Members of Asmarina Voices, Leeds Playhouse’s free informal singing group for women who are refugees or seeking asylum, have helped design a specially decorated floral piano in Leeds Bus Station as part of Leeds Piano Trail – and were given the honour of being the first to sing around it.
The piano will now stay at the bus station for people to play as they go about their day – including members of the singing group as they head to their weekly sessions at Leeds Playhouse, which already has its own Piano Trail piano designed by members of its Heydays group, the largest and longest-running arts programme for older people in UK theatre.
Asmarina member Cordel: “Our voices rose gently with the piano’s melody, blending like clouds on a canvas, soft, powerful, and full of harmony. It left a feeling of warmth, belonging, and quiet joy; a reminder that when we come together, we create something truly beautiful.“
Mural artist Amy Nield, founder of Esk Haus mural art and furniture upcycling studio, based her piano design on flower paintings by the Asmarina members.
“Working with the Asmarina Voices on this piano design has been such a wonderful journey; from seeing them choose shapes and colours to represent themselves as a flower, to watching them perform by the finished piano,” she said. “It all came together as a wildflower meadow, and I hope people enjoy the vibrance of the design alongside the sound of the keys in its new home.”
Asmarina member Anne Collins created a hibiscus flower for the piano. She said: “I love art and created a red hibiscus flower with paper on a piece of wood. I have memories connected to hibiscus flowers and was surprised when I saw my flower on the piano. I thoroughly enjoyed singing around the colourful piano in the bus station.”
Asmarina Voices Musical Director Sophie Jennings, who leads their weekly singing sessions at Leeds Playhouse, said the whole process had imbued members with joy and an immense sense of achievement.
“The piano is beautiful and it feels wonderful to have contributed to something that the community of Leeds can use at a location that our ladies use a lot,” she said. “Most of the songs in our performance were written by the group and it was fantastic to see the public enjoying them and the positive energy the Asmarina Voices give every time they perform.”
Leeds Piano Trail, which runs alongside the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition, aims to turn the city streets into open stages, inviting anyone – of any age or ability – to sit down and play.
From hidden corners to bustling squares, the specially decorated pianos spark joy, creativity and connection across the City. Monthly Days of Play bring the trails to life with open mics, workshops and performances that celebrate community and everyday talent, making music more inclusive, visible and rooted in public life.
Sally Egan, Head of Creative Learning & Engagement at Leeds International Piano Competition, said: “We always love collaborating with Asmarina Voices and their wonderful musical director Sophie Jennings. They have performed many times on the Piano Trail, and as part of our celebrations for World Piano Day. Asmarina Voices embody the spirit of Leeds Piano Trail – music is for everyone and a common language that unites us all. It was a pleasure to invite them to create a new design for the bus station piano in collaboration with Leeds-based artist Amy Nield, and the work they have made together is absolutely beautiful.”
Asmarina Voices is a key part of Leeds Playhouse’s renowned Theatre of Sanctuary programme, which also includes Playing Me, a free supervised creative play session for preschool children that gives their mums a chance to sing while they read books, sing songs and play together.
The Playhouse became the world’s first Theatre of Sanctuary in 2014, offering a place of safety, hospitality and support for refugees and people seeking asylum. As well as Asmarina Voices and Playing Me, it also runs Conversation Cafe, which gives people a chance to practice their English over a cuppa, and Together We Create, a free weekly session offering a wide range of creative activities from visual arts to theatre.
Photography by Charlie Swinbourne. Main image: Amy Nield with the Asmarina piano.
Editor’s notes
LEEDS PLAYHOUSE has been one of the UK’s leading producing theatres for 55 years. It is an award-winning theatre and a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and engage in world class theatre. It makes work which is pioneering and relevant, seeking out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire.
2025 was a fantastic year for Leeds Playhouse, with its productions and performers receiving national recognition in the UK’s most prestigious theatre awards. Its co-production of Animal Farm won Best Play Revival at the UK Theatre Awards and was nominated as Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre at the Olivier Awards; at the WhatsOnStage Awards, Through It All Together was nominated for Best Regional Production and Best New Play; its co-production of Sisters 360 was nominated for Best Stage Production at the Asian Media Awards; Cash Holland won Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play for A Raisin in the Sun at the Black British Theatre Awards; and Shobna Gulati was nominated for Through It All Together at the Asian Media Awards.
In previous years, the Playhouse’s warm welcome was recognised at the UK Theatre Awards in 2022, when it was named Most Welcoming Theatre, highlighting its daily endeavours to make the building an inviting, engaging, creative, accessible and inclusive hub at the heart of the Leeds City Region. For three consecutive years, leading performers in Playhouse productions were named Best Performer in a Musical at the UK Theatre Awards and, in 2024, its production of Oliver! was named Best Musical.
Alongside the work on its stages, the Playhouse works creatively with the people, artists and communities of Leeds through its innovative, sector-leading Playhouse Connect programme. Focussing on two key areas – Learning & Skills and Creative Communities – Playhouse Connect engages with thousands of people in the region each year. As part of this work, its Artistic Development programme, Furnace, engages with theatre-makers, providing a creative space to refine their practice at all stages of their careers; it builds, develops and sustains projects to connect with refugee communities, young people and students, older people and people with learning disabilities; it hands over spaces to communities to use in ways they choose, from breakdancing to roller-skating, craft markets to tea parties, enlivening the building whilst fostering deeper relationships; and works in-residence around the city, connecting with people on their doorsteps.
As a registered charity, Leeds Playhouse relies on the support of valued partners to make great things happen. It is grateful for the continued support of Arts Council England, Leeds City Council, The Liz and Terry Bramall Foundation and the many charitable trusts, business partners and individuals that continue to support the vital work of the theatre.
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