Pam Moss / 10 April 2013 / Categories: Theatres

City Varieties

Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House Ltd is the company which manages the Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and the Hyde Park Picture House, three of the regions' most distinguished cultural institutions. We pride ourselves on entertaining the people of Leeds and the surrounding area with the best in musicals, plays, comedy, music and film as well as being the home venue for both Opera North and Northern Ballet.

We are a company controlled by Leeds City Council who provide us with regular funding. Both the Grand Theatre and City Varieties have recently undergone major refurbishments to bring facilities up to date. Neither of these projects would have been possible without the generous support of the Heritage Lottery Fund who continue to support our Learning Programme.

AN ABSOLUTE GEM OF A PLACE

I am passionate about this theatre, the home of The Good Old Days, the BBCs 30 year running TV variety show. It has undergone a 9.4 million renovation, reopening in 2011 and is now a step back in time to the 1880s. It makes me shiver to think famous names like Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, Lillie Langtry and Mickey Rooney have all performed on this famous stage tucked away on a Leeds back street. This theatre is steeped in history and I’d say you can feel something special about it the minute you step inside. It was the first theatre I ever visited as a child and my children too so have such strong lasting happy memories I treasure.

When you walk in the first thing you see is the confectionary, so nostalgic and you will be struck by the scale of the place, it feels small and intimate, gives a real sense of going back in time and how architecture and people have expanded over the years. The rich décor and plush red velvet is sumptuous and even the smell is comforting somehow.

It’s a lovely experience whether you support the annual panto, Oh no he didn’t or yes he did, or one of the other shows in the varied schedule and 60p from every ticket sold goes to the renovation fund to ensure this beautiful cultural haven is preserved for generations in the future. Tickets are usually around the 10 pound mark so affordable for all.

As well as the excellent schedule the City Varieties has a thriving Youth Theatre program which performs a full scale musical once a year. The next production in July is Little Shop of Horrors and there are still slots open for anyone, 11-21 who wants to participate. It is free, by audition and I’d recommend anyone who loves to perform to have a go and apply. I’ve seen a couple of their shows and known children who have been part of this group, they are out of this world and many go on to professional careers. Emaillearning@cityvarieties.co.uk or call 0113 2977043.

Honestly the pictures could never do this theatre justice, go and see it for yourself.