Artist Pippa Hale chosen to create Leeds’ Feminist ​Sculpture

We are happy to announce Pippa Hale as the artist chosen to create a new public sculpture setting out to champion the achievements of women, and redress the gender imbalance of statues in the city of Leeds.

Caddick Developments., are proud to have been a partner, alongside Leeds City College, LeedsBID (Leeds Business Improvement District), Leeds City Council and Caddick Developments. and Leeds Arts University, in selecting Pippa for this new feminist public sculpture located at the gateway to SOYO.

The Artwork.

Close up of the sculpture showing the names women who have made a contribution to our City.

Women make a massive contribution to our city – creatively, economically and socially – and this is an opportunity to celebrate them.”

Pippa Hale

Pippa’s design, Ribbons, has been chosen in response to a project which aims to redress the gender balance of public sculpture in an innovative way, celebrating the achievements of the women of Leeds with an avant-garde approach.

The work comprises several metal ribbons that weave their way through the space, the metal structure rises up in places to create benches and low-level walkways. The ribbons meet at the gateway to SOYO where they create a 5m high central sculpture that appears to swirl and flutter in the wind. The metal ribbons carry the names of notable Leeds women celebrating those who have made a contribution to our city, both past and present.

The Project.

Image (from left to right): Sarah Friskney, Caddick Developments; Rachel Reeves, MP Leeds West; Pippa Hale; Kevin O'Hare, Leeds City College; Simone Wonnacott, Leeds Arts University; Karen Butler, Leeds BID; Cllr Judith Blake, Leeds City Council.
Image (from left to right): Sarah Friskney, Caddick Developments; Rachel Reeves, MP Leeds West; Pippa Hale; Kevin O’Hare, Leeds City College; Simone Wonnacott, Leeds Arts University; Karen Butler, Leeds BID; Cllr Judith Blake, Leeds City Council.

Four artists were shortlisted and had the opportunity to exhibit models of their proposed designs at the Blenheim Walk Gallery at Leeds Arts University. Visitors to the exhibition were given the chance to contribute to the selection process, providing feedback which was taken into consideration by the judging panel.

This is a joint project developed by Rachel Reeves (Member of Parliament for Leeds West) in partnership with Leeds City Council and Leeds Arts University. Supporters of the project include Leeds City College, Leeds BID and Caddick Developments.

The panel were very pleased that the artists had such a diverse and thoughtful approach to the sculpture and how it would contribute to the new public areas and celebrate women across Leeds. The quality of the shortlist was extremely high but Pippa’s concept was chosen unanimously, and was also the favourite with the public vote.

The chosen artwork will be located between Leeds City College’s new Quarry Hill Campus and the newly redeveloped Leeds Playhouse, in the gateway to SOYO, providing a scenic entranceway to the wider area which is undergoing significant regeneration. The sculpture will be sited prominently at the top of a green landscaped, tiered public space visible from Eastgate and The Headrow as part of the wider SOYO development at Quarry Hill, also home to BBC Yorkshire and Northern Ballet.

The exhibition at Leeds Arts University will remain open until Thursday 04 July, giving visitors the chance to see work by the four shortlisted artists, Briony Marshall, Pippa Hale, Wendy Briggs, and Zsófia Jakab, alongside examples of work from other cities to highlight the broader context for women’s visibility in the public realm across the UK.

Leeds Playhouse Presents: Be My Baby

If you’ve been keeping up to date with all things SOYO, you’ll have noticed we’ve been following Leeds Playhouse’s Pop-Up Season very closely, front and centre for all of the action. The final performance of the series opens this Saturday – Amanda Whittington’s Be My Baby.

Leeds Playhouse have been working in collaboration with Mind the Gap theatre company, one of the country’s largest learning disability theatre companies that has championed learning-disabled arts for 30 years. The production is a continuation of a longstanding relationship between them and Leeds Playhouse.

The story goes, 19 year old Mary is seven months pregnant when her mother delivers her into the charge of St. Saviours. As Mary, Dolores, Queenie and Norma bond over records and romance, they begin to understand what it means to give their children to the Welfare Service and Mary must fight to take her baby home.

