We use cookies on this site. Please see our Privacy Policy.

City Varieties Music Hall

City Varieties Music Hall tours


VIDEO

 

The City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds does not currently offer public tours, however it does offer 1-hour theatre tours for educational groups. Check with the theatre for details and below.

 

 

Educational Tours

 

City Varieties Music Hall offers 1-hour theatre tours for educational groups only (primarily under 25s / school students) to be arranged via 07738 267757 or learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com and at a cost of £100 for a maximum of 30 students.

Note that back stage access is not guaranteed as tours are arranged around incoming performances production requirements.

Check here for information on the Learning and Engagment team's Take Part programme

 
Duration: 60 minutes
How to book: By telephone on +44 (0)7738 267757
Cost: £100 for a maximum of 30 students

 

 

How to get there

 

City Varieties Music Hall is situated in the heart of Leeds City Centre on Swan Street which links Briggate with Lands Lane, close to the Victoria Quarter. They are located within a pedestrianised area with heavily restricted vehicle access and the closest  drop-off point would be on The Headrow.

The theatre is easily accessible by public transport. It is approximately 10 minutes walk from the main bus station and 15 minutes walk from the train station with many buses stopping in the immediate vicinity. For the most up to date information on local bus and train times, please check WYMetro.

For further information please see the theatre’s website



Nearby

 

  • Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House seats 1,550 at full capacity and Opera North and Northern Ballet Theatre have their residencies here.
  • West Yorkshire Play House opened in Leeds in 1990 and has since earned the reputation both nationally and internationally as one of the UK’s most exciting producing theatres.
  • Leeds Town Hall offers an annual music programme under the banner of Leeds International Concert Season in this Grade I listed building.
  • The Carriageworks in Leeds offers a more intimate performance space for the works of local artists and performers.
  • Alhambra Theatre in the heart of Bradford is a stunning Edwardian style music hall with regular performances from touring companies.
  • Royal Hall in Harrogate is a stunning Edwardian theatre dating from 1903 and has been recently restored.
  • Howard Assembly Rooms in Leeds is a new arts hub for the north - a special place where special things happen. With a diverse and far reaching programme, it is curated by award winning Opera North.
  • Theatre Royal Wakefield is famous for giving its visitors some of the best nights out in town.
  • York Theatre Royal is a unique mixture of historic and new theatre in the heart of York



Picture of images/theatres/Leeds_City_Varieties_Music_Hall/header_logo.png

City Varieties Music Hall

Swan Street
Leeds
West Yorkshire
LS1 6LW
England
Great Britain


Tel: +44 (0) 113 243 08 08


Facebook

Twitter

Website

City Varieties Music Hall has been one of the longest running music halls in the United Kingdom, running continuously since 1865. In 1762 the White Swan Inn opened on the current site of City Varieties and just five years later a small music room was added above the pub. In 1865, Charles Thornton bought the White Swan, rebuilt the pub and music room and rebranded the venue as ‘Thornton’s New Music Hall and Fashionable Lounge’ before later becoming the City Palace of Varieties with famous names such as Marie Lloyd, Lily Langtry, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini and Harry Lauder, Frankie Vaughn, Ken Dodd and Barry are among the artists who performed here.


The interior of City Varieties Music Hall is a long rectangle, with boxes separated by cast-iron columns along the sides at circle level. Today most of the Music Hall remains intact as it would have looked in 1865. Between 1953 and 1983, the theatre achieved national fame as the venue for the BBC television programme The Good Old Days. The venue still presents live "Good Old Days" music hall events in the spring and autumn, as well as pantomime and a regular programme of stand-up comedy and music concerts.


The City Varieties was granted Heritage Lottery funds to help with major refurbishment and restoration. The theatre closed for refurbishment in January 2009 and re-opened in September 2011 re-establishing the physical link between the Swan Inn and the theatre was re-established. The theatre now has 467 seats and hosts music, comedy and entertainment as well as the ever popular annual pantomime.

See The Theatres Trust Theatres Database ID 1840 City Varieties

 

See also: Arthur Lloyd Music Hall and History website

European Historic Theatres Day