September at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House
A Fantastic Month of Drama, Comedy & Music
The Grand Theatre (more commonly known as Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House) is a theatre and opera house in the centre of Leeds. Made from a mixture of Romanesque, Scottish baronial and Gothic architecture, the theatre is home to Opera North and is regularly visited by Northern Ballet as well as a host of touring productions, musical artists and comedians.
Below are our 5 must see shows coming up throughout September.
The Shawshank Redemption | 04 – 05 September
Widely considered the greatest film ever made, The Shawshank Redemption is a story of desperation, injustice, friendship and hope. In celebration of the film’s 21st anniversary, Stephen King’s classic takes to the stage in a brand new production from Owen O’Neill and Dave Johns.
The story follows Andy Dufresne, a humble banker from Maine. Despite protests of innocence, Andy finds himself incarcerated in the notorious Shawshank facility after being served a double life sentence for the brutal murder of his wife and her lover.
Behind the claustrophobic bars of this maximum security prison, Andy befriends the prison fixer Red, after quickly learning no one survives alone in Shawshank. However, Andy is soon bullied into subservience and his accountancy talents exploited by Warden Stammas. But, unknown to the Warden, a desperately cunning plan is quietly hatched.
Alan Carr | 06 September
Alan Carr “a comedian who owns the space he is working in so much, he could put a flag up”, needs no introduction.
Channel 4’s hilarious chatty man is currently running his mouth all over the UK & Ireland with his brand new stand up show ‘Yap, Yap, Yap!’ Prepare yourself for a night of comedy gold as the BAFTA and British Comedy Award winning comedian presents his hilarious take on life. Grab your ticket quick as this will definitely be a sell-out show!
Richard Dawson & Asiq Nargile | 18 September
Richard Dawson, the UK’s answer to Captain Beefheart, has sailed far beyond his humble beginnings along the River Tyne, becoming an unmistakable voice of many Radio 6 playlists with his critically acclaimed Nothing Important album. Dawson’s voice crumbles and soars, steeped in balladry as he sings songs about his roughcast observations on everyday life.
Alongside Richard Dawson, the Howard Assembly Room also welcomes the fantastic Asiq Nargille. The Georgian singer and lutenist is widely known for her deeply expressive voice and virtuosic playing style through the acclaimed Sayat Nova project.
Borodin Quartet | 19 September
‘Here we have not four individual players, but a single sixteen-stringed instrument of great virtuosity’ – Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Gerhard Rohde, October 2013
One afternoon in 1945, four students got together at the Moscow Conservatory to play string quartets. Little did they know they were laying the foundations of what would become one of the world’s finest chamber music ensembles. Today, the Borodin Quartet stands as one of the greats in music-making, acclaimed for its rich sound and insightful interpretations.
Celebrating their 70th anniversary, the group are set to play a packed schedule of what will surely be a sell-out tour, including their Howard Assembly Room debut. Expect a stellar programme featuring Tchaikovsky’s emotional First Quartet, Beethoven’s powerful quartet No.4 and one of the Borodin Quartet’s signature pieces: Borodin No.2.
Kiss Me, Kate | September 24 – 25
Opera North’s epic 2015/16 season kicks off to an exciting start with an American classic: Kiss Me, Kate.
The musical comedy is set both on and off stage during the production of a musical version of The Taming of the Shrew. The plot follows the tangled love life between actor-manager Fred Graham, his ex-wife and leading lady Lilli Vanessi, ingenue Lois Lane and her boyfriend Bill. Add to this a couple of gangsters who somehow manage to get caught up in the action.
Kiss Me, Kate is a deliciously witty confection graced by what is probably Cole Porter's richest, most accomplished theatrical score. Studded with gems as various as 'So in Love', 'Wunderbar', 'Always True to You in My Fashion' and 'Too Darn Hot’.
Opera North's new production is conducted by David Charles Abell, who has prepared a new critical edition of the score, and directed by Jo Davies, who is responsible for a string of recent Opera North successes, including Ruddigore, Carousel and The Marriage of Figaro.
Brush up on your Shakespeare with this truly enjoyable show.
If you're attending any of the events at Leeds Grand Theatre this September then make sure you take advantage of our great parking rates at our Merrion Centre & first direct arena car park.