West Yorkshire Playhouse
Cruising swiftly towards its fiftieth birthday, the Playhouse is without doubt Yorkshire’s finest arts centre. Spread out across several auditoria, the programme here is renowned for its size and diversity, featuring some of the country’s biggest names alongside its own award-winning productions as well as fringe shows. The Playhouse recently announced a £6.6m renovation project which will see the theatre transformed into an even bigger space and allowing it to develop its role as one the country’s most important artistic centres.
Student value? Big names mean big prices, but their offer of students tickets combined with an excellent, cheaper fringe programme still makes The Playhouse great for students.
Best upcoming events? Phoenix Dance Theatre (17th-20th Feb) & The Damned United (4th Mar-2nd Apr)
Live Art Bistro
The fringe scene in Leeds is strong, regularly playing host to new writers and some of the finest talent Edinburgh has to offer. Leading the pack of dedicated fringe spaces is the Live Art Bistro, a voluntarily run performance venue that has been based on Regent Street since 2015. Push back the huge blacked-out doors of its warehouse frontage and you’ll step into a unique creative space: all faded sofas and tricky lighting. Thanks to the experienced team behind the theatre, its programme continues to challenge and boost Leeds’s cultural scene as well as offering a memorable night for any forward-thinking student.
Student value? Prices are in keeping with the ethos of the space, offering an affordable theatre experience.
Best upcoming events? Daniel Oliver – Weird Séance & Long Table (5th Mar) & FAILUR Lab (20th-21st Feb)
The Carriageworks Theatre
The Carriageworks is perfectly placed for students, situated in the Electric Press on Millennium Square. Known for its diverse and particularly accessible programme, The Carriageworks is actually run in connection with Leeds City Council whose mark on the theatre is visible through their take-part initiatives and ticket prices. Plenty of up-and-coming theatre companies make their way here and, if you can shuffle through the extensive children’s programme, there are several gems at The Carriageworks every season.
Student value? Given its link to the council, tickets are noticeably subsidised to appeal to all. Newcomers are obviously welcomed.
Best upcoming events? Owen Jones: The Politics of Hope (25th Feb) & Three Generations of Women (10th Mar)
Slung Low Theatre
Fresh on the fringe scene in Leeds, Slung Low aim to produce “unlikely, ambitious and original adventures for audiences”. The company-come-venue took over the impressive Holbeck Underground Ballroom (The HUB) recently and with them brought theatre’s great new idea: pay what you want tickets. This interesting technique of converting audience into critic epitomises Leeds’s innovative artistic ethic and suits Slung Low’s varied programme, which offers new writing, reworked classics and performance workshops.
Student value? The ideal student ticketing arrangement (although just paying 50p is slightly stingy).
Best upcoming events? Macbeth (21st Feb) & Alaska (6th Mar)
Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House
The Grand was opened in 1878 and in its acclaimed history has seen the likes of Julie Andrews, Sarah Bernhardt and even Laurence Olivier tread its boards. With this sort of heritage, it’s no wonder that the theatre continues to host some of the city’s biggest artistic events. Shows coming direct from the West End fuel The Grand’s reputation for appealing to masses (expect Blood Brothers, Guys and Dolls…) but its strong connection with the esteemed Opera North and Northern Ballet ensure there’s something for every student.
Student value? Massive touring shows fresh out of London are never cheap, but student discounted tickets are available for most shows.
Best upcoming events? Swan Lake (3rd-12th Mar) & Alan Bennett’s Single Spies (12th-16th Apr)
William Reece-Arnold
Featured image courtesy of Michael Taylor