July 2025: Best shows to see in Leeds

I can’t remember a summer being so quiet on the theatre front, but then again, at my age, I can’t remember much about anything. 

We begin at the Grand as usual, where, from 1st to 5th July, we find The Girl on the Train, unless she has been put on a bus replacement service. I have seen this at Leeds Playhouse and it is a proper thriller, not one of those silly thrillers. It is about a girl on a train, sorry for the spoiler there, who watches a couple through their window each night whilst passing on the trip home. One evening the woman is gone and she becomes embroiled in the investigation into her disappearance. There is no need to limbo under the barriers at the station either, as, if you book for both this show and By Royal Appointment (24th to 28th June), you get 20% off both tickets. Sadly this offer cannot be used in conjunction with a rail card. 

It would appear that the residents of Leeds and its environs are Six maniacs, as this musical about Henry VIII’s wives has already sold out. It is on from 8th to 12th July if you fancy your chances of a return.

There are a couple of two-night stands on offer which might be of interest: 

Cirque: The Greatest Show Reimagined, on 13th and 14th, a mixture of banging show tunes and circus performances. Once again I don’t think there will be clowns in a car that falls apart. Maybe next time.

The other is a dance show with two of Strictly’s professionals; Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola. It is called Red Hot and Ready, but doesn’t say which is which. You can find out on 18th and 19th July.

Back to more conventional theatre now, with Fiddler on the Roof, running from 29th July until 2nd August. It tells of a Jewish milkman who has five daughters whom he is in the process of marrying off, using the services of a matchmaker. Obviously set in the days before dating apps. There are the classic songs, If I Were A Rich Man (I’d still be skint after paying for five weddings!), Matchmaker and Sunrise, Sunset.

At Leeds City Varieties you can find Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and no, it isn’t a streamed event for once, it is a live production presented by Leeds Grand Youth Theatre from 24th to 27th July. Get your golden ticket – alright, paper – and see what the 8-18 year-olds are up to. 

From 3rd to 6th July, there is a bit of a hybrid with a screening of Baz Luhrmann’s film, Romeo + Juliet with a live choir performing the songs. If you know City Varieties you will realise what a special space it is, something which will be made even more intimate with candle-lit aisles. 

Full details of the above shows are at https://leedsheritagetheatres.com/whats-on/

Over at Leeds Playhouse, Through It All Together, continues its run until 19th July, by which time I will have posted my review as it begins on 23rd June. It is a love letter to Marcelo Bielsa, the former Leeds United manager, but don’t worry, I am not going to make my upturned bucket joke again. Oops!

More young talent is on show at Barber Studio from 10th to 12th July. It says here that ‘the teenage brain has 86 billion neurons connecting and colliding to produce a stage of life that is chaotic, exhilarating and, at times, frustrating.’ That may well be true but I seem to recall that none of that happened until at least ten in the morning. Brainstorm is a piece co-created and performed by Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre, if they can be bovvered.

No such moodies at Quarry on 22nd and 23rd July for Bing’s Birthday – must be an overnighter. Songs, puppets and comedy bring this CBeebies series to life. So get along and celebrate with your favourite characters. 

Between 27th June and 19th July, Leeds Playhouse will be utilising its various spaces in staging Open Season, showcasing community performances. The theme is A Leeds United and tickets are on a pay what you can basis, so go HERE for a full programme.

Only one event at Carriageworks this month, and that is Beauty and the Beast, presented by Yorkshire Theatre Ballet, from 3rd to 5th July. It is given an age guidance of 4+ and there are early performances on the Saturday. 

So, there you are, July duly sorted. As usual you can read what I have to say about the shows at https://tyke-it-to-the-limit.com/ 

EDIT Since I submitted my main article for July, I was told by an actor friend of mine – it’s not what you know, it’s who you know – that after, a five-year break. Slung Low Shorts is being revived. This is a collection of six short plays which cover a range of subjects so there is bound to be something you like , indicating that the opposite might be true as well, but when I saw the last offerings they were superbly written, acted and directed, so must be worth a shot. Tickets re bookable through the website but are on a pay as you decide basis so you can divvie up what you see fit. Performances, at various times between 25th and 27th July, are at Slung Low Warehouse in Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9RQ. For full details of this show and other events at the Warehouse, please go to https://www.slunglow.org/shows/