Leeds Heritage Theatres joins National Theatre and British Library for landmark youth projects
Leeds Heritage Theatres has announced two major national partnerships with the National Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, and the British Library to give local students hands-on access to creative stagecraft and GCSE studies
Young people across Leeds are taking centre stage this autumn as Leeds Heritage Theatres launches two landmark partnerships with leading cultural institutions including the National Theatre, the Unicorn Theatre, and the British Library.
The national initiatives will see local school pupils directly shape a major new touring stage production, as well as take over the Leeds Grand Theatre stage for an immersive GCSE study day exploring Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Starting this month, Year 7 pupils from Mount St Mary’s Catholic High School in Leeds are taking part in a four-week creative residency helping to develop The Last Wild, based on the best-selling children's novel by Piers Torday.
Adapted by Jude Christian and directed by Rachel Bagshaw, the show marks the Unicorn Theatre’s first co-production with the National Theatre, with Leeds Heritage Theatres one of only 12 regional venues chosen for National Theatre Nationwide, a initiative guaranteeing equal access to theatre for young audiences outside London.
Over the next month, the Leeds students will explore the book’s central themes of environmentalism, authority, and growing up. Their ideas and creative feedback will directly inform the final production before it opens at London’s Unicorn Theatre in January 2027 and arrives at the City Varieties Music Hall on April 2 and 3 2027.
Ross Wylie, Creative Hub Producer at the Unicorn Theatre, said: "Our Creative Hub team will work with each venue's participation team to gather young people's creative responses to the key themes in The Last Wild.
“Their thoughts and questions will be shared with the creative team to make sure the production is child-centred as we bring Piers Torday's brilliant book to the stage.”
A Christmas Carol GCSE Takeover at Leeds Grand Theatre
On December 3, Leeds Heritage Theatres will team up with the British Library to host 100 Year 11 students from across the city for a full-day GCSE English Literature takeover at Leeds Grand Theatre.
Designed to support students aiming to secure their pass grades ahead of summer examinations, the day features four specialized workshops.
Pupils will explore historical archives of Victorian Leeds, create stage designs with props and costumes, conduct drama workshops directly on The Grand’s stage, and analyse Dickensian language alongside Leeds Heritage Theatres' Artist in Residence, Testament.
The study day lands right before Mischief’s A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong takes over the main stage the following week, giving students the chance to see a contrasting comedic interpretation of the classic text.
Pavla Beier, Schools Programme Manager at the British Library, said: “The event gives students the opportunity to delve deeper into the text and to spark an interest in the world of books and theatre, while supporting them in their English Literature GCSE.”
Rachel Lythe, Head of Learning & Engagement at Leeds Heritage Theatres, added: “What’s particularly exciting about these projects is that young people aren’t simply being asked to watch or learn about a piece of work. They’re being given the freedom to explore it, question it, and respond creatively in their own way.
“Joining those experiences together, from making and experimenting to seeing professional work on stage, is incredibly powerful.”
School and public performances for The Last Wild at City Varieties Music Hall run on April 3 and 4, with tickets and group booking information available directly through the Leeds Heritage Theatres website.