Leeds Playhouse has announced its Spring/Summer 2026 Season – a bold programme of progressive, inclusive productions offering hope and connection. Highlights include three home-grown shows: Small Island, Planet Omar, and Brassed Off, alongside acclaimed visiting work such as James Graham's West End hit Punch, Ballet Black's 25th anniversary celebration, and Dash Arts' Our Public House. Returning favourites I, Daniel Blake and The Beekeeper of Aleppo join a dynamic mix of new voices and familiar collaborators, setting the stage for an exhilarating year and paving the way for new Artistic Director Tom Wright's inaugural season, which will be announced in spring 2026.

Chief Executive Shawab Iqbal said: "Our Spring/Summer 2026 Season is a bold statement of the stories we believe in. Our home-grown productions – Small Island, Planet Omar and a new staging of Brassed Off – are led by some of the UK's most dynamic and exciting artists: Matthew Xia, Amy Leach, Sameena Hussain and Asif Khan. They sit alongside exceptional visiting work including Punch, by award-winning James Graham, fresh from its run in London's West End, and Ballet Black's 25th anniversary celebration. Together, these productions reflect the richness and diversity of our communities across Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond. Leeds Playhouse remains a home for artists and audiences – a place where everyone can feel seen, heard and inspired, something that matters more than ever in the world we live in today."

Leeds Playhouse's Spring/Summer 26 season 

Marking the 30th anniversary of Mark Herman's iconic 1996 film, Brassed Off returns in a powerful new stage production directed by award-winning Amy Leach (Animal Farm, Best Play Revival at the 2025 UK Theatre Awards). Adapted by Paul Allen, this moving story follows the Yorkshire mining community of Grimley as they face colliery closure and fight to keep their brass band, and their spirits, alive. Brassed Off is a rousing celebration of resilience, solidarity, and the unbreakable power of community. This Leeds Playhouse production will include live music from local brass bands.

Quarry Theatre, 18 June – 11 July

Director Amy Leach said: "It's a real honour to bring Brassed Off to the stage in a fresh new production, especially as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the iconic British film. This story of resilience, community and the unifying power of music feels just as urgent and moving today as it did in 1996. With live brass band performances and a brilliant creative team, we're reimagining Grimley Colliery Band's journey for a new generation and I can't wait to share it with audiences at Leeds Playhouse."

Audiences will journey from the shores of Jamaica to the cold, grey streets of 1940s London in Small Island, a powerful and intimate new portrayal of Andrea Levy's multi award-winning novel, adapted for the stage by Helen Edmundson. Directed by Olivier Award-winner Matthew Xia, it offers a deeply personal and richly evocative take on Levy's epic story of love, hope and belonging. A Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse production, in association with Actors Touring Company.

Quarry Theatre, 11 – 28 March

Director Matthew Xia said: "Small Island resonates deep in my bones. As someone of Jamaican and English heritage – my own father arrived from Jamaica in the 70s – I've personally navigated many of the tensions and connections Andrea Levy so powerfully explores.

"Audiences can expect to be immersed in an intimate, atmospheric production that evokes the textures and tones of the 1940s: the sharp cut of a demob suit, calypso crackling through a wireless, the gloom of blackout curtains.

"Small Island is about migration and memory, empire and entitlement – but also about love, across culture, colour, and class. I want this version to speak directly to audiences today, and open space for reflection in a Britain still reckoning with its past."

In April, Leeds Playhouse, with Unicorn Theatre and Birmingham Rep, will stage the world premiere of Planet Omar, a joyful and imaginative new stage adaptation of Zanib Mian's much-loved children's book series. Adapted by award-winning Bradford playwright Asif Khan, this dynamic production invites audiences into the wonderfully chaotic world of 8-year-old Omar, where everyday life is full of big questions, bigger adventures, and boundless imagination. Directed by Sameena Hussain, it was commissioned by Leeds Playhouse, who acquired the stage rights from Hachette Children's Group, publishers of the original books. With playful visuals, energetic storytelling and a heartwarming message about family, friendship and finding your place in the world, Planet Omar is set to delight audiences of all ages.

Courtyard Theatre, 7 – 25 April

Director Sameena Hussain said: "I'm absolutely thrilled to be telling this story. Planet Omar centres the power of friendship and imagination, and it's bursting with fun. I truly believe children are the best of us and we can learn so much from their honesty, creativity and resilience. Asif is a brilliant writer with an incredible ability to bring care and humour to important issues. This is a humanising story, and in these times, that feels more vital than ever."

