Carriageworks Theatre

Carriageworks Theatre is located on Millennium Square in the prestigious Electric Press building. A legendary Leeds venue, it had many rock stars grace its stage during the seventies. Today, it’s home to two theatres and six rehearsal spaces, in a complex built for local and regional artists and companies. It is also the proud home of the Leeds Civic Arts Guild, made up of several long-standing local amateur dramatics and arts societies including Leeds Children’s Theatre, Leeds Gilbert and Sullivan Society and Leeds Writers Circle.

Home to a flurry of exciting performances throughout the year culminating with its famous Christmas pantomimes, Carriageworks Theatre has two performance spaces: the biggest of which is the main auditorium, seating up to 300 for a variety of different musicals and electrifying stage shows. Then there is the studio space with room for 55. which plays host to auditions, theatre classes, and smaller, more experimental performances.

With a varied programme suitable for all ages, it’s just as good for families as it is for a date night – depending what you go to see, of course. Expect to find everything from The Hungry Caterpillar to Sister Act and The Great British Bake off Musical, showing here, with plenty of family-friendly programming on the theatre’s schedule. What’s more, it also has a resident youth arm, Carriageworks Young Theatre Makers, which is made up of 11-19-year-olds who create and perform six original shows each year.

Carriageworks Theatre also plays host to film screenings, dance shows, live music events, and more. The venue has hosted numerous big names in Leeds over the decades, including iconic musicians like The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Queen, and Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin during the 70s. In more recent years, it has welcomed everyone from Jools Holland and Lily Allen to Jarvis Cocker, Björk, Martha Wainwright, and Imogen Heap to grace its stage, as well as pantomime stars Jez and Gemma Edwards.

Over the Christmas holidays, Carriageworks Theatre offers six weeks of high-quality traditional pantomime, with all the cheery “he’s behind yous” and “no he isn’ts” you could hope for. Perfectly positioned overlooking the famed Leeds Christmas Market, Carriageworks is the ideal festive outing for the whole family with food, drink, and entertainment all on its doorstep.