Lawrence Batley Theatre

Johnny James, Managing Editor

Visit now

Lawrence Batley Theatre

Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP
01484 430528
Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Image courtesy of Lawrence Batley Theatre.
Book now

Located in the centre of Huddersfield, the Lawrence Batley Theatre presents a wide-ranging year-round programme of in-house and visiting productions, from drama and contemporary dance to circus and pantomime. The theatre delivers a varied programme for and with its local community, and offers a range of ways for families and young people to get involved.

Starting life as a Methodist chapel in 1819 before falling to disuse, the Lawrence Batley Theatre was given new life by Kirklees Theatre Trust in 1994, when its ribbon was cut by Sir Patrick Stewart and Dame Judi Dench. Since then, the impressive building has served as a central hub for music, drama and art in Huddersfield, where it celebrates and challenges the creativity and interests of the local community.

The Lawrence Batley Theatre’s impressive 450-capacity auditorium houses cutting-edge performance across a multitude of genres, including plays, musicals, opera, circus, contemporary dance and in-house pantomimes. The 100-capacity basement, meanwhile, plays host to the Comedy Cellar, where comedy greats have been taking to the mic once a month ever since the theatre was born.

One of the theatre’s priorities is nurturing talent. Its Young Company encourages young people to get involved in theatre through weekly classes, theatre trips and special events. Its Storytellers project, meanwhile, commissions theatre-makers to devise electric new works tailored to its own spaces.

The theatre is also home to innovative theatre-makers such as Dark Horse Theatre, a national touring ensemble of actors with learning disabilities. Always engaging the local community, irrespective of background or circumstances, the theatre also provides a performing home for many amateur theatre groups, such as Huddersfield Thespians and Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company.

What's on near Lawrence Batley Theatre

Where to go near Lawrence Batley Theatre

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.