Lawrence Batley Theatre has announced its full summer season featuring the return of world-renowned dance-circus company, a brand-new comedy festival and the bravest, boldest shows from Northern theatre maker Philip Stokes.
Following the huge success of Nobody, staged in 2021, the world-renowned dance-circus company Motionhouse returns with a triple-bill dubbed Three.
The show will bring together three powerful pieces from the company’s spectacular repertoire. This moving triple bill offers audiences an opportunity to experience the creativity of Motionhouse’s unique work and the exceptional skill of its performers.
This August, with comedy partner Anthony J Brown, the theatre is bringing a brand-new comedy festival to the town.
Over the first weekend of August audiences will experience outdoor stand-up from the likes of Paul Sinha and Dane Baptiste. On the Saturday there’ll also be a competition to win the Lawrence Batley Theatre Best New Yorkshire Act Award.
Philip Stokes, known for Heroin(e) for Breakfast, Jesus Jane Mother and Me and LASH, is showcasing two new performances this season.
Known as a “culturally important playwright of the 21st century” by The British Library, the theatre has had a supportive relationship with the Leeds-based playwright and director since 2021.
That’s when they came on board as co-producers of the one man show Jesus, Jane, Mother & Me, which won the Adelaide Fringe Holden Street Theatre Award, and whilst at Adelaide Fringe went on to win the Critics Award for Best Play.
Then in 2023, the theatre supported the Edinburgh Festival Fringe run of LASH, where it won Theatre Weekly’s Best Monologue.
Lawrence Batley Theatre is proud to have been able to support a home-grown artist and can’t wait for audiences to see his new shows Shellshocked and Joe & Jack this season.
Becky Dash, chief executive of the Lawrence Batley Theatre, said: “Our summer season is a celebration of the real mix of performances on offer right here in Huddersfield, from family fun to comedy, contemporary dance to groundbreaking drama and everything in between.
“As we mark 30 years of being the only professional theatre in Kirklees we are celebrating that we can offer the very best right here on our doorstep.
“Being an arts charity in the current climate isn’t easy, but we know now more than ever that people need entertainment, creativity, and a reason to be proud of where they are from.
“That’s why we are aiming to raise £30,000 over our 30th year to ensure that we can continue to do our community proud, punch above our weight and make magic happen for many years to come.”
Tickets for the summer season are now on sale. More information and tickets can be found at www.thelbt.org
Concert on the Hill is back with a new name and there’s far more to it than just music
