We are lucky in Leeds to have three of the most historic theatrical and cinematic venues in the country, collectively called ‘Leeds Heritage Theatres’. They run as a charity with the overarching aim of not only providing first-class entertainment but also educational opportunities.
Leeds Heritage Theatres closed the doors of Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House on 16 March 2020. It was the first time in their 400-year history that any of the venues had shut for anything other than refurbishment.
Little did they know that it would be over a year before they would properly open again. They lost 98% of their income overnight. The first few months were a frenzy of contacting, moving and refunding tens of thousands of customers, speaking to producers and agencies to move shows to new dates and try to work out how to survive.
The government furlough scheme was a lifeline and the charity furloughed 96% of its staff, leaving only the management team and key box office and communications staff working. They applied for, and were awarded money from the Culture Recovery Fund in October – just a week before their reserves would have completely run out.
The January lockdown came as a second blow, but the March announcements gave a new hope and the theatres began to make plans to re-open …
City Varieties Music Hall opened its doors to customers on 17 May 2021 with a film programme from Hyde Park Picture House. Leeds Grand Theatre opened her doors on 17 June with Northern Ballet’s Swan Lake – a serendipitous coincidence – as it was Northern Ballet who were the last company to perform on the stage on 14 March 2020. Both venues are back into full swing, with live performances of musicals, drama, comedy and music from the end of June onwards and they can’t wait to welcome the people of Leeds back through the doors and get back to what they do best after one of the most challenging years in their history.
For further information and to book tickets visit www.leedsheritagetheatres.com
Feature photograph Leeds Grand Theatre auditorium. Photograph by Simon Hulme.