Northern Stage, in association with Leeds Playhouse, presents I, Daniel Blake – a powerful stage adaptation of Ken Loach's 2016 award-winning film, which played to packed houses at the Playhouse in 2023. Adapted by stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Dave Johns, who starred in the original film, this urgent and moving production explores the harsh realities of poverty and bureaucracy through the story of Dan and Katie, two strangers brought together by circumstance.

Courtyard Theatre, 28 April – 9 May

Dash Arts are a Disability led visual arts organisation. Their new offering, Our Public House, is produced in association with Leeds Playhouse and opens in Leeds prior to a UK tour. It's  a funny and big-hearted new show created by Josephine Burton and written by Barney Norris, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Walton. Set in a local pub during a storm, tensions rise and truths spill out as landlady Sanjana, regular Scott, and a cast of unexpected guests confront love, secrets, and change. Featuring live music and the real words of people across England, this immersive production explores community, democracy, and the power of speaking your mind. All performances are captioned, with one BSL-interpreted show per venue.

Courtyard Theatre 15 – 23 May

Throughout the Spring/Summer 26 season, Leeds Playhouse welcomes some of the UK's most dynamic and high-profile theatre companies, artists, dance companies and comedians.

Voices of Resilience is an evening reflecting upon the resilience of Palestinians in Gaza. The diaries of three women are at the heart of Voices of Resilience: Batool Abu Akleen, Nahil Mohana and Ala'a Obaid. Their diaries and poetry record love, family, community and humour, alongside accounts of bombardment and invasion. Presented by Comma Press, this is a performance of testimonies from people experiencing what has been described as a genocide by a UN commission. Diary entries will be accompanied by traditional Arabic music performed by Ahmed Adnan and a visual score by Gazan filmmaker Hossam Abo Shamallah. The evening will be followed by a Q&A with local Palestinians, academics and activists. Voices of Resilience has previously been presented at the Barbican, Edinburgh International Book Festival Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Birmingham Literature Festival.

Courtyard Theatre, 5 February

A Grain of Sand by Good Chance is a powerful one-woman show by Elias Matar, commissioned by the London Palestine Film Festival and supported by Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. The piece follows Renad, a young Gazan girl on a dangerous journey in search of her family and the mythical 'Anqaa' – the Palestinian Phoenix. Armed only with her imagination and her grandmother's stories, Renad's tale weaves together traditional folklore and real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza. Adapted from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza, this intimate production offers a poignant exploration of war through a child's eyes, celebrating resilience, hope, and the universal right of children to simply be children.

Courtyard Theatre, 6 – 7 February

Sherlock Holmes: The Hunt for Moriarty is a gripping stage thriller set in the shadowy streets of 1901 London, where war looms and the monarchy teeters on the brink. In this world premiere, the legendary detective and his steadfast companion Dr. Watson are drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse, confronting ghosts from their past as they race against time to stop a hidden mastermind. With powerful performances, a haunting soundscape, and striking design, this production breathes new life into Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic legacy.

Courtyard Theatre, 10 – 12 February

Little M reimagines The Little Mermaid for anyone swimming against the tide. When Little M and their friend Punk the Puffer Fish discover a suitcase of mysterious treasures, drawing them to the 'world above', they set off on an epic adventure in this coming-of-age story.

Featuring puppetry, projections, and dance, Little M is a celebration of difference for audiences aged 9 and up from the minds of Anders Duckworth (Choreographer & Co-Director) and Luke Skilbeck (Writer & Co-Director).

Courtyard Theatre, 17 February

In balletLORENT's family friendly version of Snow White, seven courageous miners graft for a world of opulence enjoyed by the Queen and her beautiful daughter, Snow White. The Queen's quest for eternal beauty leads her into darkness, driven by her need to be the most desired at any cost.

This dance theatre production directed by Liv Lorent features ten extraordinary performers adorned in stunning costumes by Libby El-Alfy and Nasir Mazhar, plus an ensemble cast of youngsters from Richmond Hill Academy in Leeds. Retold by Carol Ann Duffy with music by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold. Set within Phil Eddolls' stage design and lit by Malcolm Rippeth.

