🎭 September 24 Best Shows To See in Leeds

After the drought which was August, we see the trickle of a stream in September, which will hopefully turn into a torrent as the year comes to a close.

The Grand Theatre reopens this month with a series of one-night stands covering music, comedy and miscellanea until 27th when Opera North presents the first of its 2024-2025 season productions, The Magic Flute by Mozart. This is one of the all-time classics with a story which has everything: Young Girl, Dashing Prince, Monster, Three Mysterious Women, The Queen of the Night, Evil Priest of the Sun, Mistaken Identity, A Series of Love Induced Trials, Bird Catcher and, oh yes, a Magic Flute. As you would expect from Wolfgang Amadeus, the music is superb. For more details and to book, where, if you scroll down, you will also be able to sample some tunes and trailers.

If you are partial to seeing streamed drama from National Theatre, then City Varieties is showing the brilliant Jodie Comer in Suzie Miller’s award-winning play, Prima Facie. This is a solo performance from Ms Comer, which, by all accounts is well worth seeing. I might be a little wary, however, should my name be Eve!

Leeds Playhouse is back in full swing with the staging of Cluedo 2 from 3rd – 7th September. I am sure that all you amateur sleuths out there will have worked out that this is a follow-up to Cluedo, and, if you haven’t, don’t worry, it is a farce so they might not have worked that out yet either. I have been told by the editor of this esteemed website, who has been instrumental in the turning of Leeds into a giant Monopoly board, it is pure coincidence that this play, based on a game, originally devised and manufactured by John Waddington of Leeds, is running hot on the heels of that event. The play stars Jason Burr as Colonel Mustard and Strictly Come Dancing Champion, Ellie Leach as Miss Scarlet.

There is a Tough Old Bird, Nana Funk’s words not mine, in Bramall Rock Void on 6th and 7th, featuring ’the great-great-grandmother of good times.’ Should be great, great. It examines the way in which women are perceived by society when they have the temerity to get old.

In the same space from 12th to 14th, is Follow The Signs, a fully BSL-led hip-hop gig theatre show. It tells the story of acclaimed dancer and choreographer, Chris Fonseca, from infant hood when he became Deaf after contracting meningitis, to his teenage years, when, like most of us, music entered his life. It continues through his meeting Raffie Julien, a mixed-race Deaf woman and explores their relationship.

I must admit to be looking forward to A Raisin in the Sun, which runs from 13th to 28th September in the Courtyard. It is a play by Lorraine Hansberry and examines the ways in which each member of a black family living in a rented apartment on Chicago’s South Side, deals with their desires to escape the confines of a segregated society, after their father leaves them a life-changing amount of money via his insurance policy. It is directed by Tinuke Craig who also did Jitney, one of the best things I have ever seen.

The Quarry stages Sebastian Faulks’s story of love and loss, Birdsong, from 17th to 21st September. It is a love affair set amid the First World War starring Max Bowden as Jack Firebrace and produced by Original Theatre.

Bringing the month to a close at the Quarry, we have Rush: A Joyous Jamaican Journey, on 24th and 25th. It is a musical, narrated by John Simmit, telling the story of the Windrush Generation and Reggae, with music made famous by Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Cliff, Bob Marley, Millie Small et al performed by JA Reggae Band.  For all things Leeds Playhouse. 

Ballet lovers are in for a treat when Northern Ballet present another in their series entitled Three Short Ballets. Even if you didn’t work out the Cluedo 2 name, I am sure you will get this! From 6th to 14th September, Victory Dance, choreographed by Kristen McNally, Four Last Songs, Rudi van Dantzig and Fools, Mthuthuzeli November will be performed at Leeds Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. These are three contrasting pieces of work and, being short, are a great way to test out the medium should you not be a ballet buff. If you are, then I am sure you will be excited to see what Northern Ballet have in store for you. For full details,

Carriageworks has a varied programme for September with four one-off performances. 12th sees Patti Boo Rae and her band the Do-Gooders performing music from country greats while dealing with LGBT+ rights in Texas, and here!

Not been able to get a ticket for Hamilton? Worry not, because on 14th September, the stars of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023, present Shamilton. Hip-hop, songs, and choreography all improvised to produce a musical based on a historical figure of your choosing. Genghis Khan, Winston Churchill, Kim Kardashian, the list of world-changing figures is endless.

On Friday, 27th September we meet Sonny in the new play Lash. No, it isn’t a night of S&M but the story of a young lad’s night out getting hammered, possibly in more ways than one. It promises to tell us what life is really like for the youth of today.

Fireman Sam puts in an appearance on 29th September in The Great Camping Adventure. I have only been camping once as I got arrested for loitering within tent! The age guidance is 2+ and even the youngest theatregoer will probably roll their eyes over that joke. It features Norman, who finds himself stranded in a cave after following two famous animal explorers into the mountains. Will Fireman Sam save the day or will he have to tender – geddit? – his resignation and form a Full Monty Hen Night Group? For full details of their Autumn/Winter Programme please go to their website

So, at last, something to write about and, hopefully, go see. Enjoy!