Spring 2024 - What's On

SPRING 2024

Online: thelbt.org (Subject to £2 transaction fee) In person: Wed - Sat from 10am - 5pm By phone: 01484 430528 Phone line open at times above

Getting Here Our address is:

Queen Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2SP Parking: Visit the Kirklees Council website for the most up-to-date parking information.

All information is correct at time of printing. Please visit thelbt.org for the most up-to-date information.

Visiting Our Box Office is open to the public Wed – Sat from 10am – 5pm and from 90 minutes before show times.

Our Café-bar and Gallery are open Sat, 12 – 5pm and 60 minutes before shows times.

Key

Audio Described

British Sign Language

RP Relaxed CAP Captioned Performance Performance Age guidance & content warnings for shows available online at thelbt.org

Book multiple shows at once and get

££ off!

See page 31 for more info

/lawrencebatleytheatre @thelbt

@lawrencebatleytheatre

@TheLBTHuddersfield

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Cover Image: Feel Me – The Paper Birds. More info on page 11.

Welcome

Booking

As we move into another exciting year of music, dance, drama, musicals, and comedy we also mark a milestone for Lawrence Batley Theatre as we celebrate 30 years of bringing the best entertainment to Huddersfield.

confidence, and gives us all a community to belong to and be proud of.

Lawrence Batley Theatre is a registered charity striving to be the Creative Heart of Huddersfield.

We share exciting and entertaining stories, nurture local talent and support young people and underrepresented groups to be creative in a welcoming environment.

We stage more than 300 performances each year and welcome over 70,000 people through our doors. We keep our ticket prices affordable including £5 tickets for under 30s and low-income families on all shows. We believe that the people of Kirklees deserve to have access to world class theatre on their doorstep and as the only professional theatre in the area, it’s our role to provide that.

Each year we work with over 2,000 young people and adults in creative sessions ranging from youth theatre to Bhangra classes, discos for under 5s to our annual community production. This year we became an official Theatre of Sanctuary, which means we welcome refugees and asylum seekers into our space with open arms and give them safety, respect and self-worth when they are most in need. This work has been possible because of donations from individuals like you.

Live performance venues are one of the things that a town needs to be a great place to live and work, and we are here to do our community proud. You can support our charitable work in lots of different ways; by buying tickets, making a donation, becoming a member of the theatre and advocating for the work that we do or treating yourself to a pint and an interval ice cream. People need a little magic in their lives, now so more than ever and we make magic happen.

Lawrence Batley Theatre was built by the community for the community. Creativity is for everyone and has proven benefits to mental and physical wellbeing, it reduces loneliness, increases

See you here soon.

-

Becky Dash

Chief Executive of Lawrence Batley Theatre

Frankenstein (2023) - Lawrence Batley Theatre Community Production. Photo by Robling Photography

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Our Cellar Theatre is the place to disco ver brave, bold and exciting productions. We’re bringing you the best shows from across the UK and showcasing locally rooted artists who are creating incredible performance here in Yorkshire. Head down the stair s to discover something new...

DRAMA DRAMA

A E M NA T SEA Help us celebrate our 30th birthday by naming a seat in our Grade II listed building.

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

Sam Danson and Emmerson & Ward

BI-TOPIA Wed 7 February

A comedic, touching and candid performance

by Northern theatre maker Sam Danson, BI-TOPIA is a coming-of-age story exploring the authentic bisexual experience, mental health, sexuality and masculinity.

Charity No. 510693

Wed 6 March Have you ever thought about what it means to lose something forever? The Polar Bear (Is Dead) is a playful show about loss, the climate crisis and the Spice Girls.

Falling Stars Theatre

Meet Parveen Sat 23 March

Visit thelbt.org/support-us to find out more.

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The Polar Bear (Is Dead)

7:45pm | Tickets £15

7:45pm | Tickets £15

£250 for a seat | £500 for a box

Your donation will help us to inspire, entertain, and share exciting stories with our community.