Courtyard Theatre, 20 – 21 February

It Walks Around the House at Night is a chilling new ghost story by award-winning writer Tim Foley. When an out-of-work actor accepts a role playing a spectre at a remote countryside manor, he anticipates little more than a few staged scares. But as night falls, he uncovers something far more sinister. This theatrical horror blends eerie illusions, spine-tingling twists, and a wicked streak of dark humour to deliver a haunting night at the theatre. The stage is set... for terror.

Courtyard Theatre, 27 – 28 February

Internationally acclaimed dance-circus company Motionhouse presents Hidden, a breathtaking new production that fuses dynamic dance with jaw-dropping circus artistry. At the cutting edge of live performance and digital innovation, Hidden explores how light can emerge from darkness in times of crisis, offering a powerful reflection on unity in a divided world.

Courtyard Theatre, 6 – 7 March

From acclaimed writer and former Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey comes a powerful drama exploring identity, injustice, and the stories we choose to tell. Please Do Not Touch follows Mason, a social justice TikToker who visits historic houses to uncover the hidden truths behind everyday objects. But when an encounter with a Somali Afro comb leads to his wrongful incarceration in a Young Offenders' Institution, Mason must navigate a system designed to silence him. Directed by award-winning Gail Babb, this urgent and thought-provoking production interrogates colonial legacy, contested heritage, and the realities of the criminal justice system – all through a bold, contemporary lens.

Barber Studio, 12 – 13 March 

Following their award-winning, five-star smash-hit stage show and BBC film, Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, BAC Beatbox Academy make their Playhouse debut with their world premiere hip-hop musical, Pied Piper. Set in Hamelin on the eve of a mayoral election as a mysterious figure helps the town to reclaim its voice, the show features a cast of beatboxers, vocalists, and musicians, plus guest performances from the local community.

Courtyard Theatre, 12 – 14 March

Following their award-winning, five-star smash-hit stage show and BBC film, Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, BAC Beatbox Academy make their Playhouse debut with their world premiere hip-hop musical, Pied Piper. Set in Hamelin on the eve of a mayoral election as a mysterious figure helps the town to reclaim its voice, the show features a cast of beatboxers, vocalists, and musicians, plus guest performances from the local community.

Courtyard Theatre, 12 – 14 March

Debris Stevenson is a dynamic British writer, poet, performer, and activist known for combining grime music, spoken word, and theatre to explore themes of identity, neurodiversity, and social justice. Her explosive new play My Brother's a Genius blends poetry, music and movement in a powerful story of ambition, identity and neurodiversity. Set on a high-rise estate, twins Daisy and Luke wrestle with labels, expectations and their shared dream of flying, but will it bring them together or tear them apart? This is a Theatre Centre, Sheffield Theatres and National Youth Theatre co-production based on conversations with young people across the UK, this humorous and heartfelt production explores sibling rivalry and the courage to fail, fall and rise again. Directed by former Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre Director Eleanor Manners in her debut production as Artistic Director of Theatre Centre. Barber Studio, 14 March

Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival – the world's largest youth drama festival – features a series of abridged Shakespeare plays, performed by local schools. Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation is a national cultural education charity, dedicated to transforming young lives through the unique power of Shakespeare. This year, they celebrate their 25th anniversary, and for the next 25 months, their goal is to work with 25,000 students across their programmes, giving them the confidence and essential skills to succeed in life. Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival will give students from more than 350 schools a platform to further their oracy and teamworking skills, grow in self-esteem and express themselves on a professional stage.

Courtyard Theatre, 17 – 18 March

Livewire Theatre is a UK-based company dedicated to creating impactful, community-driven theatre. Their acclaimed musical drama Our Little Hour, written by Dougie Blaxland, tells the extraordinary true story of Walter Tull – the first Black footballer to play at the highest level in the UK and the first Black officer in the British Army. Featuring 16 hauntingly beautiful original songs, this promises to be a powerful and inspirational show.

Courtyard Theatre, 20 – 21 March

Frozen Light welcomes you to their latest fantasy realm with The Ancient Oak of Baldor, a folk tale of love, loss and the interconnectedness of all things. The production is a multi-sensory experience for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their companions.

Barber Studio, 23 – 25 March  

imitating the dog brings its thrilling new multimedia production War of the Worlds to Leeds Playhouse. In this epic reimagining of H.G. Wells' classic novel, four performers construct a gripping road movie live on stage, using miniature sets and projection to depict a Britain in chaos after an alien invasion. Known for their bold visual storytelling, imitating the dog's previous productions at the Playhouse include Dracula: The Untold Story, Frankenstein, and Night of the Living Dead™ – Remix.

