West Yorkshire Playhouse reveals new name

West Yorkshire Playhouse, which is set to undergo a multi-million pound redevelopment, has announced it will change its name to Leeds Playhouse.

The Playhouse’s renaming comes as it embarks on a transformative capital redevelopment project to create a new city-facing entrance; improved access into and around the building and the opening of the Bramall Rock Void, a new third performance space within the foundations of the theatre.

Leeds Playhouse artistic director James Brining said:  “We remain as committed as we have always been to the audiences and communities who use this theatre. We love West Yorkshire, and for those familiar with the organisation we’re the same theatre in the same location we have been since moving to Quarry Hill in 1990. Changing our name to Leeds Playhouse is a progressive step forward for the organisation, reflecting and acknowledging our rich and fruitful history.

“Nationally, the name change locates us geographically in Leeds, a contemporary, dynamic and ambitious city striving for excellence and putting culture at the heart of its future growth. We pride ourselves on our pioneering creative engagement work, our Furnace activity of artistic development and a programme which produces world-class theatre of all scales, putting Leeds and Yorkshire on the map. We can’t wait to welcome audiences old and new to the Pop-Up theatre on the existing Playhouse site which we’re creating whilst our main spaces are undergoing refurbishment, as well as back into the main building once it’s ready to receive them.”

The executive board of Leeds City Council will meet next week to approve the £15.8m development project. Of that £15.8m, just under £800,000 is still needed.

To date the project has secured significant financial support from Arts Council England and Leeds City Council alongside major donations from The Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation, Principal Capital Partners, Irwin Mitchell, SOYO Leeds and Moda as well as the Garfield Weston and Foyle Foundations, in addition to a contribution from the playhouse’s own resources.

A public fundraising campaign has been launched today to help achieve the final 7% of the target.

The Playhouse’s history began in 1964, when a group of people campaigned for Leeds to have its own producing theatre.

 

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