Leeds Playhouse pop-up theatre opens its doors with first production

The Leeds Playhouse pop-up theatre has now opened its doors, with Jim Cartwright's 1986 seminal play Road the first production to be performed in the space.

Directed by Leeds Playhouse associate director Amy Leach, the play presents a powerful observation of the everyday lives of the working classes, with humour, determination and passion.

The pop-up theatre season

The production is the very first to be performed in the Playhouse's newly opened pop-up theatre, featuring 350 seats and housing a year-long programme of work.

The temporary space will be used to host the 2018/19 packed season of drama productions while the main building undergoes major refurbishment.

The pop-up season also includes Airplays, a celebration of the 70th anniversary of the landing of the SS Empire Windrush, Partition, written by BBC Radio Leeds presenter Nick Ahad, Charles Dickens' Victorian classic A Christmas Carol, and William Shakespeare's Hamlet, among its line-up of entertainment.

The season will close with Amanda Whittington's Be My Baby, which explores shame, teenage pregnancy and female friendship in the 1960s.

The main theatre is due to re-open in Autumn 2019 (Photo: Simon Hulme)

An exciting new chapter

Leeds Playhouse (formerly known as the West Yorkshire Playhouse) is currently undergoing a major Capital Redevelopment project which will see the building completely transformed.

Led by Leeds City Council, the multi-million pound redevelopment will bring with it a new city-facing entrance, improved access and the addition of a new studio theatre space, called the Bramall Rock Void.

The Playhouse's first pop-up production, Road, will run until Saturday 29 September, kicking off what is set to be a thrilling season of theatre.

The main theatre is due to re-open in Autumn 2019, unveiling its new look and layout.