Summer 2024 - What's On

Booking

Online: thelbt.org (Subject to £2 transaction fee)

In person:

Wed - Sat from 10am - 5pm

By phone: 01484 430528

As we head into the summer season of our 30th year, we are proud to bring you a programme packed with a little bit of everything – from world class dance, to a fresh take on Shakespeare, a banging Bhangra Night to Mini Make Believe sessions for Under 5s and their grown-ups.

We are really excited to be able to showcase two new performances from one of the theatre’s storytellers, local writer and director Philip Stokes a “culturally important playwright of the 21st century” - The British Library. We began our relationship with Phil in 2021 as co-producers of the one man show Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me, which won the Adelaide Fringe Holden Street Theatre Award and whilst at Adelaide Fringe went on to win the Critics Award for Best Play. Then last year we supported the Edinburgh Festival Fringe run of LASH, where it won Theatre Weekly’s Best Monologue. We’re proud to have been able to support a home-grown artist and can’t wait for you to see these new shows.

Summer is our chance to get outside and make the most of the beautiful courtyard in front of Lawrence Batley Theatre. We have local live bands performing on our outdoor stage, a brand-new comedy festival, and open-air theatre shows. Sun isn’t guaranteed but a good time most definitely is!

Lawrence Batley Theatre offers world class performances and experiences right here in Huddersfield. We believe local people absolutely deserve to have the best on our doorstep. As a registered charity we rely on the generous support of our community to ensure that we can continue to provide services which engage local people in the arts for another 30 years to come. So please book tickets for a show, treat yourself to an ice cream or a pint at our bar and consider making a donation to your local theatre today. Help us to make an impact in Huddersfield.

See you here soon.

Becky Dash

Chief Executive of Lawrence Batley Theatre

NAME A LEAF

Help us celebrate our 30th birthday.

A donation of £100 or more will engrave a leaf with your dedicated message. Visit thelbt.org/support-us to find out more.

Your donation will help us to make an impact in Huddersfield.

Charity No. 510693

Thu 2 May

Main House

7:30pm

Tickets £16

Three, a triple-bill of breathtaking dance-circus from the world-renowned company Motionhouse, brings together three powerful pieces from the company’s spectacular repertoire. This moving triple bill offers audiences an opportunity to experience the creativity of Motionhouse’s unique work and the exceptional skill of its performers.

Our Cellar Theatre is the place to discover brave and exciting productions by some of the freshest, boldest and most daring artists around today. In this intimate and unique studio tucked underneath our main space, we’re bringing you the best shows from across the UK and showcasing locally rooted artists who are creating incredible performance right here in Yorkshire. Expect to see everything from the latest hits direct from the Edinburgh Fringe to new-writing from emerging playwrights and so much more. Head down the stairs to discover something new...

DRAMA

SK Shlomo

BREATHE

Sat 4 May

“Absolutely superb” BBC 5 Live

International non-binary beatboxing star SK Shlomo brings their award-winning gig-theatre solo show BREATHE: a rollercoaster love-letter to the lifesaving power of beats, bass and breathing.

8pm | Tickets £15

New Slang Productions

Tomorrow Is Not Promised

Wed 17 July

Tomorrow Is Not Promised is a poignant piece of new writing by Tian Glasgow. It’s the captivating story of a Black British woman who finds herself homeless and alone after an earthquake, exploring loss, grief and hope.

7:45pm | Tickets £15

Root & Branch Productions

Danny Echo

Thu 16 – Sat 18 May

Main House

7:30pm

Tickets £16

Madein Yorkshire

Young widow Rachael is torn apart by what happened on the final day of her husband Danny’s life. She is offered what seems like a lifeline when a controversial scientist tells her she can have Danny back again – in the form of an AI replica.

After premiering on our main stage in 2022, Huddersfieldbased theatre company Root & Branch return with Danny Echo, a Black Mirror-style exploration of the future of artificial intelligence.

DRAMA

DRAMA

Bhangra Night

Fri 17 May

Cellar Theatre

8pm - 11pm

Tickets £9

Brush up on your DJ skills or dance moves with Hardeep Sahota Visit thelbt.org to find out more

Dance the night away at our electrifying Bhangra Night! We’ve got DJ Deepsta spinning a mixure of contemporary and classic Bhangra dance floor bangers (with some R’n’B and Hip Hop thrown in too) plus a live Dhol player. This is an alcohol-free adults only event, with a fun and friendly club like atmosphere in our Cellar Theatre. It’s the perfect safe space for hitting the dancefloor!

Sat 27 January –

Last chance to see!

Sat 22 June

Closes on Sat 22 June

Free entry

Free entry

An exhibition of photography telling the story of Punjabi migration to West Yorkshire in the 1960s.

The Gallery, located on the first floor above our café-bar, is open Saturdays, 12–5pm and 60 mins before shows.

Mark Thompson Productions

Ministry of Science Live

Sun 19 May

Main House

2pm

Tickets £16 - £18

Join the UK’s favourite science team as they dive deep into the world of science. Expect 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, exploding oxygen and hydrogen balloons, fire tornados, hydrogen bottle rockets, ignited methane and even a self-built hovercraft!

