Leeds Playhouse: A Tale of Two Theatres

The funds were spent in order to include 20 photographs in my book ‘Leeds Playhouse: A Tale of Two Theatres’. As outlined in the application, the grant covered the costs of photographers’ fees (typically £40+VAT per photo) or digitalisation of pictures stored in the Brotherton Collection at Leeds University Library. The Society’s logo is included in the book, along with the following sentence:
‘This book is published with the assistance of Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society’.

The following is an article written for the Society’s Annual Report:

Back in 2019, I decided to write a book about the Leeds (West Yorkshire) Playhouse. “Why?”, my friends asked me; “Because no one else has done so”, was often my reply. The Playhouse was about to celebrate its 50th Anniversary. As one of the biggest regional producing theatres in England, I felt it important to record its history.

In beginning my research, I was very fortunate to find that all the theatre’s archives had been transferred to Leeds University Library. I was also able to interview several people who were involved at the Playhouse from the very beginning. I interviewed Doreen Newlyn, one of the original committee members who campaigned for a repertory theatre in Leeds. I also interviewed Bernard Atha, who as a councillor and mayor worked hard to develop arts provision in the city, and chaired the Playhouse board of governors for many years. Sadly, neither saw the book finally published. I also interviewed Michael Attenborough who directed at the Playhouse in the 1970s and remembered his time at the theatre as if it was yesterday!

As my research progressed (delayed, of course, by Covid 19), the book evolved less as an historical record, more a case study of a regional producing theatre. I found myself asking questions about regional producing theatres more generally: how should they differ from local receiving theatres (such as the Grand Theatre); who should they exist to serve; how do you measure their success? I was fortunate in being able to ask these questions to both Artistic Directors and others who had worked to make the Leeds Playhouse what some saw as the National Theatre of the North.

Once the book was nearly finished, I started to look for a publisher, even though self-publishing seemed the most likely way forward. One publisher wanted an advance of £10,000 and marketing support. Even self-publishing looked an expensive option if I wanted help with editing and proof-reading. However, I was very lucky to discover Naked Eye Publishing, an independent not-for-profit organisation based in Settle. All involved work voluntarily; they aim to produce books at affordable prices.

Early on we discussed whether or not the book should contain photographs. We decided to include pictures of ‘star names’ who have acted at the Playhouse. Gaining copyright permission was a challenge, particularly in respect of productions at the first Leeds Playhouse (1970-1990). It also became apparent that including pictures would prove expensive. Luckily, the Leeds Philosophical & Literary Society came the rescue, awarding a grant to cover these costs.

I also learnt that publishing is a slow process, but my necessary patience was rewarded with a book of which I am proud. I hope it will be enjoyed by people in Leeds who have a long association with the Playhouse, but also by others interested more broadly in regional theatre.

‘Leeds Playhouse: A Tale of Two Theatres’ was published by Naked Eye Publishing in September 2024