Courtyard Theatre, 25 – 28 March

Handle with Care is theatre stripped down to its essence. No actors, no technicians. Just a box. And you. Ontroerend Goed puts you in control. Choose your role – take the lead or observe as others make choices that steer the performance in unexpected directions. Together, you create something special: a shared experience filled with reflections on time, transience, and togetherness.

Barber Studio, 27 – 28 March

Following sold-out runs at the Nottingham Playhouse and Young Vic, and simultaneous openings on Broadway and in the West End, Punch comes to Leeds Playhouse for one week only. From Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham (Dear England, This House, BBC's Sherwood), Punch brings Jacob Dunne's extraordinary true story to the stage in a gripping, high-energy and deeply moving production directed by Adam Penford.

Quarry Theatre, 7 – 11 April

Phoenix Dance Theatre return to the Playhouse with Interplay a striking mixed bill that places creative collaboration at its heart. Featuring work by internationally acclaimed choreographers, this dynamic programme explores themes of duality and artistic fusion through bold duet and ensemble pieces. Each work offers a compelling interplay of perspectives, celebrating the power of shared vision and the beauty of contrast in motion.

Quarry Theatre, 31 March – 2 April

Rude Science returns! BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates' hilarious, high-tech, highly-explosive new family show is packed with science stunts and spectacular experiments. Expect enormous bottoms, f*rt machines, pee-powered fireworks and vast whoopee cushions.

Quarry Theatre, 15 – 16 April

Yorkshire Dance's annual youth dance festival, FRESH, returns to Leeds bringing together talented young dancers aged 11–19 from across the region. Showcasing a vibrant mix of live and screen dance, from contemporary to street and kathak, FRESH celebrates the diversity and creativity of youth dance. The day culminates in a high-energy group performance, rehearsed in workshops and performed as a grand finale. FRESH 2026 is a U.Dance regional event, with one group selected to represent Yorkshire at One Dance UK's National U.Dance Festival.

Quarry Theatre, 18 April

Inspired by the life and music of legendary artist and activist Nina Simone, Black is the Colour of My Voice is powerful and moving. Featuring live renditions of Simone's most iconic songs, this internationally acclaimed production has captivated audiences for over a decade. Winner of the Best Theatre Award at Adelaide Fringe 2024, Apphia Campbell's stunning play offers a deeply personal and political portrait of one of the 20th century's most influential voices.

Quarry Theatre, 24 – 25 April

The Beekeeper of Aleppo returns to the Playhouse in May. This is the stage adaptation by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler (The Kite Runner) of the best-selling novel by Christy Lefteri.

Quarry Theatre, 28 April – 2 May 

Northern School of Contemporary dance offers a bold new programme showcasing the future of dance and presenting fresh perspectives on what contemporary movement can be today. Featuring 18 exceptional performers, the evening includes works by internationally acclaimed choreographers Alethia Antonia, Andrea Costanzo Martini and Oona Doherty, each offering a striking proposition for the next generation of dance.

Quarry Theatre, 6 May

Ballet Black makes its highly anticipated debut at Leeds Playhouse with a powerful 25th anniversary double bill. This programme features Ingoma (2019), Mthuthuzeli November's Olivier and Black British Theatre Award-winning debut inspired by the 1946 South African miners' strike. It is joined by a new creation from Alvin Ailey royalty Hope Boykin, a two-time Bessie award-winner, making her UK choreographic debut. Boykin, who says "I make work and create environments from personal and lived experiences", creates a celebratory piece honouring Ballet Black's 25-year journey and its bold future.

Quarry Theatre, 8 May

Back by popular demand after a 2025 sell-out, Stewart Lee returns to Leeds Playhouse with The Man-Wulf, a ferocious and hilarious clash of ego, identity and comedy survival.

Quarry Theatre, 11 – 13 May

Little Angel Theatre brings Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's beloved tale A Squash and a Squeeze to the Playhouse. Featuring enchanting songs and beautifully crafted puppets, this heartwarming and hilarious adventure follows a little old lady whose cosy cottage suddenly feels far too small. Leeds Playhouse continues its tradition of hosting imaginative family theatre with this delightful adaptation.