We’ve teamed up with Leeds Playhouse to offer 10 pairs of tickets to the opening performance of Be My Baby on Wednesday 15th May.

Head to facebook.com/soyoleeds to find out how to enter. Terms and Conditions below:

1. When entering this competition, entrants confirm that they have read and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions and guidelines stated below

2.  The Promoter of this prize draw is SOYO Leeds

3.  The Promoter is offering entrants of this promotion a chance to win 2 x tickets to the performance of Be My Baby at Leeds Playhouse

4.  To qualify entry for this prize draw, entrants must either tag a 1+ person in the comments section on the competition post on Facebook or RT (retweet and tag in 1+ person) on Twitter.

5.  Entrants must be UK residents.This promotion is not open to any employees of the Promoter or any of their affiliate companies, their families, agents or anyone else connected with this prize draw. 

6.  One entry is permitted per person. Late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible, entries will not be accepted.

7.  This promotion is open to entries from 07.00 on 9th May 2019 until 23.59 on 13th May 2019.

8.  There are 10 x prizes to be won. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-exchangeable and there is no cash alternative offered.

9.  The Promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of greater or equal value.  In the event of circumstances outside the promoters reasonable control, the Promoter reserves the right to temporarily or permanently, discontinue or modify this promotion without prior notice. 

10.  The winner will be selected from all valid entries received during the promotional period, winner will be selected using a computer process that produces a random result.

11.  Each winner will be notified within two working days of the draw via Facebook direct message or Twitter direct message to the account from which the entry was made and will be asked to provide their full name, address and relevant contact details. If a winner fails to respond within 1 working day of this notification, a redraw will take place from the remaining valid entries to select a new winner.  If any winner declines a prize or fails to respond within the required period, they forfeit any right to the prize.

12.  The prize is to be collected at Leeds Playhouse, where the winners names will appear on the guest list. Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize.

13.  The Promoter does not accept responsibility lost, misdirected or delayed entries. It also does not accept responsibility for software failures, network or computer issues.

14.  The Promoter reserves the right to remove  any inappropriate or offensive entries and disqualify any entries if the Promoter, at its sole discretion, believes that there has been an attempt to manipulate or tamper with the operation of the promotion (including, without limitation, by setting up multiple Instagram, Facebook or other social media accounts in order to submit multiple entries).

15.  You agree to be bound by the decisions of the Promoter, which are final in all matters relating to the promotion. 

See the world from SOYO – Around the World in 80 Days at Leeds Playhouse Pop-Up Theatre.

Two men (Darren Kuppan and Robert Pickavance) in Victorian costume, one with a moustache, bowler hat and suitcase and one with a top hat, beard and pipe.
Darren Kuppan and Robert Pickavance.

This Easter, head out on a voyage like no other as Leeds Playhouse takes you Around the World in 80 Days. Get your passports ready and your suitcases packed for this globetrotting escapade, a stage adaption of Jules Verne’s novel  Around the World in 80 Days.

Prepare to be transported back to the 19th century as the legendary Philieas Fogg embarks on a stupendous journey across four continents. Of course, things don’t go to plan and Fogg finds himself in the middle of many manic situations along the way. This production boasts a show packed full of surprises, laughter, props and high jinks. 

Sounds pretty great, right? Well if you want to get into the full swing of the action, head over to our Facebook, Linkedin, or Twitter for the chance to win a pair of tickets! 

Around The World in 80 Days – Rehearsal footage and trailer

This stage adaption will be directed by Leeds Playhouse’s award-winning Director of Creative Engagement Alex Ferris (Searching for the Heart of Leeds, Leeds Playhouse; Rise, The Old Vic). It will also feature new original music by award-winning musician Dom Coyote (We Can Time Travel, Shoreditch Town Hall; The Tin Drum, Kneehigh with Leeds Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse). It will be designed by award-winning designer Amanda Stoodley (Europe, Leeds Playhouse; Queen Margaret, Royal Exchange Theatre).

