY, HALF A CENTURY STORIES and PLAYHOUSE YOUNG LEADERS. Current programme continues remotely – Buzz, Breeze Arts Foundation, Heydays, Hearts, Asmarina Voices, Playing Me, Sanctuary Company, Creative Insights, Partner Schools, Burberry Inspire, Our Time, RJC Playhouse Youth Theatre, New Views, Young Carers, Passionate About Plays and Teacher CPD.   From 19 May, Leeds Playhouse will reopen its theatres to audiences showcasing a new season of work within the theatres, online and on your doorstep. New productions now on sale include DECADES: STORIES OF THE CITY a brand new commission of 6 plays creating a diverse collection of stories firmly rooted, FAIRY POPPINS AND THE NAUGHTY WINTER GHOST is a new family show commissioned by Leeds Playhouse to mark its 50th anniversary, which will open in Playhouse Square in late spring before embarking on a community tour, 50 YEARS OF LEEDS PLAYHOUSE exhibition putting a spotlight on the theatre’s history and HALF A CENTURY STORIES collaborating with community stories tellers from across our city to capture and celebrate what Leeds means to us. The season will also include; A Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder and Wrongsemble co-production THE NOT SO UGLY SISTERS, a Leeds Playhosue and Red Ladder Theatre Company co-production of THE DAMNED UNITED, Pam Gems’ retelling of PIAF a Leeds Playhosue and Nottingham Playhouse, Stephen Sondheim’s A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC by Leeds Playhouse and Opera North, family favourite IN THE NIGHT GARDEN, THE PROMISE OF A GARDEN created in co-prodcution with Leeds Playhouse, The Performaance Ensemble, Leeds Older People’s Forum and Leeds 2023and new play DRACULA: THE UNTOLD STORY by Leeds Playhouse and imitating the dog For Christmas 2021 Leeds Playhouse will stage Ella Hickson’s WENDY & PETER PAN adapted from the classic novel by JM Barrie. Leeds Playhouse is also offering free the use of the Bramall Rock Void theatre space with guaranteed technical support for local artists and companies in the heart of the Leeds City Region to help in the recovery of the cultural sector. Leeds Playhouse relies on the support of valued partners to make great things happen. It is grateful for the continued support of Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation and many charitable trusts, business partners and individuals. Wrongsemble is a Leeds-based theatre company specialising in working with and creating work for young people, schools and families. It believes in art for everyone, with accessibility and ‘shared experience’ at the heart of everything we do. Formed in 2015, the company was born out of a desire to make family theatre for all ages and experiences. All of our artists are from/based/connected to the North of England, and we strive to ensure that our artists represent the excitingly diverse communities we serve.  In 2020 Wrongsemble won the prestigious Child Friendly Leeds Award for ‘Inspiring Creativity through Arts and Culture’, and are the resident company at Slung Low’s The Holbeck. Previous productions include: Three (2016-2019), Peter Pan in the Park (2017), The Selfish Giant (2018), The Princess and the Sprout (2018), Billy Shakes: Wonderboy! (Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre, 2019), A Witch’s Tale (2019), Hansel & Gretel (2019), Humbug (2020), Aladdin and the Stolen Stories (2021). Upcoming productions include: Stargazer – a new digital theatrical adventure (2021), The Snow Queen – a co-production with The Albany and ARC Stockton (2021/22) Red Ladder is a radical theatre company with over 50 years history. The company is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading national touring companies producing new theatre, contributing to social change and global justice.   Founded in 1968 in London, the company has a colourful history rooted in the radical socialist theatre movement in Britain known as agitprop. Born into an era of riots, demonstrations and revolts, Red Ladder has grown up, kicking and screaming, into the 21st Century, where it continues to fight, to entertain, and to agitate in as equal measures as possible.We make theatre about how we live now, and how we hope to live. The world has got to change, and the future is not yet written. The shared experience of theatre is about transformation and imagination, where we can collectively invent a better, kinder, fairer way to be.We make theatre that gives a platform to voices that are rarely heard, and stories that are overlooked. Plays that invite you to lean in, identify, punch the air, laugh with the stranger next to you, cry in the dark, and want to take action |
