In Conversation With... Ben Fletcher
In honour of #WorldWideWebDay, we thought there was no better time to introduce our new Website and Communications Officer, Ben. Previously one of our Sales and Ticketing Assistants, Ben’s spent the past month changing the face of theatre one webpage at a time – so let’s find out what life is like in his role and beyond.
Written by Ben Fletcher
Describe a day in the life of a Website and Communications Officer.
“I read the news today, oh boy, about a lucky man who made the grade.”
My day-to-day involves building new shows on our website, followed by doing the same for our general and priority emails – it’s all about being prepared and looking ahead, gathering images, information and assets from our vast array of performances in good time.
My other responsibilities may include sharing Meet and Greet information to bookers or anything show-specific on a week-by-week, show-by-show basis, all whilst keeping the web up to date more generally with Box Office opening times, etc. We also share our shows on other sites like Leeds Inspired, Theatre Tokens and Theatres Online, so towards the end of the week I will update our new on-sales there, too.
More importantly, though, I will spend each morning preparing to eat whatever I had concocted for the week ahead, or in the rare case I am lunch-less, look forward to what I will be choosing from Kirkgate Market or our neighbours Alfonso’s.
Ben speaking at the East Midlands BFI Film Academy Screening
What three skills do you think are most important in your role?
Time management, attention to detail and the ability to keep calm under pressure. It requires a keen eye on schedules and good timing to keep on top of all the upcoming on sale dates and the new shows that our programming team are working their magic with. I am a big believer in keeping calm; every task is made smoother and more successful when approached with a cool, rational head.
You were previously on our Box Office team – how does that compare to working in Comms? Any similarities/differences that stand out?
It’s very different, and I feel much more involved with the influx of shows we have coming in! It is always a pleasant surprise to see all of the valuable work being done by various teams and individuals behind-the-scenes. I have to admit, though, I really miss getting to engage with our audiences on a regular basis – which is what made every day so different and exciting in Box Office across The Varieties and The Grand!
Ben at Broadway, Nottingham
What has been the highlight (to date) of your time at Leeds Heritage Theatres?
I would struggle to pin down a particular moment, but I always enjoy working around Panto season. Nothing gets you feeling as warm and festive as seeing everybody from children to grandparents in their best Christmas jumpers (bad puns included) gearing up for annual tradition or even checking out the Rock ’n’ Roll Panto for the first time – not to mention that our House Management and Front of House teams all do a great job decking the halls and getting the venue ready for the festive season.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about working in a similar role/industry?
Take up volunteering opportunities and immerse yourself in the industry, not only to build up invaluable experience (as no experience is better than just getting the chance to try your hand at something) but more importantly to broaden your tastes and participate in the arts. There are so many great events, exhibitions and organisations in Leeds and the north. Challenge yourself with experiences that take you outside of your comfort zone, whatever that may be.
Ben’s favourite things
Favourite venue – The Grand, The Varieties, Hyde Park? Why?
As much as I love all our venues and the unique output they each have to offer, I am a massive cinephile (i.e. a Letterboxd nerd) so therefore have to say Hyde Park Picture House. I have had the luxury of watching many wonderful films (often from row B of the balcony, my fave spot), including Wim Wenders’ Perfect Days which made for an unforgettable cinematic experience that was one of my best of the year. I should also mention that I have spent some of my best evenings attending comedy shows at The Varieties.
Favourite story about venue?
I remember reading that there was a baby born during a performance at The Varieties back in its early years – a fact which I find equal parts heartwarming and a little traumatic. Different times…
Favourite show/act/film you have seen at our venues?
I loved watching Tom Davis: Underdog, on his last visit to Leeds. As a big fan of all things Davis (from his cutting edge improv TV show Murder in Successville to an iconic role in the great Paddington 2) it was a joy to see him perform a fantastic set with a healthy dose of stories and crowd-work. The night was only improved when I bumped into him on my way out of the show, where we had a nice little chat – although he did say I was the doppelganger of Josh Widdicombe (who is also coming to The Grand) which I had mixed feelings about! Tom Davis: Spudgun is coming in May 2026, this time to The Grand, and I will be sure to be in attendance. “My guy!“
Danger: Ben at work
Favourite thing to do on your day off?
I am a frequent gig-goer, so I will tend to spend a Friday or Saturday evening at one of the great venues around Leeds – or further afield – followed by a Sunday morning coffee and sarnie at Bottle Chop to rejuvenate me. Love The Brudenell for great pints and great artists of all calibre and genre – and let’s not forget the pool tables. I have had many memorable nights at the Brude, from Yard Act’s residency (supported by Harry Hill?!) to Gang of Four’s recent farewell show.
What would you be doing if not in your current role?
Outside of this role, I am also a filmmaker – specifically a producer working on short films in the Midlands and the North, both independently and as part of a DIY collective. Naturally, I would love to produce films and share work that I find exciting, challenging and overall enriching, whilst being inventive and creative in all aspects of form and production. Like many people here at Leeds Heritage Theatres, I have a genuine belief in the power of the arts (film in particular) and its potential to evoke feelings, ideas and themes that resonate beyond all else.
Ben at Short Stack in Nottingham
Ben in his happy place (Bottle Chop)
Ben meeting his idol (Tom Davis)
World Wide Web
What’s your most used website and why?
Not to be a parody of myself but it would have to be Letterboxd or Spotify. Letterboxd I use daily to log films, read friends’ reviews or recommendations and add to my ever-expanding watchlist. Spotify is a constant. I always have music playing and try to listen to at least one new album from front to back every week – it’s how I’ve discovered some of my favourite records this year, like Gurriers’ Come and See or revisiting classics like Pink Flag by Wire.
What do you think is the weirdest thing you’ve ever Googled?
What a question… It would most likely be something animal-related (to do with monkeys or some other arcane fact), or more practically checking if I can eat around the mould on my bread. At a glance, I do tend to Google some strange film titles when building my watchlists or trying to track down a niche one. Any Harmony Korine fans will know what I mean.
If you could give one thing you love a spotlight on the home page of Google for a day, what would it be?
A figure like Jim Jarmusch is fascinating to me – one of my favourite directors amongst the likes of Spike Lee and Agnès Varda. I feel that Jarmusch as a person and his body of work reflect the eclectic intersection of all my interests, from music to movies. How many people have projects with The Wu Tang Clan, Iggy Pop and Steve Coogan, Partridge himself, all wrapped up in one?
