The Riley Theatre

Alice Hiley

Visit now

The Riley Theatre

98 Chapeltown Road, Chapeltown, Leeds, LS7 4BH
01132193018
  • Monday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Tuesday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Wednesday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Thursday9:00am - 4:00pm
  • Friday9:00am - 4:00pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

The Riley Theatre
Black Box Dance Company by the Riley Theatre.
Book now

The Riley Theatre at the Northern School for Contemporary Dance is Yorkshire’s largest dedicated dance house, hosting a year-round programme of dance and theatre events and performances.

The theatre offers audiences a unique space to see ground-breaking performances by professional visiting companies, emerging local artists as well as NSCD student showcases and community platforms. Guest companies and choreographers who have previously brought their work to the Riley Theatre stage include Candoco Dance Company, James Cousins Dance Company, Uchenna Dance and Black Box.

NSCD’s student performances have always packed the school’s Riley Theatre, delighting audiences and critics alike. The distinctive performance abilities of dancers trained at the school are developed through an intensive performance programme which involves the creation of new work on students by visiting professional choreographers, and regular opportunities for students to create and perform their own work.

The school also has its own postgraduate contemporary dance company, VERVE, which performs at the Riley Theatre and across the UK and Europe.

Situated in Chapeltown, Leeds, the Riley Theatre building was initially a working synagogue before being renovated by NSCD founding Principal Nadine Senior MBE in the 90s. The theatre is now Grade II listed and retains many of its original features, including a vaulted ceiling, carved pews and candelabra.

There’s a bar on-site serving a selection of snacks and drinks for both before the performance and during the interval. The venue is fully accessible, with seats dedicated for wheelchair users and discounts available for accompanying guests and carers.

The venue receives thousands of visitors every year. The Riley Theatre’s innovative programme aims to reflect the breadth of work made today, feeding into Leeds’ growing reputation as an international centre for dance. From professional touring companies to the choreographers and artists of the future, be prepared for incredible dance on your doorstep.

What's on near The Riley Theatre

LiteratureLeeds
Chemistry at The Chemic

Leeds live literature regular Chemistry offers an exciting mix of open mic acts and invited poets – this month the headliners include Rosie Garland.

Free entry
Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

Where to go near The Riley Theatre

Leeds
Restaurant
Canned Heat

Canned Heat is an independent bottle-shop & bar in the heart of Chapeltown, Leeds. Born out of a passion for Music, Art and Community.

Leeds
Brewery
Springwell

The home of North, with a beautiful taproom over looking the brew house, on Buslingthorpe Lane. Every weekend we open the doors to our brewery and pour incredibly fresh beer next to the tanks where it was brewed!

Leeds
Museum
Thackray Museum of Medicine

Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds displays objects selected from the collection of 47,000 items of historical medical equipment that it holds.

Potternerton Park
Leeds
Park
Potternewton Park

Potternewton Park is a popular park in the heart of Chapeltown, just 2 miles north east of Leeds city centre.

Leeds
Bar or Pub
The Chemic Tavern

Historic real ale pub situated in the heart of the Woodhouse residential area, just over a mile north of Leeds City Centre.

South Asian Arts
Leeds
Event venue
South Asian Arts

South Asian Arts (SAA-UK), since its conception in June 1997 has long been recognised as the centre of excellence in Indian classical music and dance.

Leeds
Music venue
First Direct Arena

The First Direct Arena is a 13,781 capacity entertainment-focused arena located in the Arena Quarter of Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Leeds
Restaurant
Blue Pavilion & K-Cube

Oriental dining, live music and private karaoke, the upmarket Chinese restaurant Blue Pavilion is bringing the party to Leeds.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.