Nat and Dani

DRAMA

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

Meet Parveen is a hilarious and enlightening show about the menopause. A candid portrayal of the ups & downs of getting older, this heartfelt performance explores the triumphs and tribulations of womanhood.

7:30pm | Tickets £15

Post-show talk

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MUSIC

DANCE

Jasmin Vardimon Company

ALiCE

Tue 23 – Wed 24 January Main House 7:30pm 1pm - Wed matinee Post-show talk: Tue 23 January Tickets £16 6

ALiCE tells the story of a woman, or perhaps a child, unsure of her identity or where she is going. Escaping and exploring, discovering the powers within her changing body. The world around her is different, curious, and compelling - and at times absolutely bonkers! Award-winning choreographer Jasmin Vardimon’s creation is a re-imagining of the groundbreaking classic Alice in Wonderland, and promises a sensory feast of arresting images, powerful performers and striking kinetic scenery.

Sat 27 January Main House 7:30pm Tickets £27

As seen on BBC ONE and voted the UK’s no. 1 Dolly Parton tribute, West End star Kelly O’Brien is undeniably one of the BEST Dolly impersonators you will ever see. Featuring the beloved hits of the country legend including 9 to 5, Baby I’m Burning and Islands in the Stream, as well as powerful ballads such as I Will Always Love You and Jolene.

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FAMILY

DRAMA FAMILY

ADAPTED FROM JULIA DONALDSON AND AXEL SCHEFFLER’S AWARD-WINNING PICTURE BOOK

HHHHH

‘Everything good children’s theatre should be’ The List

HHHHH

‘Warm, witty and beautifully made… a fantastic family favourite’ LondonTheatre1 for ages

Tue 30 – Wed 31 January

3+

Main House 1pm & 4:30pm 1pm, Wed 31 Jan - RP

Tickets £16 Under 16s £14 One wild and windy night the Gruffalo’s Child ignores her father’s warnings about the Big Bad Mouse and tiptoes out into the deep dark wood. She follows snowy tracks and encounters mysterious creatures – but the Big Bad Mouse doesn’t really exist... does he?

Tell Tale Hearts

The Bluebird Sat 3 February

Cellar Theatre 12pm & 2:30pm Tickets £8.50

Join children’s theatre company Tell Tale Hearts for this family show for ages 5+. Inspired by a 1908 play, The Blue Bird by Belgian playwright Maurice Maeterlinck, this interactive adventure raises important philosophical questions for both children and adults. Join Mirtel and Micky on their quest to find the elusive bluebird and help unlock it’s mystery…

An enchanting adaptation of the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

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in de re Ma kshi r Yo

The Gruffalo’s Child © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2004 – Macmillan Children’s Books

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DRAMA

DRAMA

As SHE Likes It Thu 1 – Fri 2 February

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

Main House 7:30pm Tickets £12

CAP

Combining multimedia, verbatim, cabaret and drag, As SHE Likes It, written by Chloe Wade and supported by Olivier Award winning playwright, Morgan Lloyd Malcolm (Emilia, The Globe; Obsession, Netflix), is a darkly comedic play exploring the #MeToo movement.

DRAMA

The Paper Birds

Highly Suspect

Murder on the Disorient Express Sat 10 February 10

Cellar Theatre 7:45pm Tickets £14 A legendary detective killed aboard a famous train – but who had locomotive for murder?

A fiendish plot, evidence to examine, and cryptic clues to crack in this whodunnit event from acclaimed mystery maestros.

Feel Me

Main House 7:30pm 1pm - Thu matinee

Wed 7 – Thu 8 February

Tickets £16

CAP

Feel Me is a new interactive theatre show from The Paper Birds, UK leaders in devised verbatim theatre. Feel Me asks, via your mobile phone, who and what you care about from the stories unfolding live on stage in front of you.

Through a stunning mixture of live performance, film, projection, dance and music, Feel Me explores the different lenses through which we are told, and connect to stories in the modern digital world.

An interrogation of empathy, Feel Me asks what makes us ‘feel’ for another person, as we journey through landscapes and across borders, through weather storms and paperwork, changing seasons, endless queues and interviews.