“For me, theatre is at its best when the audience is acknowledged and get to play and share in the story on stage. We want everyone to join us on this ambitious and slightly crazy mission to tell this epic story that passes through over 10 different countries, meeting over 30 different characters, featuring daring rescues from the jaws of death, high speed chases, displays of cunning and classic British grit, and a fair share of costume changes with just our 4 actors and a handful of props.”

 Leeds Playhouse Director of Creative Engagement Alex Ferris

Following its run at Leeds Playhouse, the production will tour eight community partner areas within the Leeds City Region. This will make the fifth year Leeds Playhouse has worked within these specific community partner areas, sharing productions and delivering workshops in community settings. 

See Around the World in 80 Days at Leeds Playhouse’s Pop-Up theatre, in association with SOYO Leeds, from 9 – 28 April.

Tue 9th – Sun 28th April, Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk

SOYO AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS TICKET COMPETITION TERMS & CONDITIONS

  1. When entering this competition, entrants confirm that they have read and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions and guidelines stated below.
  2.  The Promoter of this prize draw is SOYO Leeds.
  3.  The Promoter is offering entrants of this promotion a chance to win 2 x tickets to a performance of Around The World in 80 Days at Leeds Playhouse.
  4.  To qualify entry for this prize draw, entrants must tag 1+ person in the comments section on the competition post on Facebook, tag 1+ person in the comments section on the competition post on Linkedin, RT (retweet and tag in 1+ person) on Twitter.
  5.  Entrants must be UK residents. This promotion is not open to any employees of the Promoter or any of their affiliate companies, their families, agents or anyone else connected with this prize draw.
  6.  One entry is permitted per person. Late, misdirected, incomplete or illegible, entries will not be accepted.
  7.  This promotion is open to entries from 11.00 on 3rd April until 23.59 on 8th April 2019. 
  8.  There is one prize to be won. The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable and non-exchangeable and there is no cash alternative offered.
  9.  The Promoter reserves the right to offer an alternative prize of greater or equal value.  In the event of circumstances outside the promoters reasonable control, the Promoter reserves the right to temporarily or permanently, discontinue or modify this promotion without prior notice.
  10.  The winner will be selected from all valid entries received during the promotional period, winner will be selected using a computer process that produces a random result and announced on the 9th April 2019.
  11.  Each winner will be notified within two working days of the draw via Facebook direct message or Twitter direct message to the account from which the entry was made and will be asked to provide their full name, address and relevant contact details. If a winner fails to respond within 1 working day of this notification, a redraw will take place from the remaining valid entries to select a new winner.  If any winner declines a prize or fails to respond within the required period, they forfeit any right to the prize.
  12.  The prize is to be collected at the Leeds Playhouse Box Office before the chosen performance on the 11th April. Winners may be required to submit valid identification before receiving their prize, once selected, the date of performance cannot be changed.
  13.  The Promoter does not accept responsibility lost, misdirected or delayed entries. It also does not accept responsibility for software failures, network or computer issues.
  14.  The Promoter reserves the right to remove  any inappropriate or offensive entries and disqualify any entries if the Promoter, at its sole discretion, believes that there has been an attempt to manipulate or tamper with the operation of the promotion (including, without limitation, by setting up multiple Twitter, Facebook or other social media accounts in order to submit multiple entries).
  15.  You agree to be bound by the decisions of the Promoter, which are final in all matters relating to the promotion.


Yorke Dance Project comes to Leeds to celebrate 20 years of exceptional dance

The contemporary ballet company Yorke Dance Project returns to Leeds to celebrate its 20th anniversary with TWENTY. This incredible show features new dances by Robert Cohan CBE and the first ever restaging of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Playground since its première by Sadler’s Wells Ballet in 1979.

The company will be performing at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre on March 20th for one night only.

Yorke Dance Project continues to build acclaim for presenting dance by past masters as well as emerging artists from both the UK and the USA. Artistic Director Yolande Yorke-Edgell has curated TWENTY as a celebratory programme which showcases her company’s philosophy.

