Curtains Up Leeds: April 2026 Theatre Preview

April in Paris? – Nah – April in Leeds is much better!

Leeds Grand Theatre

At first glance, it doesn’t look as though there is much going on at the Grand this month, but glance again. 

The month begins with the last few dates of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, which started on 18th March and ends on 4th April. It is obviously about the tumultuous life and times of one of the best performers who has ever trod, or shaken their booty on, the boards. You can read my review, so try before you buy.

Shrek: The Musical, presented by Leeds Amateur Operatic Society, fills the week from 7th to 11th April and sees Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and other favourite characters take a trip through the swamp and beyond. If you go to one of the matinees on 8th, 10th or 11th and get there for 1.00pm, for an extra fiver you get to meet the three stars for a photo op, but be quick as there are only 25 slots per day. All the proceeds from this go to The Little Princess Trust. 

Shrek is just one of the events in the Explore programme, which runs at Leeds Heritage Theatre venues and gives families a chance to experience a wide range of performances and activities from 3rd to 18th April. For full details, head here to the programme. 

Back to the adult world from 14th to 18th April and The Constant Wife, starring Kara Tointon. This is by Laura Wade, based on W. Somerset Maugham’s comedy about a peeved wife, whose husband has a mistress, who happens to be her best friend. I will have to go see this to find out which one of them has ticked her off the most. 

Frankie Goes To Bollywood (pictured at the top) returns on 24th and 25th April, charting the journey of Frankie – obvs – who is whisked away from Huddersfield to the glitz of Bollywood. Relax, it isn’t a tribute show as the music and songs are originals written by Tasha Taylor Johnson and Niraj Chag. I am sure that every obstacle can be overcome by the power of love, though.

Leeds Playhouse

Again, the month begins with a hangover from March: Interplay from Phoenix Dance Theatre continues until 2nd April. This is a mixed bill, so bound to be something for everyone. 

From 7th to 11th April we have Punch, which is a true story about Jacob Dunne, a Nottingham teenager who, on a Saturday night out with his mates, throws an impulsive punch that proves fatal for its recipient, James Hodgkinson. The play examines the ramifications for all those connected with the incident

The world’s first sighting of Planet Omar orbiting Courtyard can be witnessed from 7th to 25th April. It is adapted by playwright Asia Khan and director Sameena Hussain, celebrating the idea that a vivid imagination can help overcome obstacles when facing new life experiences, and that friendship and understanding can change the world.

If your taste is for sophisticated comedy then give Quarry a miss on 15th and 16th April as it is staging the return of Rude Science from Stefan Gates, who will be conducting experiments and stunts concentrating on the more embarrassing bodily functions, so expect fart machines, pee-powered fireworks and huge whoopee cushions, hey, what’s not to like, or should that be what snot to like.

This year’s Yorkshire Dance regional festival, FRESH, is taking place on 18th April, when the day will be filled with workshops and rehearsals in a range of genres, leading to the grande finale at 7.30pm. 

Inspired by the life of the legend that is Nina Simone and featuring some of her amazing songs, Black Is The Color Of My Voice is at Quarry on 24th and 25th. It is written by Apphia Campbell following the journey of a piano prodigy to a successful singer and civil rights activist. 

Another work returns on the cusp of the month  29th April to 9th May, I, Daniel Blake. A Geordie, recovering from a heart attack, and a single mother from London meet and together negotiate the obstacles they encounter in making a fresh start. This is a play, adapted by Dave Johns, from a film written by Paul Laverty and directed by Ken Loach, produced by Northern Stage in association with Leeds Playhouse. 

Details of all the above can be found here.

Carriageworks

Gruffalo’s Child, adapted from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, begins April’s attractions on 11th and 12th. The only rule laid down by The Gruffalo is that ’No Gruffalo should ever set foot in the deep, dark wood’, so we all know what’s going to happen when Gruffalo’s Child sees the Big Bad Mouse disappear into the trees, even those in the age group 3+!

Something for the older audience follows on 18th April, with Leila Navabi: Relay. This blends stand-up, electro-pop, musical numbers and hand-drawn animation into a yarn about conception in a queer relationship. First, take one sperm donor, preferably your best mate…..

We cross the bridge from April to May – 25th to 2nd – with works from two members of Leeds Community Arts Network. The first is the Stephen Sondheim Musical, Sunday In The Park With George, from Leeds Gilbert and Sullivan Society, inspired by a painting and deals with the struggles, sacrifices and triumphs of an artist trying to make his mark. I would have thought they only needed to dip their brush in paint and drag it across a canvas. Perhaps I had better stick to writing.

The second is from 29th April to 2nd May, presented by Leeds Arts Centre,and is the George Orwell classic, 1984. It is being performed in The Studio, not Room 101, so you should be OK, although, while you are watching the action on stage, Big Brother could be watching you.

Head to their website to get all the gen and make bookings.

Oh to be in Leeds, now that April’s there.