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DRAMA

DRAMA

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in de re Ma kshi r Yo

The John Godber Company

Bouncers Thu 15 – Sat 17 February Main House 7:30pm 2:30pm - Sat matinee Post-show talk: Thu 15 February Tickets from £10 12

Tue 20 February The John Godber Company presents the iconic Bouncers, returning in 2024 after its hit 2023 tour!

Join Les, Ralph, Judd and Lucky Eric as they relive a night in a Yorkshire nightclub.

Hilarious, vulgar, frenetic, highly physical and with a pumping 80’s soundtrack, this new production of this iconic play takes us back to the glorious highs when disco was king, and everyone lived for the weekend.

Don’t miss this classic comedy and Northern favourite.

Main House 7:30pm Tickets £18 Alice is done with fast fashion. Ben can’t stop buying trainers. And Charlie just wants to sell out... one organ at a time. In an age of thrifting, retail therapy, climate crisis and click & collect – how does ‘stuff’ define us? And do we know when to stop?

Peak Stuff, from award-winning theatre company ThickSkin, takes a deep dive into consumer culture.

Underscored by live drumming and featuring a spectacular video design, multiple stories collide in this messed up show for messed up times.

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DRAMA

MUSIC

Northern Swing Orchestra

A Tribute to Glenn Miller Sat 2 March Main House 7:30pm

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

Tickets from £19.50 The Leeds-based 16-piece Big Band return to ours with their tribute to the great bandleader and musician, Glenn Miller. Performing classic songs such as In the Mood, Little Brown Jug, Chattanooga Choo Choo and many more.

MUSIC

University of Huddersfield Big Band Tue 12 March

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

Main House 7:30pm Tickets £13 Students £8 Expect an eclectic mix of classic swing, evocative ballads, exciting Latin and original funk from this renowned student band.

Photo: Jon Robert

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Umar Butt

Welcome to the Jungle Main House 7:30pm

Mon 4 March After being placed in grave danger, Tamanna has fled from her family home in Pakistan, travelled illegally across continents, spent time in the Calais jungle, and ended up here. Charlie has been at a nightclub, dancing and drinking, looking for her own kind of refuge from the weight of caring for her terminally ill mum.

As Charlie emerges from the club into the night

Tickets £16 air, she sees a figure standing on the edge of a nearby bridge. This is the moment Charlie and Tamanna’s lives entwine....

With an exciting soundscape, video, poignant storytelling and dynamic physical theatre, Welcome to the Jungle explores vital, contemporary issues around identity, migration, belonging, family and community.

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DRAMA

New Old Friends in association with Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

FAMILY

Houdini’s Greatest Escape

Northern Ballet

Tortoise & the Hare

Tue 5 – Wed 6 March Main House 7:30pm Tickets from £15

Sat 23 March

Harry Houdini is the world’s greatest escapologist. Just as he’s on the cusp of a career-defining performance he’s framed for murder by a gang of criminals in cahoots with the chief of police. Will he escape the plot?

And how is his rival, The Superstar Spiritualist medium, involved?

A hilarious 39 Steps-esque thriller, bursting with physical comedy and sparkling wit.

DRAMA

Red Ladder Theatre Company

We’re Not Going Back 75 mines. 3 sisters. 1 cause.

Wed 13 March Main House 7:30pm

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in de re Ma kshi r Yo

CAP Tickets £16 Commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1984 miners’ strike this poignant musical comedy follows the fortunes of three sisters determined to set up a branch of ‘Women Against Pit Closures’ highlighting the resilience of working communities, the make-and-mend fabric of family and the power of taking on a government hell-bent on destruction.

Main House 2pm, 4pm & 6pm Tickets £10 Child £8

The race is on in Northern Ballet’s Tortoise & the Hare. When a cheeky Hare won’t stop boasting about how fast he can run, thoughtful Tortoise decides it is time to join him in a race. No one thinks Tortoise can win, but when Hare gets distracted by games and treats, Tortoise might just surprise us all. The perfect introduction to live ballet and music, your little ones will be cheering along as a playful cast of characters re-tell this classic tale.

