SEPTEMBER AT LEEDS HERITAGE THEATRES

September is stacked with shows at Leeds Heritage Theatres. Don’t miss the final week of the National Theatre’s sensational War Horse at Leeds Grand Theatre, before our resident companies Northern Ballet and Opera North take to the stage. Across the road, City Varieties Music Hall is full to bursting with live music, screenings, comedy, and everything in between.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED SHOWS AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE:

LAOS presents Shrek: The Musical: Tue 7 – Sat 11 April 2026

Following their rave-reviewed production of Les Misérables: Let The People Sing in 2025, LAOS Musical Theatre Company returns to Leeds Grand Theatre with the smash-hit family favourite Shrek: The Musical! Join Shrek, Fiona, Donkey and all your favourite fairy-tale characters on a heart-warming and hilarious journey through the swamp and beyond.

Opera North’s The Sound of Music: Thu 9 July – Sat 1 August 2026

Fill your hearts with one of the greatest musicals of all time, Rodgers and Hammerstein‘s glorious The Sound of Music. This heart-warming tale of family, romance, and rebellion features a timeless score including Do-Re-Mi, My Favourite Things, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and of course, its soaring title number, The Sound of Music. 

A SELECTION OF SHOWS AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE IN SEPTEMBER 2025:

War Horse: Until Sat 6 September

Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama from the National Theatre takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to life on stage.

Northern Ballet’s Merlin: Sat 13 – Sat 20 September

The man, the myth, and the legend are brought to life through spectacular sets and costumes, mind-boggling special effects and Northern Ballet’s signature blend of world-class dance and storytelling.

Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie, leave your expectations at the door as you are swept into Merlin’s world where love blooms, power battles are fought and good will strive to conquer evil.

Elis & John: That Feels Significant Live!: Sun 21 September

Elis James, John Robins and Dave Masterman are hitting the road! How does that feel?! I’ll tell you how it feels… Significant! Yes! Britain’s youngest and most relevant podcast-first broadcasters are coming to a theatre near you, and this time they’re bringing Dave!

Opera North’s The Secret Of The Black Spider: Fri 26 – Sat 27 September

Join the Opera North Youth Chorus and Youth Orchestra for a comedy thriller that will spook and delight the whole family. Back in the 15th Century, according to legend, a young woman, Christina, made a deal with a mysterious green man to protect her village from an oppressive landlord. But she doesn’t hold up her end of the bargain and out crawls a spider from her hand to wreak havoc on the village. Fast-forward a few hundred years and there are reports of strange happenings after the tomb of a Polish King is excavated. What links the two tales?

SHOWS AT CITY VARIETIES IN SEPTEMBER 2025:

Heartbreak: The Tom Petty Show: Thu 4 September

Heartbreak: The Tom Petty Show is a sensational new show celebrating the Grammy Award-winning, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and all-around American legend Tom Petty.

Tony Christie The Great Farewell Tour: Mon 8 September

The legendary crooner continues his great farewell unplugged tour, entertaining audiences around the world with incredible showmanship, an unmistakable, powerful vocal that has captivated generation after generation, and a set list that packs a punch.

Helen Bauer: Bless Her: Tue 9 September

Helen is back and is struggling. She has spent the last year being forced to hang out with someone she doesn’t like and who honestly does not like her. It’s tense, it’s uncomfortable, they won’t leave.

Star of Live at the Apollo (BBC2), 8 Out Of 10 Cats (C4), Am I Being Unreasonable (BBC One) and Extraordinary (Disney+).

Luke Morley plus special guests: Mon 15 September

Best known as lead guitarist and co-founder of Thunder, British musician Luke Morley has also had a successful side career, either as a member of the Union or releasing his own solo work.

National Theatre Live: Inter Alia (Screening): Mon 22 September

Oscar-nominated Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl, Saltburn) is Jessica in the much-anticipated next play from the team behind Prima Facie. Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright?

Grace Petrie: This Is No Time To Panic!: Fri 26 September

Like protest songs? Neither does Grace Petrie – and she’s been singing them for 15 politically disastrous years. No longer able to meet the deadened eyes or desperate hopes of left-wing audiences, she reckons there’s no better time for a feel-good show! Depressed by fascism, misogyny and eco-destruction? Sounds like YOUR climate needs a change!

Ireland The Show: Sat 27 September

Join an all-star Irish cast of highly talented singers and performers accompanied by the fabulous Keltic Storm band and world champion Gaelforce Irish dancers from an unmissable Ireland The Show that will take you on a rip-roaring journey through the decades of a globally loved culture.

Hal Cruttenden: Can Dish It Out But Can’t Take It: Sun 28 September

Hal is back on tour in 2025 with a brand-new show that promises to stick it to ‘The Man’, if ‘The Man’ doesn’t stick it back to him.

To see what’s on and book tickets, visit leedsheritagetheatres.com.