National Theatre Live at City Varieties
Since welcoming its first National Theatre Live screenings in 2018, City Varieties Music Hall has continued to bring the best of the National Theatre right to the heart of Leeds.
Written by Ellen Carnazza
As one of the 700 venues broadcasting National Theatre Live productions, City Varieties Music Hall has screened the best of British theatre, from serious drama to romcoms and award-winning hits, filmed live from Britain’s most exciting stages.
Whether you’re watching Kit Harington go to battle in Henry V, or Phoebe Waller-Bridge delivering her solo tour de force in Fleabag, you’ll be at the heart of the action.
“Live Streaming via satellite enables the Leeds audience to watch live theatre in London, Stratford upon Avon and, indeed, around the world from the comfort of City Varieties Music Hall,” says Nev Jopson, Marketing Manager at Leeds Heritage Theatres.
“It’s such a natural fit for us as we are already set up to cater for a theatre audience; offering a bar and refreshment service both pre-show and during interval plus our teams are used to creating the perfect ambience for live performance.”
The state of the art cinema-standard equipment not only enables The Varieties to host the Live Streaming events but also Encore Screenings – a recording of the live event – as well as art and museum exhibitions.
“It is the perfect venue to enjoy world class live theatre, concerts and other events; cutting-edge technology bringing you world-class entertainment to enjoy in a stunningly beautiful, Grade II* heritage venue – what’s not to like?” Nev concludes.
Take a look at what’s to come.
What’s On
Much Ado About Nothing
Thursday 8 September 2022
Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.
The legendary family-run hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.
A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.
Jack Absolute Flies Again
Sunday 23 October 2022
A rollicking new comedy by Richard Bean (One Man, Two Guvnors) and Oliver Chris (Twelfth Night), based on Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals.
After an aerial dog fight, Pilot Officer Jack Absolute flies home to win the heart of his old flame, Lydia Languish. Back on British soil, Jack’s advances soon turn to anarchy when the young heiress demands to be loved on her own, very particular, terms.
Emily Burns directs this spectacularly entertaining new version of Sheridan’s The Rivals. Featuring a cast including Caroline Quentin, Laurie Davidson, Natalie Simpson and Kelvin Fletcher.
The Seagull
Thursday 19 January 2023
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.
A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.
The Crucible
Thursday 26 January 2023
A witch hunt is beginning in Arthur Miller’s captivating parable of power with Erin Doherty (The Crown) and Brendan Cowell (Yerma).
Raised to be seen but not heard, a group of young women in Salem suddenly find their words have an almighty power. As a climate of fear, vendetta and accusation spreads through the community, no one is safe from trial.
Lyndsey Turner (Hamlet) directs this contemporary new staging, designed by Tony Award-winner Es Devlin (The Lehman Trilogy).
Othello
Thursday 2 March 2023
An extraordinary new production of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedy, directed by Clint Dyer with a cast that includes Giles Terera (Hamilton), Rosy McEwan (The Alienist) and Paul Hilton (The Inheritance).
She’s a bright, headstrong daughter of a senator; elevated by her status but stifled by its expectations. He’s refugee of slavery; having risen to the top of a white world, he finds love across racial lines has a cost.
Wed in secret, Desdemona and Othello crave a new life together. But as unseen forces conspire against them, they find their future is not theirs to decide.