Quarry Theatre, 15 – 16 May

Emma Rice's acclaimed production of Malory Towers is heading to Leeds Playhouse in May. A joyful adaptation brings Enid Blyton's beloved boarding school stories to life with high jinks, high drama and high spirits – all set to sensational live music. Join the fearless Darrell Rivers as she navigates friendship, fierce rivalries, and midnight feasts in this nostalgic, naughty and utterly contemporary celebration of the original 'girl power' story. This co-production by Emma Rice Company, Belgrade Theatre, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse is a perfect feel-good theatrical treat for all ages.

Quarry Theatre, 27 – 30 May

Zoo Co and Improbable Theatre present the award-winning production Perfect Show for Rachel, a joyous and unpredictable celebration of theatre. Created in collaboration with Rachel O'Mahony, a theatre-loving, learning-disabled artist with a flair for chaos and comedy, the show blends physical theatre, live music, family memories and fart jokes in a moving and hilarious journey of self-expression.

Courtyard Theatre, 28 May – 6 June

Bright Sparks Theatre Company presents SMILE! School of Comedy and Performing Arts, a riotous new show bursting with belly laughs, slapstick silliness, and old-school charm. Set in a delightfully chaotic comedy school, this festival of frolic features songs, sketches, and timeless gags, from banana skins to custard pies. With a cast of talented performers who've been studying hard to master the art of hilarity, audiences are invited to join the fun and find out: will they pass with flying colours?

Barber Studio, 10 – 11 June

Boundless Theatre presents Blue Mist, a bold and urgent new play written by Mohamed-Zain Dada and directed by Milli Bhatia. Set in Chunkyz Shisha Lounge – a home away from home for Jihad, Rashid and Asif – this powerful story explores the lives of three Muslim men navigating a system that was never built for them. As community whispers, shared jokes and new hustles unfold, the lounge becomes a sanctuary under threat from local political forces. Olivier Award-nominated and critically acclaimed, Blue Mist is a searing exploration of identity, resistance and belonging in modern Britain.

Courtyard Theatre, 17 – 20 June

Ol' Man Swanny presents Windrush by Song – A Caribbean Story, a vibrant fusion of dance, music and theatre that celebrates love, legacy and resilience. When a brother and sister discover an old photograph, they are transported back to 1940s Nevis, where their grandparents, Sorel and Ginger, begin a journey of separation, migration and reunion. Through a rich Caribbean lens, the story unfolds with rhythm, heart and humour – from sun-soaked shores to the cold realities of post-war Britain. Written, directed and performed by Omari Swanston-Jeffers, with Katrina Nisbett in a leading role and a full house band under the musical direction of Christella Litras, this powerful production is a moving tribute to the Windrush generation. Produced by Ol' Man Swanny in collaboration with Renaissance One and supported by Arts Council England.

Courtyard Theatre, 22 – 23 June

Unbound Dance Theatre presents Fireflies at Dawn, an enchanting and emotionally resonant production exploring movement, memory and connection. Featuring visually impaired and sighted dancers, the show blends inclusivity and innovation, using embedded audio description, sound, light, touch, and wearable technology to enhance the sensory experience. Through vulnerability and strength, Fireflies at Dawn invites audiences to discover how life's encounters are felt, remembered, and stored in the body.

Courtyard Theatre, 24 – 25 June

For 2026, Sadé and Kristina Alleyne, founders of the award-winning Alleyne Dance, take the helm as Guest Artistic Directors of National Youth Dance Company (NYDC). Known for their athletic, rhythmically driven choreography, the duo will collaborate with NYDC's brightest young dancers to create a brand-new work. Run by Sadler's Wells, NYDC is England's flagship youth dance company, bringing together exceptional talent from across the country to work with world-leading choreographers and perform on national stages.

Courtyard Theatre, 27 June

The Playhouse's award-winning Playhouse Connect team continues to engage with up to 20,000 people each year, delivering work with participants 'on their doorstep' around the city as well as providing a warm welcome in the Playhouse building. This includes Buzz, our programme for people with learning disabilities; a weekly range of Theatre of Sanctuary activities for refugees and people seeking asylum – a programme that celebrated its 10thanniversary in 2024; a Creative Ageing programme including weekly Heydays activities and regular arts sessions for people living with dementia; and a comprehensive youth programme including Leeds Playhouse Youth Theatre for people aged 8-21 and programmes of work with schools across the region. Access provision at the Playhouse, including the Playhouse Connect work, is supported by Access Partner Irwin Mitchell.