Lyngo Theatre

The Little Prince

Sat 25 May

Cellar Theatre

12pm & 2:30pm

Tickets £8 - £10

See one of the best-selling children’s books of all time come to life through mesmerising puppetry and beautiful music in this brand-new adaptation of the tale of love, life and real happiness.

Sat 1 – Mon 3 June

Main House

10am, 1pm & 4pm

Tickets £18 - £24

Join Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends live in their fun-filled show! See all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets, and the amazing flying Pinky Ponk.

FAMILY

Say It Again, Sorry?

The Importance of Being...Earnest

Wed 5 June

Main House

7:30pm

Tickets £10 - £20

HHHHH

“A masterclass in comedic theatre”

North West End UK

When a traditional production of Oscar Wilde’s classic play gets underway, everything seems to be going perfectly to plan… that is, until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue. The chaotic story of love, mistaken identity and double-lives as you’ve never seen it before.

Huddersfield Thespians

Gaslight

Wed 5 – Sat 8 June

Cellar Theatre

7:15pm

2pm - Sat matinee

Tickets £15

Join Huddersfield Thespians for one of the greatest theatrical thrillers of all time as they present their version of Patrick Hamilton’s classic psychological drama.

Bella thinks she may be losing her mind, however her loving relationship with husband Jack isn’t all that it seems.

Red Entertainment

The Take That Experience

Fri 28 June

Main House

7:30pm

Tickets £27

As Take That celebrate over 30 years as the UK’s number one boy band, The Take That Experience mark over a decade together as their most popular and recognised tribute act. With acclaimed vocal performances, stunning replica costumes and iconic dance routines, The Take That Experience recreate the magic of Take That live on stage.

Philip Stokes

Thu 13 June

Yorkshire

Main House

7:30pm

A returning war hero answers an advert posted by the mysterious Mr Lupine. The horrors of World War II have broken young Wesley, but the madness he encounters in this artist’s studio may push him to destruction...

HHHHH

“Gripping & visceral”

HHHHH “Wholly entertaining” Theatre Weekly on LASH Bookboth PhilipStokes showsfor £20! Philip Stokes Joe & Jack

Fri 14 June

Main House

7:30pm

Join real-life brothers Joe & Jack in their dressing-up box and get whisked away on a hilarious and nostalgic adventure.

Scored by the music of Toyah, Ultravox and Duran Duran… why is eldest brother Jack obsessed by 1981? Why has Joe got a fat head? And why can’t they just get along?! This is a show for anyone who has ever loved being young.

Main House

10:30am & 4:30pm (Tue - 4:30pm only)

Tickets £15 - £17

Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, Zog and his Flying Doctor crew, Princess Pearl and Sir Gadabout, tend to a sunburnt mermaid, a unicorn with too many horns and a lion with the flu.

However, when the King decides princesses shouldn’t be doctors, Pearl’s locked back in the castle in a crown and a silly frilly dress! Can Pearl prove princesses can be doctors too?

Madein Yorkshire

Our annual outdoor summer festival is back! Join us on Fridays & Saturdays as we fling open the gates of our beautiful Courtyard for you to enjoy a chilled, fun and friendly time with friends and family.

Our bar will have some great drink deals on offer whilst we bring you a variety of live music from local bands and musicians on our outdoor stage.

Live music on Fridays & Saturdays from 7pm.

INTRODUCING

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

DRAMA

DRAMA

Huddersfield Thespians

Shakespeare in the Courtyard

Wed 7 - Fri 9 August

Courtyard

5pm

Tickets £7 - £12

Spend a summer’s evening in the company of some of Shakespeare’s most famous characters and experience the soaring poetry of the Bard’s words in the surroundings of our beautiful Courtyard as actors from the Huddersfield Thespians bring to life extracts from some of his most famous plays.

Fladam Green Fingers

Sat 10 August

Courtyard

12pm & 2pm

Tickets £8 - £10

Madein Yorkshire

A BLOOMING marvellous musical comedy about a boy born with gunky green hands. But is he rotten, or just misunderstood? Nominated for a BBC Popcorn New Writing Award, this Roald Dahl-esque treat is packed full of catchy songs, puppetry and plenty of humour!

Ellie Sax Live in the Courtyard

Sat 17 August

Courtyard

8pm

Tickets £22

Global saxophone sensation Ellie Sax has graced some of the world’s most exclusive clubs, raves and festivals captivating audiences from Ibiza to the Maldives, Portugal to the Caribbean and across the UK. Now she’s bringing the party right here to Huddersfield! Join Ellie for an epic live performance on our outdoor stage as she fuses her sax playing talents with club classics and dancefloor bangers.

A Night at the Musicals

Fri 23 August

Courtyard 7pm

Tickets £10 All ticket money will go towards our 30th birthday fundraising.

Join members of Huddersfield’s brilliant amateur theatre societies for a night of musical theatre delights on our outdoor stage. An evening packed with songs from some of the most popular shows from the West End and Broadway as part of our 30th birthday celebrations.

