Leeds Playhouse
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
WHERE
Leeds
What it’s like
A proper theatre programme for kids, from babe-in-arms shows to youth drama sessions for teens.
This is a working theatre, not a soft play or a farm, so what your kids do here depends on what's on. There's a full programme of productions, plus youth theatre drama sessions and music, movement and sensory sessions for younger people with additional needs. If you've got a baby, they can come along free under the Babe in Arms scheme for under-12-months, though they'll sit on your lap rather than get their own seat, and you still need to book a ticket for them.
Age suitability isn't a blanket thing here. Each show gets its own age recommendation based on the content, language and themes, so you'll want to check the specific production rather than assume it's all pantomime-friendly. That's the trade-off with proper theatre over a soft play: more variety, but you can't just turn up and let the kids loose on whatever's running.
The box office only opens in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 4, which catches people out if you're used to popping in whenever. Booking online or by phone works fine but adds a £2.95 transaction fee, so if you're local it's worth timing a visit to the building for those two afternoons. There's a café running weekday mornings and afternoons, plus a restaurant and bars for something more substantial, though under-18s might hit card payment restrictions at the licensed bits.
For a birthday, they do performance parties: exclusive use of a decorated party space for an hour and a half, dedicated staff, and a choice of pizza or tea party with drinks and ice cream. Worth knowing the whole building shuts for two weeks in August, so that's a dead zone for planning anything.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Babies upward for shows, 8 to 21 for youth theatre sessions
- Booking
- Online and phone bookings incur £2.95 transaction fee
- Food
- Café serving drinks and light bites, restaurant with meals, and bars (Playhouse bars hours vary)
- Getting there by bus or train
- Opposite the bus station in centre of Leeds
- Parties
- Performance parties with exclusive use of decorated party space for up to 1.5 hours, dedicated staff
- Box office is only staffed in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 4
- Booking online or by phone adds a £2.95 fee, in-person bookings don't
- Larger bags get charged for the cloakroom
- The building closes for two weeks every August
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Ticket prices vary by production and aren't fixed, so you'll see the price when you pick your show. Booking online or by phone adds a £2.95 transaction fee, but in-person box office bookings don't.
Do we need to book?
Yes, every child needs a ticket, even babies under 12 months who go in free on your lap. The box office only opens in person Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 4, so phone or online is your best bet outside that.
Is it suitable for toddlers?
Babies under 12 months get a free Babe in Arms ticket and sit with you. Beyond that, age suitability is set show by show, so check the recommendation on the specific production page.
What about food?
There's a café for drinks and light bites on weekday mornings and afternoons, a restaurant for proper meals, and bars too. Under-18s may run into card payment restrictions at the licensed venue.
Can we do a birthday party here?
They run performance parties with exclusive use of a party space for an hour and a half, with dedicated staff and a pizza or tea party option including drinks and ice cream.
Is there a discount for kids?
Under-18s in full-time education can get a discount, but it has to be stated when you book and only one discount applies per ticket. It's subject to availability, so it's not guaranteed on every show.
Can school groups book?
Groups of 10 or more get £5 off the top two price bands and every 11th seat free. Schools pay a 10% non-refundable deposit upfront, with the balance due 4 weeks before for most shows or 8 weeks for festive productions.
Is the building closed at any point?
It shuts for two weeks every August, so that's worth working around if you're planning ahead.
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