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FAMILY

MUSICAL THEATRE

THE GLORIOUS HIT MUSICAL

Join Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company as they present the must-see musical sent from above!

Woodhouse Musical Theatre Company

Tue 26 – Sat 30 March Main House 7:30pm 2:15pm - Sat matinee Tickets from £13 20

Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent! Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A heavenly musical which raises the spirits and warms the soul featuring songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.MTIShows.co.uk

Dinosaur Adventure Live

Wed 3 April Main House 2pm & 4:30pm Tickets £16

When the island’s ancient volcano becomes active, it spells danger for everyone – including the Dinosaurs! It’s a race against time to help the Rangers and their favourite Dinosaurs save Volcano Island from imminent disaster. This amazing, immersive and interactive show is guaranteed to be an unforgettable adventure for the whole family.

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MUSIC

Forever Tenors

Surrender Tour Fri 5 April Main House 7:30pm Tickets £25 VIPs £35* *Season deal not available on VIP tickets.

Join the Forever Tenors for the final date of their Surrender Tour here in Huddersfield. Consisting of two incredibly talented vocalists, Adam Lacey and Robert Durkin, the Forever Tenors are a dynamic classical crossover duo. This unforgettable night of music promised mesmerizing harmonies and awe-inspiring vocals.

Cellar Theatre From 1pm

Sun 7 April

Tickets FREE, donations are welcome.

All money goes to IASK – Immigration and Asylum Support Kirklees.

Celebrate Eid in style at our first ever Eid Milan Fashion Show. Join us for an exquisite display of traditional and contemporary fashion, where cultural richness meets runway glamour!

Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of fashion, culture, and coming together.

BOX OFFICE: 01484 430528

MUSIC

Fri 12 April Main House 7:30pm Tickets £29.50

Experience a tapestry of vibrant designs, luxurious fabrics, and trendsetting ensembles that capture the essence of Eid, plus browse the stalls of local vendors. There’ll be dazzling ethnic wear, modern fusion styles and jewellery available for you to get your perfect Eid ensemble together.

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A Night To Remember: Motown Show

in de re Ma kshi r Yo

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A high energy show, packed with the greatest Motown hits of all time! Starring The Voice UK finalist, Bizzi Dixon, and backed by the soulful vocal dynamics of The Motown Divas.

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MUSICAL THEATRE

Huddersfield Light Opera Company

Mon 22 – Sat 27 April

Main House 7:15pm, 2:15pm - Sat matinee Tickets from £6

After making a splash with Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Huddersfield Light Opera Company return with another fairy-tale classic. Based on the Victor Hugo novel and featuring a sweeping score and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is an epic story of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero.

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Music by Alan Menken Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Book by Peter Parnell Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney film. Originally developed by Disney Theatrical Productions.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI www.mtishows.co.uk

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FAMILY

Dinky Disco Fri 19 January, Fri 23 February, Fri 22 March Cellar Theatre 11am Tickets £7 Gather up your mini movers and shakers for a daytime dance party with a difference as our resident DJ spins tracks specially chosen to be enjoyed by little tapping toes and also get big people grooving (sorry, no Baby Shark here!).

In the Gallery The Gallery is open on Saturdays, 12 – 5pm and 60 minutes before shows times.

Our Gallery is located on the first floor above our café-bar. Just head up the spiral staircase!

Free entry, donations are welcome

4000 Miles To Home In 1961, Akbal Singh Kang migrated 4000 miles from Punjab to the UK. This exhibition of photographs, curated by Akbal’s son Gurj Kang, documents Akbal’s family and community living in West Yorkshire throughout the 1960s, detailing a vibrant, driven and thriving community that managed to develop its 4000 miles journey into a personal journey of growth and success.

Young Company

Our café-bar

Running during term time, our Young Company offers young people aged 6 – 15 weekly classes to help develop their performance and creative skills.