Huddersfield’s Got Talent

Sat 24 August

Courtyard

From 2pm - Under 18s

From 7pm - Over 18s

Tickets £10 All ticket money will go towards our 30th birthday fundraising.

As part of our 30th birthday celebrations join us for a day of entertainment and discover some of the amazing talent we have here in Huddersfield. Local singers, dancers, magicians, comedians and everything in between will take to our outdoor stage in front of a panel of judges with the chance to win some amazing prizes.

Want to take part in the show? Visit thelbt.org to find out more.

CABARET & VARIETY

Gather up your mini movers and shakers for a daytime dance party with a difference!

Dinky Disco

Cellar Theatre

11am

Tickets £7 adult & child, £5 additional child or adult

Fri 17 May

Bop to the beats in our Bhangra Babies session.

Fri 28 June

You’re invited to our special Birthday Party with games, presents and cake.

Fri 16 August

We go Festival Style with our outdoor dance party! (£10 adult & child, £7 additional child or adult).

In the Gallery

The Gallery is open on Saturdays, 12 – 5pm and 60 minutes before show times. Our Gallery is located on the first floor above our café-bar.

Free entry, donations are welcome

University of Huddersfield Costume with Textiles Graduate Show: Made in Huddersfield

Sat 13 July – Sun 25 August

An exhibition showcasing the talents of the BA(Hons) Costume with Textiles 2024 graduates from the University of Huddersfield.

Mini Make Believe

Wed 8 May & Wed 12 June

Cellar Theatre

11am

Tickets £7 adult & child, £5 additional child or adult

Have a little person with a flair for the dramatic? These sessions aimed at 2-4 year olds are a great introduction to drama and the chance to be playful with your little ones. We will use costume, props and our own wild imaginations to create characters and stories in make-believe worlds.

Young Company

Running during term time, our Young Company offers young people aged 6 –16 weekly workshops to help develop their performance and creative skills. Each term our passionate tutors focus on a specific theme, inspired by professional productions performed on our stage. Friendly and welcoming, our Young Company offers a relaxed space for young people to get creative whilst learning to work with others and make new friends. Find out more about getting involved at thelbt.org

Summer Sessions

1 & Fri 2 August.

FAMILY

NAME A SEAT

Help us celebrate our 30th birthday by naming a seat in our Grade II listed building.

£250 for a seat | £500 for a box

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

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

Charity No. 510693

Main House Seating Plan

MAY

Thu 2 Three

Thu 2 Comedy Cellar

Sat 4 BREATHE

Tue 7 Ivo Graham - Organised Fun

Wed 8 Mini Make Believe

Tue 14 Playreading

Wed 15 Josh Jones - Gobsmacked

2 shows in the season and get 20% off!

*

15% off!

Schedule

Thu 16 - Sat 18 Danny Echo

Fri 17 Dinky Disco - Bhangra Babies

Fri 17 Bhangra Night

Sun 19 Ministry of Science Live

Fri 24 Clinton Baptiste - Roller Ghoster!

Sat 25 The Little Prince

Tue 28 Playreading

Wed 29 Attic Stories

Thu 30 Boozy Book Club

Thu 30 Comedy Cellar

Fri 31 Emmanuel Sonubi - Curriculum Vitae

JUNE

Sat 1 - Mon 3 In The Night Garden Live

Wed 5 The Importance of Being… Earnest?

Wed 5 - Sat 8 Gaslight

Tue 11 Playreading

Wed 12 Mini Make Believe

Thu 13 Shellshocked

*

Book 5 shows in the season and get *

Book 3 shows in the season and get 25% off!

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

We wouldn’t be here without our incredible funders.

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Fri 14 Joe & Jack

Tue 18 - Thu 20 Zog and the Flying Doctors

Thu 20 Boozy Book Club

Tue 25 Playreading

Wed 26 Attic Stories

Thu 27 Comedy Cellar

Fri 28 Dinky Disco - Birthday Party

Fri 28 The Take That Experience

Fri 28 – Sat 27 July Summer in the Courtyard

JULY

Thu 4 Jennie Lee

Tue 9 Playreading

Sat 13 JulySun 25 August The Gallery: University of Huddersfield Costume with Textiles Graduate Show: Made in Huddersfield

Wed 17 Tomorrow Is Not Promised

Wed 17 - Thu 18 The Taming of the “Shrew”

Thu 18 Boozy Book Club

Tue 23 Playreading

Thu 25 Comedy Cellar

Wed 31 Courtyard Stories

AUGUST

Thu 1 - Fri 2 Summer Sessions

Fri 2 - Sat 3 Courtyard Comedy Festival

Tue 6 Playreading

Wed 7 - Fri 9 Shakespeare in the Courtyard

Sat 10 Green Fingers

Thu 15 Boozy Book Club

Fri 16 Dinky Disco - Festival Style!

Sat 17 Ellie Sax Live in the Courtyard

Tue 20 Playreading

Fri 23 A Night at the Musicals

Sat 24 Huddersfield's Got Talent