Carriageworks Showcase Theatre’s Finest

The Carriageworks has launched its Spring season and is proving itself to be the venue of choice for innovative new theatre in Leeds. With some of the country’s most acclaimed touring productions, Yorkshire audiences have the opportunity to see firsthand what is exalting the national and international arts scene.

Just one of the big name shows to come to the Carriageworks this season, A Dish of Tea with Dr Johnson (Wed 30 March) stars Ian Redford, best known for his role as Keith Appleyard in Coronation Street and appearances at the National Theatre, Old Vic and Shakespeare’s Globe. The play is a charming evening of conversation, bringing to life one of the most colourful figures of the Eighteenth Century.

Indigo Entertainment’s My Darling Clemmie (Wed 13 Apr) is the moving story of the woman who married one of the greatest figures of the twentieth century, Sir Winston Churchill, and is written by Hugh Whitehouse, winner of an Emmy and a broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Television Drama for The Gathering Storm.

The Carriageworks is also bolstering local talent. Bradford-based Mind the Gap will be touring Mike Kenny’s acclaimed adaptation of John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men (Tues 29 Mar), winner of the Barclays/TMA Stage Award for Outstanding Achievement in Regional Theatre.

Award winning Leeds based The Paper Birds (Wed 2 & Thur 3 March) bring a gripping tale of correspondence between three very different characters, following their 2010 sell-out success with In A Thousand Pieces.

Keepers (Tues 8 Mar), from University of Leeds graduates The Plasticine Men won a Three Weeks Editor’s Award and was nominated for a Total Theatre Award and Stage Award for Best Ensemble. Based on a true story, the show is a lyrical piece of physical storytelling set around the Smalls Lighthouse and the stormy companionship of its two keepers.

As ever, there’s plenty on offer for family audiences. Ready Steady Science will be presenting Dr Death and the Medi-Evil Medicine Show (Wed 2 & Thur 3 Feb) in a new scientifically and historically accurate pantomime performed by Channel 4’s Simon Watt. Throughout half term Blunderbus Theatre’s version of hit kids’ book Elmer the Elephant and Horse & Bamboo Theatre Co. with Storm in a Teacup (Tues 22 Feb), is followed by a free puppet workshop.

The season is rounded off by one of The Carriageworks’ strongest-ever comedy line-ups, with top name stars including Miles Jupp (Thur 3 Feb), Russell Kane (Sat 26 Feb), Tim Key (Tues 1 Mar) and Jenny Éclair (Sat 5 Mar).

Martin McInulty, General Manager at The Carriageworks, said, “I’m incredibly excited about the diverse season we’ve managed to put together this spring. It’s particularly great to see so much Yorkshire-based talent coming to the fore. Leeds is growing as a destination for great theatre and we’re proud to be at the heart of the action.”

For more information visit www.carriageworkstheatre.org.uk