Stage@leeds opens its doors this month (February)

The official opening of the University of Leeds’ new arts centre, stage@leeds, will include shows by students and acclaimed professional theatre groups as well as lectures and workshops.

The ‘stage@leeds Unmasked’ festival runs from 29 February to 15 March and a number of priced and free events will be open to the public as well as University staff and students.

Stage@leeds is the latest addition to the university’s rich collection of cultural and artistic assets which includes its art collection, the Clothworkers’ Centenary Concert Hall and the University of Leeds International Textiles Archive (ULITA).

The university’s refurbished public art gallery opens next month, the Refectory is an ever-popular venue for bands ranging from The Who to The Cribs and a ground-breaking partnership with Opera North is attracting plaudits.

The festival marks the official opening of stage@leeds, which is expected to become a key part of Leeds’ cultural and creative life as a venue for touring theatre and dance groups as well as student performances.

Festival highlights include Red Shift theatre company’s production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, a performance by acclaimed Japanese theatre group Seinendan, and a dazzling show by contemporary dance group, Vincent Dance.

The festival also includes performances of ‘The Eagle has Landed’ from Fool’s Proof Theatre Company and ‘Gin and Tonic and Passing Trains’ from Spike Theatre. There is also a day of workshops and performance from South East Asian Arts.

High-profile speakers include Leeds University graduate Mark Byford, the deputy director general of the BBC, Diederick Santer (executive producer of Eastenders) and Jane Featherstone (from BBC’s Spooks and Hustle).

Professor Michael Arthur, Vice Chancellor of the University of Leeds, said:
“The University of Leeds continues to make a valuable contribution to the city’s rich cultural life. The opening of stage@leeds cements our position as a cornerstone of the city’s cultural and artistic heritage.”

The stage@leeds theatre building is also a new home for the School of Performance and Cultural Industries. PCI runs BA programmes in Theatre and Performance, Dance, Managing Performance and Performance Design and MA programmes in Culture, Creativity & Entrepreneurship; Performance Studies and Writing for Performance and Publication.

Susan Daniels, Head of PCI, said the festival will give “a flavour of what the stage@leeds complex has to offer and demonstrate how it can contribute to the cultural and creative life on campus and the city of Leeds”.

PCI students will be performing at the festival along with members of Leeds University Union, with shows by the Stage Musical Society, Theatre Group, A-Capella singers, Music Theatre and Music Society.

Source: By University Of Leeds