Curtains Up Leeds: March 2026 Theatre Preview

At last, spring has arrived, at least the Meteorological Office’s version, so it’s time to come out of hibernation and head to the theatre, once you have cleared the snow from your drive. 

Should you need any incentive, you are spoiled for choice with a wide variety of productions across Leeds this month. 

Leeds Heritage Theatres Highlights

Let’s start on 2nd March at Leeds City Varieties, with the screening of the National Theatre Live: The Audience. This is the 2013 Peter Morgan play starring Helen Mirren, on which he based the Netflix series The Crown. It takes us into the weekly meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and the prime ministers who served during her reign. 

On 7th March, Leeds Grand Theatre is host to the World Premiere of Gentleman Jack, a co-production between Northern Ballet and Finnish National Opera and Ballet. It tells the story of Anne Lister as gleaned from her diaries, discovered after her death. If you can’t get to the big night, then fear not, it runs until 14th March. Check out and scroll down to find special offers on ticket prices. You’re welcome.

To complete the trio of formidable women, we have Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, at Leeds Grand from 17th March to 4th April. This is the final stop on the UK and Ireland Tour so miss it at your peril. Amazing music from an amazing woman.

More information can be found at Leeds Heritage Theatres and Northern Ballet.

Leeds Playhouse: Theatre, Dance and New Work

Leeds Playhouse brings us its usual eclectic mix of presentations, beginning with a Motionhouse production, Hidden, on 6th and 7th March. Its blurb describes it as ‘a powerful blend of art forms. Gravity-defying choreography, an emotive soundscape and a shape-shifting set combine with groundbreaking projections to create an immersive world on stage.’ Not much I can add to that then.

11th to 28th March sees Small Island, Andrea Levy’s novel, adapted for stage by Helen Edmundson, telling the story of Windrush immigrants, Hortense and Gilbert, searching for belonging and respect. Expect a powerful story of the beginning of a cultural shift for all concerned, backed by a soundtrack of Caribbean music and visuals. 

Please Do Not Touch concludes its tour at Bramall Rock Void on 12th and 13th March. It is a one-man show in which Mason, a social justice TikToker, is wrongfully imprisoned in a Young Offender Institution and faces built-in obstacles to getting justice.

Something a bit more upbeat, literally, is at Courtyard from 12th to 14th March. It is a hip-hop retelling of the Pied Piper fairy tale, incorporating beatboxers, musicians and performers. Can a mysterious stranger rid the town of Hamelin of its rat problem and get the local pie factory to lift its music ban? I told you it was a retelling!

My Brother’s A Genius, no, not my brother, I don’t have one, but Daisy’s twin brother, Luke. In contrast, Daisy is regarded as an idiot, but they share a dream of flying, which could make or break their relationship. Find out on 14th March.

Walter Tull was the first black footballer to play at the highest level and also the first black British Army Officer. His story is told in Our Little Hour, a musical drama, on 20th and 21st March, so why not go along to find out more?

True to its inclusivity ethos, The Ancient Oak of Baldor is presented at Bramall Rock Void. It is a folk fantasy and multi-sensory experience for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities, offering the chance to gather and experience the collective power of shared stories. It runs from 23rd to 25th March. 

imitating the dog (sic) return to Courtyard from 25th to 28th March with HG Wells’s War of the Worlds. Four performers enter the stage with cameras and construct an epic road movie before our eyes. They utilise models, projections and camera tricks to recreate the classic sci-fi novel – novel being the operative word!

And now for something completely different – at every performance! Handle With Care is described as theatre stripped down to its essence, No actors, no technicians, just a box, and you. Ontroerend Goed puts you in control. He provides the structure; you shape the experience on 27th and 28th March in Bramall Rock Void.

On the cusp of the month, 31st March to 2nd April, Phoenix Dance Theatre presents a mixed bill of dance, obvs, called Interplay. There are four works each by different choreographers so a good variety. These events are always well worth a visit. 

For more information about all the above, head to Leeds Playhouse. 

Carriageworks Theatre and Festival Performances

There is a bit of a crossover here between Leeds Playhouse and Carriageworks among many other national venues, who participate in the world’s largest  youth drama festival. It takes place in Carriageworks from 2nd to 6th March and Courtyard on 17th and 18th March, when Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation features a series of abridged works by the bard. Full details of the programme are available at the festival website.  

In Carriageworks Main Auditorium from 16th March until 21st March we have Zog. ‘A roaring, soaring musical for brave little dragons everywhere.’ 

In stark contrast Leeds Children’s Theatre take over from 26th to 29th March to give us The Snow Queen, and I started off by saying March heralded the beginning of spring! I am sure they will still have the heating on.

All you need to know is on the Carriageworks site.