🎭 December 2024: Best shows to see in Leeds

Here we are then, the Festive Season is with us again, but before you get all comfort and joy, we need to get one production out of the way.

From 3rd to 7th December the Grand Theatre is staging a regular visitor in Blood Brothers. I have seen this a couple of times and will probably be going again. It is a powerful study on what decides the course of lives, dealing with twins who are separated at birth. Is it nature or nurture which makes us what we are? Go along and see. The music is great as well.

Northern Ballet takes over on 17th December with A Christmas Carol which runs until 4th January, 2025. This is already on tour but comes home to Leeds for Crimble so get into the mood for the big day by indulging in a world-class company performing a spectacular  production. It runs until 4th January, 2025 so plenty of opportunity but book early as it is sure to be popular.

Over at Leeds City Varieties and Music Hall, to give it its Sunday name, we have the annual Rock’n’Roll Pantomime, which this year is Jack and the Beanstalk. Seats are already limited so get yours now before it’s behind you. Just soya know I am sure that a mung the dance and song there will be some bean jokes, so do a runner to the box office for your tickets. It is staged from 29th November to 12th January, 2025. Age guidance is 4+, unlike my jokes 4-.

Head to Leeds Heritage Theatre for all Grand Theatre, City Varieties and Hyde Park Picture House or visit Northern Ballet.

The Quarry at Leeds Playhouse is host to The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe from 18th November until 25th January, 2025. Please don’t make the mistake of going to the pub next door, which is called The Wardrobe, and asking for a ticket to The Lion, The Witch and The Playhouse. This promises to live up to previous years’ award-winning Christmas shows, so book now. Age guidance is 6+.

For those a little younger, 3+, Mr Snow (main picture) occupies the Courtyard at Leeds Playhouse from 30th November until 4th January, 2025. The running time is 60 minutes and the show is staged at various times of the day.

On 4th and 5th December, why not pop to Bramall Rock Void, which will not be void of Glam Rock, with some banging tracks, as the stars and audience try to save The Paradise Club from closure. Santa will be making an appearance, or is it Ziggy Stardust? The show is presented by Bright Sparks, the majority of whose actors are Learning Disabled. So join the Heroes and Let’s Dance, I am sure that everything will be Hunky Dory. Head to Leeds Playhouse for a full list of shows.

On to The Carriageworks where the Pantomime is Beauty and the Beast which runs from 22nd November to 5th January, 2025 at various times. Age guidance is 5+ so one for all the family. I am sure we all know the story about the handsome Count who is turned I to a frightening Beast by a sorceress, it must be nice to have been handsome at one stage.

Finally, for the 2 – 7 year-olds there is The Lost Present….A Christmas Adventure. It plays from 14th to 31st December at various times and consists of storytelling, music and puppetry so prepare to be mesmerised. Full details and booking at Carriageworks Theatre.

So that’s about it then. All that is left is for me to wish you a very Happy Christmas, and hope that you manage to visit at least one of the brilliant shows at the above venues. I will be going to several so, if you want to know what I think about them, please join me at my website as I get very lonely there on my own.