(Carriageworks info pack)

New venue opening Winter 2005

Nadine Khadr writes:

The Carriageworks, a new theatre venue, is due to open in Winter 2005 on Millennium Square, Leeds City Centre. It will replace the existing Leeds Civic Theatre, which although much loved, is old fashioned and currently attracts only a limited range and number of activities.

Incorporating the historic structure of an early Victorian carriage works, the new venue will offer two performance spaces - the Main Auditorium (350 capacity) and Studio Theatre (80 capacity) - alongside rehearsal space for hire, dressing rooms, backstage shower facilities and bar and catering services. The Carriageworks will operate within a commercial development of bars, cafés and restaurants grouped around a historic glass roofed and heated courtyard.

Bringing community arts out of the back streets and into the City Centre, the Main Auditorium programme will prioritise community arts. By providing a showcase venue for local youth and community groups within the arts sector, this purpose built auditorium will offer opportunities for lifelong learning and development for both attendees and participants. There will be 4-8 national touring performances a year in the Main Auditorium. Our mission is to programme inspiring professional productions of a high quality, targeting young people and/or culturally diverse audiences.

The Studio Theatre will provide a key platform for small scale Leeds-based performing companies alongside small scale national touring companies. Within this framework, where possible, the Studio Theatre aims to support the artistic and professional development of newly established Leeds-based theatre companies and recent graduates.

For further information, or to join the mailing list, please contact :

Nadine Khadr
Carriageworks Programme Development Officer
Telephone 0113 2474746
Carriageworks Theatre
PO Box 596
Leeds
LS2 8YQ
Email: Nadine.Khadr@leeds.gov.uk

[as issued 6 Jan 2005]