🎭 March 2025: Best shows to see in Leeds

Things are really hotting up in Theatreland now that March is here, let’s hope the weather will follow suit.

After the amazing productions that comprise the Opera North Winter Season, the format of the first work at Leeds Grand Theatre in March, a hangover from February, remains based on song and acting, but instead of featuring tenors it will probably be full of tenners, fivers and possibly dodgy fifties. It is Only Fools and Horses: The Musical, featuring Paul Whitehouse as Grandad. It began its run on 24th February and ends on 1st March with both a matinee and evening show. Understandably tickets are limited so get yours now. I have just looked at the info part of the publicity and the age guidance is universal, which seems odd as I thought that there would be at least one Trigger Warning! Plonkers.  

4th to 8th March continues in musical vein with Calamity Jane (main image), starring Carrie Hope Fletcher as the eponymous heroine, in the Wild West, no, not the Pennines of Todmorden, but the Black Hills of Dakota, so Whip-Crack-Away and point your wagon at New Briggate.

Just so that culture seekers don’t feel left out, 14th To 22nd sees Northern Ballet present Jane Eyre, which is set much nearer Tod, on the bleak moors of Howarth. See the story of relationship between Jane and Mr Rochester develop, bringing twists and turns, with the odd pas de deux thrown in for good measure. Choreography is by Cathy – hang on, isn’t that Withering Heights? – Marston and the music is played live, even in these days of cutbacks. There are two related events on 20th March, NB Jane Eyre Northern Ballet Revealed, and NB Jane Eyre Over 55’s Workshop. I would go but my ballet tights are laddered.

The month comes to a close with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat from 25th to 29th March. It stars Joe McElderry as Pharaoh in the London Palladium Production. I think we all know the story, and the songs so we should have a pharaohed time. 

Once again, Leeds City Varieties is screening a drama, this time Macbeth with David Tennant and Cush Jumbo. It is on Sunday, 9th March and there are two showings, 3.00pm and 7.00pm. Good job it is screened, they wouldn’t be able to mop up all the blood from the stage in time for the second performance if it were live.

For full details of everything head to Leeds Heritage Theatres.

At Leeds Playhouse there is The House Party on 1st March, this is an overrun from February and a new take on Miss Julie by Strindberg. It is set at a house party, no – really, where the booze and conversation flows, with varying consequences. 

On the same day, 1st March, and for one performance only, there is Buffy Revamped, in which Spike brings you the whole 144 – how gross – episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, in one hour and ten minutes. Tickets are limited so stake your claim now, and don’t forget the garlic and crucifix.

Speaking of otherworldly beings, The Intrusion runs from 1st until 8th March in Bramall Rock Void. It concerns a community who have outlived humans after the end of the world. Can they repair the damage we have done and who gets to survive? My money’s on the insects!

In total contrast, from 6th to 8th March in Quarry, Phoenix Dance perform Giovanni’s Room, a full length dance inspired by the book of the same name, by James Baldwin, to mark the centenary of his birth. Choreography is by Marcus Jarrell Willis, music from Mark Strobel. 

The Ancient Oak of Baldor plays Bramall Rock Void on 11th and 12th but is already sold out so it will be returns only.

From 12th to 29th March at Quarry we have another birthday, this time of the classic George Orwell novel Animal Farm, which is turning 80. For those who don’t know, and those who do, it is a satire on the exercise and abuse of power. The work has been adapted for the stage by Tatty Hennessy and is directed by Amy Leach. ‘All animals are equal. But some are more equal than others.’ Same goes for reviewers!

In total contrast, 12th to 15th March sees Courtyard stage Kim’s Convenience. No, not a play about Ms Kardashian’s diamond encrusted gold toilet, but a comedy about a family-run Korean convenience store in Canada, which inspired the Netflix show. It is written by Ins Choi and performances begin at 7.45pm with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm so not open all hours.

Bramall Rock Void presents, ….blackbird hour, from 13th to 15th March. It is about Eshe, a queer Black woman learning to love herself when love has made itself scarce. It is written by babirye bukilwa and directed by malakaï sargeant. (sic)

Something for babies and toddlers in Bramham Rock Void on 18th and 19th March, with three performances per day of, Persephone: A Tale of the Seasons, in which the eponymous character guides you through the changes in nature, collecting things on their way. The running time is 45 minutes plus a 10 minute stay and play period. Sounds like fun.

On the same dates at Courtyard, there is Driftwood about two brothers on a beach at Seaton Carew in the North-East. Their dad is dying and the town crumbling exposing family rifts and political divides. A figure made of driftwood stalks the shore at night making for a moving, and sometimes funny, story. It is written by Tim Foley and presented by ThickSkin and Pentabus.

On 21st and 22nd March, Courtyard presents Mid Life, a frank, comedic exposé of menopausal Mid Life. It is a show packed with razor sharp humour and disco, so what’s not to like. It even ends with an hour-long dance party. Will the playlist include Bowie’s Changes and Donna Summer’s Hot Flush?

The month draws to a close on 25th and 26th March with the Coram Shakespeare Schools’ Festival, which is the largest youth drama festival in the world! As its name suggests, the Bard’s stories will be brought to life by pupils from local schools. Much Ado About Something Special. Head to Leeds Playhouse for all tickets. 

Carriageworks is also hosting Coram Shakespeare Schools Festivals with a weeklong Will fest from 10th to 14th March, staging a series of abridged works performed by local schools. They begin at 7.00pm and run for 2 hours 10 minutes plus a 20 minute interval. Sadly the playwright himself won’t be able to get a half-time drink, he’s Bard!

Before that, they have an overrun from February in Hangmen, which ends on 1st March and is a comedy about the second-best hangman in England, who is also a pub landlord. It is for 16 year-olds and above. I have no further noose about it.

Also on 1st March is Risk/Reward, two original shows created and performed by Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers. They are suitable for all ages. Risk is about four friends who start  YouTube channel which spirals out of control, whilst Reward sees what happens when a risk-averse young person steps out of their comfort zone to get a new job. Both worth taking a chance on.

It’s The Economy, Stupid! is a new show examining how the economy wins elections and why it is so complicated. Will that be just the one ticket, Ms Reeves? It runs for an hour with age guidance of 13+ and is on 21st March.

Two weekend treats for the young ‘uns now. Room on the Broom is for those who are 3+ and is performed at various times on 22nd and 23rd March. Apparently the witch and her cat are taking passengers on the sweeping implement, a dog, a bird and a frog, but the trouble starts when they come across the dragon!

The Jungle Book is opened by Leeds Children’s Theatre from 27th to 30th March, again at various times. Join Mowgli, Bagheera, Baloo and Shere Khan for fun and adventure in the undergrowth. Age 6+ 

Finally we have BI-TOPIA on 28th March, it is for 12+ and explores the highs and lows of the bisexual experience. It is billed as an hour of ‘exceptional queer comedy’. As I would like to contribute the April theatre preview for Welcome to Leeds, I will leave it at that!

I will be reviewing a lot of the shows above so please go to Tyke it to the limit if you would like to see what I thought of them.