Special celebration to mark 10 years of Carriageworks Theatre

A very special celebration will mark the tenth birthday of the city’s much-loved Carriageworks Theatre this month.

The people of Leeds have been invited to one-off open day on November 14, which will see an exciting programme of performances, workshops and tours taking place to showcase the venue’s first decade at the heart of Leeds’s local theatre scene.

Linzi Tate began working at the theatre on Millennium Square as part of their front of house team in 2007 before moving to the box office the following year.

Today she is the Carriageworks’ programme director, overseeing the theatre’s artistic remit.

She said: “It’s been an incredible experience to see the Carriageworks grow and develop and to watch so many local families coming through our doors year after year.

“We’re like a family here and we’re very proud to say that a lot of our visitors say we’ve become like part of their families too, particularly around Christmas.

“Everyone at the theatre is really looking forward to welcoming people to our birthday celebrations and showing them a bit more of what goes on behind the scenes here.

“It’s also our way of saying thanks for all the support we’ve had through the years and looking ahead to all the exciting things we have planned for the future.”

The open day takes place from 10am until 6pm and includes a teddy bear’s picnic for families and drop in talks about theatre in Leeds though the past present and future.

Other highlights in the evening include 10 Years Together, a light-hearted look at how a theatre production is made from start to finish, which takes place in the main auditorium from 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £12.50 or £10.50 concessions.

The Carriageworks storytelling tour will also explore the building’s nooks and crannies as well as some of its history. Those taking the tour can meet in the bar every two hours from 10am until 6pm. Tickets cost £5.

And 10, an exciting new production by Carriageworks’ Young Theatre Makers, made especially for the anniversary celebrations, will be performed at 2pm and 5pm, with tickets costing £6.50.

A programme of workshops will also be running through the day including animal puppet making, and 5 Senses of Theatre.

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council said:

“When the Carriageworks opened 10 years ago, it faced a real challenge to establish itself in a city that was already home to a thriving performing arts scene.

“Today the theatre is a place that welcomes and engages thousands of local families and theatre-goers each and every year and a much-loved feature of our city’s cultural landscape.

“It’s wonderful to see how successful and popular the Carriageworks has become and I’d like to personally congratulate everyone involved and wish them many more years of bringing theatre to the people of Leeds.”

For more details about Carriageworks Theatre and to see a full programme of events for the 10^th anniversary, visit http://www.leeds.gov.uk/carriageworks/Pages/default.aspx

ENDS

Fopre media enquiries, please contact

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk