Theatre Royal Wakefield

The Theatre's mission statement is: to develop new creative opportunities and experiences both within the theatre building, throughout the wider community and on tour, encouraging high quality engagement across a broad sector of the Performing Arts.

Theatre Royal Wakefield has a programme which is engaging and accessible to all members of our local community, and which maintains our reputation as a leading producing and receiving house. We aim for cater for all audiences, programming a wide range of live performances from professional companies. Our live programming strands are Music & Musicals, Drama, Stand-up Comedy and Dance, and we will present approximately 260 performances per year. In addition to this we have a commitment to programming high quality Family Friendly shows, providing engaging and entertaining productions all year round.

We also produce our own work including our hugely popular Pantomime each year and our celebrated annual Wakefield Youth Music Theatre productions, which consistently receive rave reviews. Our Creative Director is John Godber, award winning writer of plays such as Bouncers, Teechers, and Up ‘n’ Under, and together with the John Godber Company we have co-produced sixteen plays – and regularly tour nationally. Furthermore, in 2017 we produced and toured Jim Cartwright’s latest play Stand Up Stand Up. Our productions have been described as ‘Socially relevant comedy with riveting acting’ (The Stage).

We are also immensely proud of being able to support community performances, regularly programming productions and dance showcases from local companies.

As well as a vibrant and varied programme of produced and touring work, the Theatre runs a busy Learning and Participation Department. Bespoke learning programmes work across a number of identified at-risk groups including young people from low-income families, socially isolated older people, and adults working to improve their mental wellbeing. Many projects are free for participants, or offer bursaries to ensure that participation is not restricted by economic means. 25% of participants in our youth training programmes and youth productions benefit from a bursary scheme, which is directly funded by the local business community, through individual giving and through grant funding.

In 2016-2017 our outreach work engaged with nearly 800 unique learners, providing over 19,000 instances of participation. In 2018, our new Centre for Creativity will open, providing modern facilities to complement the historic Frank Matcham-designed, Grade II* listed building, which has stood on the site since 1894. The Centre for Creativity will improve accessibility, increase hospitality facilities and add a flexible performance and rehearsal space which will transform the way that artists and audiences experience performing arts in Wakefield.