Relax and enjoy your favourite beverage including Dark Woods speciality coffee, roasted locally and served by our baristas, and some of the finest local beers from Magic Rock. Take advantage of our pre-show offers including a delicious stone-baked Italian pizza & a pint or any hot drink served with a tasty treat from local Hadfield’s bakery*

Each term our passionate Young Company leaders focus on a specific theatre related theme building up to an informal sharing to family and friends. Previous sessions have seen the young people work towards creating their very own murder mystery play, radio play and pantomime.

Find out more about getting involved at thelbt.org

Order your interval drinks from the scan points in the theatre before you go in to avoid the queues!

Our café-bar is open for all shows and on Saturdays, 12 – 5pm.

*Speciality coffees and pizzas are available up until 30 mins prior to start of performances.

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INTRODUCING

Lawrence Batley Theatre Membership Scheme For just £30 per year, you can get these exclusive benefits: Priority booking on headline shows Invitations to special meet the artist events and talks No online transaction fee Members only newsletters Annual thank you from the Chief Executive The opportunity to support and sustain an arts charity

Visit thelbt.org for more information 28

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Schedule

Main House Seating Plan

Book

2 shows in the season and get

*

Book

3 shows

in the season and get

20% off!

*

Book

5 shows

Boozy Book Club

Fri 19

Dinky Disco

Tue 23 - Wed 24

ALiCE

Tue 23

Playreading

Thu 25

Comedy Cellar

Sat 27 Jan - Sat 22 Jun

The Gallery: 4000 Miles To Home

Sat 27

The Dolly Show

Tue 30 - Wed 31

The Gruffalo’s Child

Wed 31

Attic Stories

Thu 1 - Fri 2

As SHE Likes It

Sat 3

Mark Simmons

Sat 3

The Bluebird

Tue 6

Playreading

Wed 7 - Thu 8

Feel Me

Wed 7

BI-TOPIA

Wed 7

Masterclass: Drama Games

Fri 9

Count Arthur Strong

Fri 9

Scott Bennett

Sat 10

Murder on the Disorient Express

Thu 15 - Sat 17

Bouncers

Thu 15

Boozy Book Club

Fri 16

Tom Houghton

Tue 20

Peak Stuff

Tue 20

Playreading

Thu 22

Comedy Cellar

Fri 23

Dinky Disco

Wed 28

Attic Stories

*

Sat 2

Northern Swing Orchestra

Mon 4

Welcome to the Jungle

Tue 5 - Wed 6

Houdini’s Great Escape

Tue 5

Playreading

Wed 6

The Polar Bear (Is Dead)

Wed 6

Masterclass: Intro to Stand-Up Comedy

Thu 7

Reginald D Hunter

Thu 7

Lou Conran

Fri 8

Tim Vine

Tue 12

University of Huddersfield Big Band

Wed 13

We're Not Going Back

Tue 19

Playreading

Thu 21

Boozy Book Club

We wouldn’t be here without our incredible funders.

Fri 22

Dinky Disco

Sat 23

Tortoise and the Hare

Tue 26 - Sat 30

Sister Act

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Wed 27

Attic Stories

Thu 28

Comedy Cellar

*Shows must be booked at the same time, offer not available in retrospect.

BOX OFFICE: 01484 430528 | THELBT.ORG

Masterclass: Special Effects Make Up

Thu 18

MARCH

in the season and get

30

Playreading

Wed 17

F E B R U A RY

15% off!

25% off!

JA N U A RY Tue 9

APRIL Tue 2, Tue 16

Playreading

Wed 3

Dinosaur Adventure Live

Wed 3

Masterclass: How to be a Producer

Fri 5

Josh Jones: Gobsmacked

Fri 5

Forever Tenors

Sun 7

Eid Milan Fashion Show

Fri 12

A Night To Remember: Motown Show

Thu 18

Boozy Book Club

Mon 22 - Sat 27

Hunchback of Notre Dame

Wed 24

Attic Stories

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SUPPORT US TODAY Your donation will help us to inspire, entertain, and share exciting stories with our community.

Visit thelbt.org/support-us to find out more.

Charity No. 510693