Curtains Up Leeds: June 2026 Theatre Preview

June is named after Juno the goddess of youth, so we should be in the right frame of mind for the productions this month.

Leeds Grand Theatre

Leeds Grand Theatre has only two offerings for we of a dramatic bent this month, starting on 9th to 13th June with Legally Blonde – The Musical. This is a tale about a young woman determined to transform from being a fashionista to top lawyer. Can she succeed at the bar as well as she did in the bar? Now let me guess. It stars Amber Davies as Elle, great name for a fashion influencer.

Mamma Mia! The second show also concerns a young woman whose life is being transformed, this time by getting married. It runs for two weeks from 16th to 27th June, by which time she should have sussed out which one of three suspects is her father. The action is set on a Greek island, so let’s hope that the weather in Leeds can set the mood. Even if it doesn’t, we still have plenty of bangers from everyone’s guilty pleasure band, Abba.

Leeds Playhouse

Youth is also in the frame at Leeds Playhouse, where Perfect Show For Rachel continues its run until 6th June.

Blue Mist, at Courtyard from 17th to 20th June, concerns three young men; Jihad, Rashid and Asif, who hang at a place called Chunkyz Shisha Lounge, where they examine the way in which young Muslim men handle a system where the cards are stacked against them. Don’t worry, there are plenty of comic moments, what else can you expect when three lads get together to pass the time.

From 18th June to 11th July, Quarry stages Brassed Off, based on the classic film set in the Yorkshire mining community of Grimley, where the pit faces closure and the town, decimation. Enter Gloria, a young, talented horn player who has arrived in town and joins the brass band, giving them a ray of hope in a time of gloom. Thirty years on from the film, we all now know it was to no avail, but the journey back in time is an excuse to listen to some great music played by local brass bands, as well as have a good laugh.

Still with the young in mind, Windrush By Song in Courtyard on 22nd and 23rd June, concerns a brother and sister who discover an old photograph of their grandparents in 1940s Nevis. Their story unfolds as they come to England to begin a new life together, with all that that entailed in those days.

The month comes to a close with two dance productions; Fireflies at Dawn in Courtyard on 24th and 25th from Unbound Dance Theatre, depicting the search for connection, using experiences of their visually impaired and sighted dancers employing sounds, lights and touch as well as new wearable technology.

Finally, for one night only, 27th June, there is NYDC x Alleyne Dance, where the combined talents of National Youth Dance Company (run by Sadler’s Wells) and Alleyne Dance, come together in a brand new show called Memory Keepers, utilising athletic, fast-paced and and rhythmically driven moves. This is the tenth annual collaboration between NYDC and other companies, some of which have produced stars of the future.

Carriageworks

Carriageworks has a couple of features, beginning with A Bright Room Called Day, from 17th to 20th June, an examination of the perils of the world over the past century and asks do we get involved or simply look away.

The month comes to a close with We Will Rock You from LIDOS, who, like Leeds Arts Centre who present the above piece, are members of Leeds Community Arts Network. I don’t need to tell you that this is the hit musical based on the works of Queen, so plenty of bangers.

Juno What?

June always starts on a different weekday to any other month and finishes on the same one as March. You’re welcome.