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.


Dinner 18:55 – Two Generations Finding Common Ground at Leeds Playhouse

There’s not long now until Leeds Playhouse stages Dinner 18:55. A unique intergenerational production performed by participates from Leeds Playhouse’s younger and older people’s programmes. 

The performance was developed by Leeds Playhouse’s award-winning Creative Engagement department and it will showcase 18 community actors across two generations from the Leeds area. Leeds Playhouse firmly believes there’s nothing quite like bringing people together!

Rehearsals for Dinner 18:55 are already in full swing for the show which opens at the Playhouse on 22nd February. 

In Dinner 18:55, we see the ensemble sharing real stories and experiences as well as their aspirations and fears while discussing their memorable mealtimes. The themes of the performance focus loneliness, conversation and community during these divisive times.

“Rehearsing for Dinner 18:55 has been an absolute delight! I’ve been encouraged to contribute to the process and have felt valued throughout. Nowadays I tend to attend daytime classes and social activities mixing almost exclusively with other retired people. I was really excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with a younger generation, and I wasn’t disappointed. Working with much younger people has been exhilarating and great fun. We all get on so well and continue to learn from each other at every rehearsal.” Pat White, Dinner 18:55 performer

The show is directed by Leeds Playhouse’s Older People’s Programme Manager Maggie De Ruyck, with original music composed by Caution Collective’s Christella Litras and designed by Laura Ann Price.

Join the escapades as we embark on a venture where two generations make time for conversation over dinner. It’s an intergenerational performance that helps bridge the gap in our community. Intergenerational conversation and community spirit is certainly something we can all take away from this brilliant production.

Dinner 18:55 plays in Leeds Playhouse’s Pop-Up theatre from 22nd to 23rd February. 

Get your tickets here: https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk/events/dinner-1855/#tickets 

We’re partnering with Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse has announced a five-year cultural partnership with SOYO as part of the landmark Playhouse redevelopment project. Confirmed as a Principal Capital Partner, SOYO (part of the Yorkshire-based Caddick Group) provides a welcome boost to the Playhouse’s redevelopment and vital financial support through this period of revitalisation.

SOYO, the £300m redevelopment within Leeds’ cultural quarter, has pledged a long-term commitment to supporting West Yorkshire Playhouse, alongside Moda which is delivering hundreds of new homes for rent at SOYO. They will join Irwin Mitchell as Principal Capital Partners of the Playhouse’s redevelopment

The £14m redevelopment project, led in partnership with Leeds City Council, will be funded by £4.4m from the City Council, alongside a £6.6m Arts Council England contribution and £3m from the Playhouse’s own resources (including a fundraising target of £2.3m). The proposals for the redevelopment which will mark a vital new chapter in the Playhouse’s long history will see the building transformed and modernised to include changes and improved access to the theatre, a new city-facing entrance and the addition of a new studio theatre space in the Bramall Rock Void.

The five-year partnership includes financial support for Leeds Playhouse’s redevelopment, which is due to start in June 2018, as well as support for the Playhouse to continue to produce great shows during the construction works. The centrepiece of the collaboration is the Playhouse’s Pop Up theatre, in association with SOYO, which will temporarily transform a workshop space on the Playhouse site into a 350-seat theatre, presenting a full and varied programme throughout Autumn 2018 to Spring 2019.

This innovative, long term partnership creates a unique opportunity to experience the Playhouse as it has never been seen before in an environment changing and growing into SOYO  at the heart of the cultural quarter of Leeds.

Leeds Playhouse Executive Director Robin Hawkes said“The Playhouse is delighted to work with Caddick Group and help develop the vision for the SOYO neighbourhood. The Playhouse redevelopment will generate a new focus for the city and establish a base to attract artists and creatives from across Yorkshire and the North. We are proud to be partnering with a business that shares a passion for Leeds and an ambition to build the future of the cultural quarter.”

Myles Hartley, MD at Caddick Developments, the company behind SOYO, said: “SOYO is proud to be collaborating with its neighbours to create one of the best places in the UK to live, work, play, learn and be entertained. Since our initial discussions, West Yorkshire Playhouse has been a keen supporter of SOYO and our vision to create a heart & home in Leeds’ most culturally significant area, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with the Playhouse and especially to our association with the Pop Up theatre over the coming months.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership, added: “Leeds City Region has a strong cultural heritage which resonates internationally and is a key driver for investment. The news of this new partnership between SOYO and West Yorkshire Playhouse is fantastic for both the city and the region, and I look forward to the opening of the Pop Up theatre in Autumn 2018 which will continue the Playhouse’s tradition of great programming during the redevelopment.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said: “Following our recently launched cultural strategy and £35m programme taking us to Leeds 2023, we will soon announce the ‘Our Spaces’ strategy transforming and developing our public realm and city spaces into cultural venues. It’s pleasing therefore to see developers understand the benefits that culture and collaboration can bring in today’s partnership between this landmark development and West Yorkshire Playhouse, which is a welcome example of both and our ambition for the city.”

This story was originally published at https://leedsplayhouse.org.uk