Comedy on the bill as Leeds Carriageworks Theatre reopens

The theatre inside the Electric Press on Millennium Square will reopen on Friday, October 16, with a show pulled together by resident comedy gurus The Shoe Cake Comedy Club.

Hosted by actor and improv legend Chris Lumb, the evening promises to feature some of the finest and funniest acts on the UK comedy circuit today.

The event will be headlined by the Irish former circus performer turned comedian Martin Mor who has grown to become one of the UK’s most popular and in-demand comedians, performing shows all around the world.

He will be joined by Hilarity Bites New Act winner Sian Davies and Bury Met Comedian of The Year Matt Bragg.

Measures to ensure the safety and comfort of the audience at Carriageworks Theatre will include the recording of contact details for NHS Test and Trace; a reduced venue capacity,

with socially distanced seating arrangements and toilet facilities; a one-way system; and hand sanitising stations on entry and around the venue. Anyone attending will be expected

to wear a face covering, unless excused for reasons of age, health or disability.

Matthew Sims, Leeds City Council’s Head of Arts, Events and Venues said: “We’re delighted to mark another milestone in bringing live performances back for our audiences to enjoy, in

a safe and Covid secure environment, by welcoming the brilliant Shoecake Comedy Club back to the Carriageworks for the first live show in the venue since lockdown.”

Phil Smith, The Shoe Cake Comedy Club promoter said: "We are delighted to be bringing live comedy back to The Carriageworks Theatre after so many months of postponement. It’s not only fantastic news for us as an independent comedy club but also for the venue and the industry as a whole.

"The uncertainty and hold put on performance has had such a detrimental effect on every single stand-up comedian and entertainer and it’s great that we can finally start offering work to some of these artists once again at this beautiful venue."

Mr Smith added: "Even though this is a bit of a pilot show I'm very confident the measures put in place by the theatre team will keep the staff, the audience and the acts safe and comfortable to really enjoy the show."

Tickets for the event are on sale now priced at £11 (including booking fee). Leeds City Centre Box Office will not be open in the lead up to the pilot event or on the night of the event, and therefore tickets must be booked via the Carriageworks website: carriageworkstheatre.co.uk or from the box office on (0113) 376 0318.

The Box Office team will also be happy to answer any questions about access and safety measures.

Customers who do not have access to e-ticket facilities via their phones will be advised at point of booking at which entrance to arrive. They will be greeted by a member of staff who

will register their details to facilitate NHS Test and Trace.

Doors for the event on Friday, October 16, will open from 6.30pm with the show starting at 7pm. The event will last approximately seventy-five minutes, with no interval, and as part of

the safety measures there will be no bars or refreshment stations open in the Carriageworks Theatre.

********************

A message from the Editor:

Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds.

Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

Thank you

Laura Collins