November 2025: Best shows to see in Leeds

November? No kidding? No way! Another year flashes past and the mood begins to turn festive. Let’s hope that feeling lasts into next summer now that England have qualified for the World Cup Finals. 

From 4th to 8th November, to get us into the mood for our attempt at global domination, the month kicks off at Leeds Grand Theatre with the National Theatre production of Dear England, the story of Gareth Southgate’s tenure as England Football Manager, during which time he brought us to the brink of glory. It stars David Sturzaker as the man himself with Samantha Womack as Pippa Grange, the team psychologist. What we really need is a supporters’ psychologist! 

If you are not convinced that the footie team can get the job done without a touch of divine intervention, then you need to get along to the other show at this magnificent theatre between 11th and 29th when they are staging The Book of Mormon. This is the smash which was written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, who created South Park, and Robert Lopez Lopez, co-writer of Avenue Q and the songs from Frozen. Should be about as subtle as a sledgehammer but with an irritating ear worm.  

For something a little more cerebral, Leeds City Varieties is screening National Theatre Live’s Mrs Warren’s Profession on 15th November. It stars Imelda Staunton and, aptly, her daughter, Bessie Carter, in the roles of  mother and daughter in this moral classic by  George Bernard Shaw.

Here it comes – the first Christmas Show of the season, Aladdin: The Rock’n’Roll Panto, from 28th November to 11th January, 2026. The annual City Varieties feast is full of fun, frolics, music, dance corny jokes and single-entendres. This is where I have my annual Guess The Song Contest, but it is a bit difficult tis year, there will obviously be The Jean Genie and possibly Lamplight, they may even dance the Lampada – look, they started the corny jokes.

For details of all the shows at Leeds Heritage Theatres, please go to here.

Leeds Playhouse has its usual diverse selection beginning with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein on 1st November. This is a fresh take on the classic as it is told from the point of view of the author as she struggles with her feelings towards her creation. The work is performed by the students of Leeds Conservatiore.

Everybody is catered for on 7th and 8th with The Colour of Dinosaurs, when Dr Jakob Vinter fills us in on his discovery as to – you guessed it – what colour dinosaurs really were. The twist is that it is done through storytelling, singing and dancing, by a team of neurodivergent and disabled performers, to celebrate people’s differences and their love of dinosaurs, obviously! It is aimed at 6-12 year-olds and their families.

12th and 13th November sees something completely different with Mark Thomas playing Frankie, a recovering addict, who has just been sent down for three and a half years for dealing – and I don’t mean playing cards – in Ordinary Decent Criminal. The running time is listed as 70 minutes, but you might get out in 35 with time off for good behaviour.

The Legends of Them on 18th and 19th November tells the story of reggae pioneer Sutara Gayle, AKA Lorna Gee, who is herself no stranger to the inside of a cell. After a period of turbulence she finds herself at a silent retreat seeking spiritual guidance. Don’t Worry About A Thing as there is plenty of music so Every Little Thing’s Gonna Be Alright. Not only that, but there will be an exhibition of Female Pioneers of Reggae in the Newlyn Gallery at the Playhouse from 10th to 22nd November. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there is also a post-show gig following the performance on 18th, which is free to attendees. 

Here comes the biggie. This year’s Festive Blockbuster is Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, adapted by Deborah McAndrew who has set it in Leeds. Fancy moving the story of a tight-fisted grumpy old git to Yorkshire….Oh, go on then.  They seem to have spoilt it by adding festive fun, lively music and a sprinkle of magic, I don’t know, they can’t leave anything alone nowadays. It begins on 20th November and runs until 17th January, 2026. It looks as though I will not only have to take a bag of humbugs with me but a couple of lemons to suck as well. Bah!!!!

Full details, bookings and a couple of trailers can be found here. 

Over to Carriageworks where the month begins with the final two dates for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show which I previewed last month and goes on until 2nd November.

Leeds Children’s Theatre present The Gingerbread Man from 6th to 9th November, which also celebrates their 90th Anniversary. It seems as though the cuckoo in the clock has lost his voice and is on his way to the skip, but Salt, Pepper and The Gingerbread Man have other ideas, even though it risks getting on the wrong side of a gangster mouse. I’m sure all will be well with everyone joining in the songs by the end.

This year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty, runs from 21st November through to 4th January, 2026. This one has it all, a wicked fairy, a princess, a dashing prince, a good fairy, a bestie, and a kiss to break the spell, so they will either all live happily ever after or the prince will join the pair from the Playhouse in stir on a charge of sexual harassment. 

What’s this – a second pantomime? A Hit and Miss Christmas is presented by Cosmopolitan Players and is about a theatre company debating whether the panto they put on this year should be a traditional one, or something more cutting edge by their new Artistic Director. You can find out between 26th and 29th November. 

Please head here to find out more.

Mea culpa. I omitted a show last month which I really should have included. Fortunately it runs until 1st November so qualifies for this article. It is Northern Ballet’s Little Red Riding Hood, which has begun its run at Leeds Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, so you don’t have to wait to begin the festivities with the little ones. Northern Ballet’s productions for children are always special and a great way to introduce them to both ballet and theatre in general. Please see their website for booking and a trailer.

Have a great November and I will be back next month with lots of Ho! Ho! Ho! and hopefully not much No! No! No! To find out which of those categories apply to the above productions, please read my reviews at Tyke it to the limit.