Leeds is packing its calendar this month with blockbuster theatre productions, live music, comedy, exhibitions, heritage days and much more.
September Spotlight: August Wilson’s Fences
11-26 September, Leeds Playhouse Courtyard
In our spotlight this month is August Wilson’s play Fences. Directed by Daniel Bailey, (Red Pitch, The High Table) this major revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning classic is a high-profile co-production between Leeds Playhouse, Headlong, the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and HOME Manchester.
This searing family drama stars stage and screen veteran Ray Fearon (Othello at the RSC, Fleabag, Coronation Street) as Troy Maxson, a former star baseball player whose athletic prime was blocked by racial barriers. The production dives deep into 1950s Pittsburgh family dynamics and generational conflict as Troy clashes with his wife, Rose (Madeline Appiah), and his son, Cory.
Before heading out on a national tour, the Leeds Playhouse Courtyard Theatre will host the first UK revival of the American masterpiece in almost a decade.
Not one to miss!
Theatre Events:
Operation Mincemeat (7-12 September, Leeds Grand Theatre): The multi-award winning, smash-hit West End musical lands in Leeds, telling the bizarre true story of how British intelligence used a stolen corpse to trick Hitler in WWII.
Leeds Grand Theatre Comedy Season: A massive month of stand-up stars are on the autumn lineup, featuring Phil Wang (Uh-oh, 13 September), Sam Campbell (Kid Giblet, 23 September), Maisie Adam (Whatsherface, 24 September) and Taskmaster favourite Mike Wozniak (The Bench, 26 September)
Leeds Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows (Running all month from 1 September starting at Victoria Square): An interactive walking puzzle experience, turning the city streets into an open-air detective game!
Music Events:
The Jazz Room: Frank Sinatra & Louis Armstrong Tribute (18 September – 6 November, Belgrave Music Hall): An immersive evening transporting audiences straight back to the golden age of jazz crooners and trumpet giants.
Holy Holy featuring Woody Woodmansey, Tony Visconti & Glenn Gregory (4 September, O2 Academy): A stellar-cast supergroup celebrating the music of David Bowie with original Spiders from Mars members.
Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy and Friends Play R.E.M.’s Life’s Rich Pageant (6 September, Brudenell Social Club): Hollywood actor Michael Shannon teams up with musician Jason Narducy for a passionate, track-by-track tribute to R.E.M.’s classic 1986 album.
Art Events:
East Street Arts Open Studios (12 – 13 September, Patrick Studios): A fantastic grassroots visual arts addition. Over 20 artist studios open their doors to the public for a weekend of contemporary painting, ceramics, sculpture, and printmaking workshops at Leeds Print Workshop.
Fly on the Wall – MA Fine Art Degree Show (3 – 8 September, University of Leeds): An expansive exhibition hosted by the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, showcasing emerging creative voices through boundary-pushing installation, painting, and film.
Zine-Making Workshop at HEART (19 September, Headingley Enterprise & Arts Centre): Tied tightly into the city’s heritage events, this hands-on workshop led by illustrator Blue invites younger creators to explore DIY self-publishing and Leeds’ rich history of zine culture inside a 140-year-old Victorian school hall.
Other events:
Heritage Open Days (11-20 September, city-wide): Delivered locally by Leeds Civic Trust, England’s largest festival of history opens up doors to hidden architectural gems and private historic spaces completely free of charge.