The show will host a feature of guest artists and performances

The show will feature guest artist Romany Pajdak, First Artist of The Royal Ballet, music composed by Gordon Crosse, and set & costume designs reimagined by MacMillan’s daughter Charlotte MacMillan.

Communion is the sixth work created for the company. This has been created by legendary contemporary choreographer Robert Cohan. Communion is set to music by Nils Frahm and designed by Cohan’s former London Contemporary Dance Theatre collaborator John B Read.

A new work called Between and Within by emerging LA-based choreographer Sophia Stoller has been made with music by Justin Scheid. Here, four dancers play out the complex dynamics of a relationship between two people.

Yorke-Edgell’s own work Imprint pays tribute to the three choreographers who have been the most influential throughout her dance career. Richard Alston who she danced at both Rambert and his company with. Bella Lewitzky, whose LA company she joined in 1994 and Robert Cohen who she worked closely with over the past few years.

There are still tickets available for TWENTY by Yorke Dance Project at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. You can get your tickets at theatreleeds.com or by calling the Box Office on 0013 220 8008. Tickets are priced at £15.00

Live at Leeds 2019

Live at Leeds is back for another year on Saturday 4th May 2019! This phenomenal one-day music festival showcases the best new talents and emerging artists from across the UK as well as some international artists. 

Live at Leeds has been a staple of Leeds’ booming music scene for years now. You can see some of the best new bands in various venues across Leeds City Centre. All the venues are within walking distance which gives you the opportunity to discover new artists, follow your favourites and get a whole platter of genres for your audible pleasure.

The event takes place on the first bank holiday weekend of May (Saturday 4th 2019). It’s the perfect way to spend the day (and night).

As always, Live at Leeds has some great acts on the bill: 

Tom Grennan, Kate Tempest, The Academic, Drenge, Swim Deep, Sundara Karma, The Sherlocks, The Slow Readers Club and Skinny Living (to name just a few).

Live at Leeds lineup

If you’re wanting to bring your children, they will have to be 14-years-old or over to attend Live at Leeds.

Head to as many venues as you can. Just make sure you go to the Wristband Exchange before heading to any of the venues. You can also buy VIP wristbands for the event but get them while they’re still available as they’ll be running out fast! 

The VIP wristband allows you to queue jump at venues (subject to capacity). You also get a Live at Leeds tote bag and free entry to the Official Live at Leeds Afterparty at The Wardrobe all night. 

Purchase your VIP wristbands exclusively at: https://www.lunatickets.co.uk/event/live-at-leeds-2019/various-leeds-venues/1227872

You can also buy your Live at Leeds wristbands at: See Tickets, Luna Tickets, Crash Records, Jumbo Records. Tickets can also be purchased in person for the following places in person: Brudenell Social Club (with no booking fees), O2 Academy Leeds Box Office (with no booking fees) and Trinity Leeds Customer Service Lounge (with no booking fees to arrange a complimentary companion ticket.

Live at Leeds also provides a free companion ticket for disabled customers. These can be booked at one-day or See Tickets. Email accessbookings@liveatleeds.com with proof of ticket purchase and details of your access requirements.

The Live at Leeds official app will be your must-have companion for your day of music discovery. The app will give you information and links to all the artists. It will also allow you to build a schedule to plan your perfect day. This app will be launched soon.

Leeds International Festival 2019

After its growing popularity and demand, the Leeds International Festival is back for another year in the city centre. Leeds International Festival (LIF) launched back in April 2017 by Leeds BID and now in its third year, it continues to pull in a variety of great speakers, artists, performers and a growing number of guests.

Over the 10-day period, we will see an influx of creative and engaging speakers and performers including; Dr John Cooper Clarke, Frank Bruno MBE, Professor Alice Roberts and Tommy Cash (to name but a few). 

This year, The Tetley will act as the basecamp for the events with The Village being located within the grounds of this beautiful art deco headquarters of the former Tetley Brewery. 

We can’t think of a more impressive space for this year’s Leeds International Festival. This cultural hub will certainly put people in the spirit of the event! Not only that, but it will be a great opportunity for many people who haven’t been before to visit The Tetley – we promise that this is a treat in itself. 

