Our theatres have plenty to make a song and dance about

With War Horse and The Lion King coming to Yorkshire, Nick Ahad looks at why so many big name musicals are heading north.
Daniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres productionDaniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres production
Daniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres production

In a room full of cynical journalists, on the top floor of the National Theatre, it’s going to take something special to impress this crowd.

Joey is that something special. We know In a room full of cynical journalists, on the top floor of the National Theatre, it’s going to take something special to impress this crowd.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

it’s wood and leather. We know there are three men operating this structure – it’s an impressive puppet, but a puppet all the same. However, when Joey steps out from behind a curtain, the effect is to turn the journalists into little boys and girls full of wonder. When Joey bends his head and allows you to stroke his muzzle, you really do feel that slight apprehension that comes with petting an animal as powerful as a horse.

Daniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres productionDaniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres production
Daniel Nielsen, 11, from Barnsley, meets Joey, the life-size horse puppet from the National Theatres production

If this is the effect close up, the sight of Joey high up on a stage, with other puppet horses, is something to behold.

Joey is the star of the stage version of War Horse, touring the UK for the first time next year. The fact that the National Theatre’s tour is coming to Yorkshire is a major coup and the result of much hard work by the people who run our theatres.

War Horse, the phenomenally successful show based on the books by Michael Morpurgo, will be landing on the stage of Bradford Alhambra in May next year, the only Yorkshire venue on the national tour.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Earlier this year at the tour’s launch, Nick Starr, executive director of the National Theatre, said it was important that the London-based theatre lived up to its name. “We are a theatre for the nation, so when we have a show like War Horse, it is something of a duty to make sure that as many people around the country get the chance to see it.”

It’s all well and good making work at the Southbank headquarters of the National Theatre, but it is prohibitively expensive for most to travel to London to see shows like War Horse. Which is why it’s so important that it is coming to Yorkshire

Adam Renton is manager of Bradford Theatres, and the person responsible for bringing shows to the Alhambra theatre. “We had a relationship with the National Theatre already, so that meant they were confident in allowing us to have the show here,” he says.

Not only is War Horse in the programme for 2014, but Renton has also secured The Lion King, another massive smash making its way out of London for the first time. Next year marks the centenary of the Bradford Alhambra, and it is celebrating by bringing The Lion King to the theatre from March to May, War Horse from May to June and a two-week run of the West End production of Singin’ in the Rain in September.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Working with Disney to get them to bring The Lion King to us as the only Yorkshire date has taken two-and-a-half years,” he says. “They told us it’s the attention to detail, the cleanliness of the theatre, the friendliness of the staff, all these things help us secure shows like this for our theatre.

“It’s fantastic for Yorkshire audiences to get to see these shows on their doorstep. Over a seven week period, we’re expecting 90,000 people to come to Bradford to see the show. That’s 90,000 people who are spending money on parking, petrol, restaurants, hotels, it’s a huge boost to the local economy.”

Not to be outdone, the Leeds Grand Theatre has also announced shows for next year, including Shrek the Musical, which will start its UK tour in Leeds and the hit show Wicked in June.

Ian Sime is the general manager at Leeds Grand and has been responsible for programming the theatre’s shows since 2007. Since then he has brought a multitude of West End shows to the city, including Chicago, Spamalot, Hairspray, and Oliver!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ian works with producers such as Cameron Mackintosh and Bill Kenwright all of whom have brought major productions to Leeds during Ian’s time at the theatre. “Yes, my relationship with producers plays a part in bringing in such shows, but it is the support of our audiences that actually make it happen,” he continues. “We have to have a supportive audience to make it viable for West End producers to bring their shows here.”

So after a string of smash hit successes what’s next for Leeds? “We have shows booked in right up to 2018 – some real blockbusters,” Ian continues. “But I’m keeping those to myself.”

It isn’t just about the coup of actually bringing the shows to Yorkshire and giving audiences here the opportunity to see such work that is to be applauded. As well as the cachet of bringing such high profile work to Yorkshire, there are real, financial benefits to having such big shows in the Broad Acres.

Related topics: