Lifelong learners
Creative activities for all to enjoy both inside and outside our buildings, including talks, Hiding in Plain Sight – the Lost Cinemas of Leeds and our Memory Bank project.
Leeds Heritage Theatres’ Archive
With over 400 years of history, our three performance venues have a wealth of archive materials, including programmes detailing how our cellars were used as air raid shelters during both world wars, and manager’s books providing insights into the films that were screened and the early acts that took to our stages. Delve into our collections held at the West Yorkshire Archives Service to have a look for yourself.
Hiding In Plain Sight
Learn about our city’s cinema heritage; from small neighbourhood picture houses like our own, to the gigantic super-cinemas of the 1920s.
With over 80 cinemas once existing in Leeds, and now only a handful remaining, our Hiding in Plain Sight interactive mapping tool aims to collect people’s memories of these cinemas and consider the reasons why Hyde Park Picture House is one of the lucky survivors.
Screen caps from Shoppers Paradise and Children's Day. Credit: Yorkshire Film Archive.
Memory Bank Leeds
Memory Bank Leeds is a DVD-based resource created especially for carers and people living with dementia.
Using a rich collection of archive film footage from the Yorkshire Film Archive, they are perfect for delivering film-based reminiscence activity inside retirement homes and community centres.
Email info@hpph.co.uk for more information.
Talks and Tours
Hyde Park Picture House hosts many special events year-round which are linked to our film programme and active heritage projects, including talks from industry professionals and behind the scenes tours.
Resident companies may also offer supplementary activities like Over 55s events or family activities.
External shot of Hyde Park Picture House. Credit: Aaron Cawood.
Leeds Heritage Theatres Learning and Engagement Fund
Every year, we work with over 10,000 young people across the city, in schools, youth groups and other sessions to help them build skills, confidence and pride through our creative learning and engagement programme. All donations to this fund will help us to continue our work and reach more people across the Leeds City Region.