CORE Programme

LIF’s CORE Programme invites the world’s leading creators, innovators, thought-leaders and pioneers to Leeds. Here, they challenge, dissect and evaluate new ideas and discuss the potentials in the world of tomorrow. By inviting thought-provoking speakers and creatives to Leeds, the CORE aims to challenge our understanding of the world today. 

OFF Programme

An eclectic, unpredictable and vibrant world, the OFF programme showcases the brouhaha of live music, after-parties, exhibitions, performances, discussions, comedy, food and experimental events. The OFF Programme will take place in streets and venues across the city. The aim is to shine a spotlight on Leeds’ deep-rooted cultural diversity and flourishing creative drive. 

Leeds International Festival takes place on 2nd May – 12th May 2019. 

For more information, head over to the Leeds International Festival website for a full breakdown of events, locations and times:
https://leedsinternationalfestival.com 


“There’s no place like home” as The Wizard of Oz becomes Leeds Playhouse’s big Christmas show in the newly renovated theatre

We’re so excited to announce that The Wizard of Oz will be coming to Leeds Playhouse as this year’s big Christmas production. Yes, this beloved show which is loved by all generations will grace the stage of the newly redeveloped Quarry Theatre.

It’s the first in-house production in the newly renovated Quarry Hill Theatre. It gives a whole new meaning to “There’s no place like home!”

The show is based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum and it features many of the cherished songs from the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. ‘If I Only Had a Brain’, ‘Follow the Yellow Brick Road’ and Over the Rainbow’ will bring back feelings of pure nostalgia to anybody who’s ever seen the film.

Directed by Playhouse Artistic Director James Brining (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Sunshine on Leith), this new production will run from 20th November 2019 until 25th January 2020.

“Christmas at Leeds Playhouse is always a magical experience and 2019 is set to be extra-special. We can’t wait to welcome everyone into our redeveloped building for this enchanting adventure story for the whole family.”

We can’t think of a better production than The Wizard of Oz to introduce (and reintroduce) patrons to the newly renovated Leeds Playhouse.

There’ll also hosting a sing-a-long performance which encourages the audience to dress up and get involved in the fun. There are also Relaxed and Dementia Friendly performances available.

“The Wizard of Oz will be the centrepiece of our reopening season here at Leeds Playhouse. It is a household favourite full of adventure, excitement and magic. I can’t wait to bring the story to life in a fresh, thrilling way for 2019. It’s going to be incredible to see the new Playhouse come alive and to share with audiences the freshly refurbished theatres, restaurants and bars. With the opening of the new public park on our doorstep, there should be a real festive buzz here on Quarry Hill.”

Wizard of Oz

Tickets are now on general sale. So make sure you polish your ruby red slippers in time to see this truly stellar performance. The Wizard of Oz will not be a production to miss!
https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/the-wizard-of-oz/#tickets

The show will run from 20th November 2019 – 25th January 2020. The full cast and creative team will be announced later in the year.

Cocktails in the City 2019

It’s been described as a delectable festival of drinks, Cocktails in the City is back! Experience over 15 of the city’s most sought after bars all under one roof! The finest mixologists that Leeds has to offer will be shaking, stirring and pouring the most creative cocktails. And best of all, it’s all happening in the gorgeous Leeds Town Hall.

Every cocktail bar genre will be there, from the cosmopolitan rooftop bars to the underground secret speakeasies to the loud, colourful chic settings of the neon-filled bars. Celebrate the diversity and vibrancy of Leeds’ cocktail scene. Do it in style at the UK’s leading cocktail event on March 1st and March 2nd. 

You can find yourself a modern twist on an old classic, über cool creations and more delicious concoctions to try. The city’s most exquisite cocktail bars go head-to-head to create the swankiest NEW signature cocktails created exclusively for the event.

You can sample three new craft spirits in the intimate Tasting Rooms. Celebrate 100 years of the Negroni and try three twists on Italy’s most infamous beverage. There’s also Flavour Pairing sessions and a chance to create your own delicacy in the Garnish Workshop to create the most Instagrammable cocktail.  

While you’re there, you can also tuck into some scrumptious grub thanks to Leeds’ celebrated chefs Luke Downing and Matt Healy who are creating new dishes for you to try.

Work through a vast array of new cocktails before you cast your vote for the winning serve of the night. You can also listen to some live music brought to you by The Domino Club. 

Sip and sample your way through the night with a plethora of boozy beverages with the backdrop of DJs at Leeds Town Hall. There will even be some funk soul sessions with The Gentleman DJ! 

Cocktails in the City – March 1st – March 2nd 2019

Entry ticket of £12.50 includes a welcome cocktail and a cocktail booklet. Additional cocktails are £6.50

Featured bars: 
Angelica, Aperitivo, Below Stairs, Blind Tyger, The Botanist, The Domino, Dough, East 59th, Feed, Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Bar, Issho, Lost and Found, Manahatta, Smokestack, Tattu, Vice and Virtue, The Watermark, The Maven, Grantley Hall

Victoria Ballet World Première at Leeds Grand Theatre

Cathy Mason’s phenomenal ballet, Victoria, will be making its World Première at Leeds Grand Theatre!

Queen Victoria is undeniably one of the most iconic and well-known monarchs in British history. So Northern Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada have co-produced this masterpiece to tell the life and legacy of the late Queen of England. 

Queen Victoria was born on May 24th, 1819 which makes this her 200th birthday year. Victoria had a 63-year reign as the Queen of England. She was known for her turbulent life filled with passion, tragedy and fierce devotion.

Photo Guy Farrow

We know a lot about Victoria thanks to her diaries that revealed a fascinating backstory, so intriguing in fact, that her daughter Beatrice tried to rewrite history. 

Victoria found herself in an irrepressible love for Albert which sparked a royal dynasty but the most powerful woman in history crumbled to her knees with grief after his untimely death. 

Her reign was filled with triumphs in technology from the typewriter, sewing machine, tarmac, photography and film (the first moving image ever recorded was in Leeds!).

Victoria will also be a ‘world’s first’

The first Northern Ballet production to be streamed live on the silver screen, in cinemas across the UK, giving access to the whole country.

The show will run from 9th March – 16th March at Leeds Grand Theatre before touring the UK. The evening performance on Saturday 16th March will be a special celebration of Principle Dancer, Pippa Moore.

Pippa Moore (right) will retire at the end of the spring 2019 season. Photo Guy Farrow.

The evening showing on Saturday 16th March will be Pippa’s last performance in our home city of Leeds. 

This is a definite not to miss production, choreographed by Cathy Marston, who also created Northern Ballet’s acclaimed Jane Eyre.

Get your tickets here: https://northernballet.com/victoria

Hamlet, as you’ve never it before, is coming to Leeds Playhouse

A young woman returns from university to attend the funeral of her father. But when she returns, she finds her whole world turned on its head. Hamlet finds herself consumed by grief but she vows to avenge her father after his brutal murder. This modern take on a Shakespearian classic focuses on the themes of love, loyalty, morality and madness. 

Tessa Parr will be taking on the title role of the contemporary Hamlet. It’s not the first time Hamlet has been played by a female. But this show isn’t just a ‘gender flip’ production, in this play, Hamlet is in a lesbian relationship with Ophelia. Only the role of Hamlet has seen the gender role flipped and the play has adapted the script to use the correct pronouns. 

Judi Dench at the Shakespeare Gala, 2016

Following the acclaimed production of Romeo & Juliet where Tessa Parr played the female lead, she has returned to play this traditional male role as she reunites with director Amy Leach and designer Hayley Grindle. It’s one of the most historically acclaimed British plays of all time and we can’t wait to see Tessa take on the role. 

Rehearsals are in full swing and its shaping up to be an unforgettable performance

To match the modern-day reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic play, the production will feature contemporary costumes and stage design. Think of a Scandi noir visual with a gritty and cold feel to the production. 

Hamlet comes to Leeds Playhouse’s Pop-Up theatre on Friday 1st March and will run until Saturday 30th March.

Get your tickets here: https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/hamlet/#tickets