There Are No Beginnings, the first production in the Bramall Rock Void, a new theatre space created as part of the Playhouse’s £15.8m redevelopment, is now open at Leeds Playhouse.
Production images revealed today show the all-female company including Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Broadchurch, ITV), Tessa Parr (Road, Hamlet, Leeds Playhouse) Natalie Gavin (Line of Duty, Gentleman Jack, BBC) and newcomer Jesse Jones reclaiming a narrative so long left in the shadows.
Playing until 2 November, the production tells of four women living and working in the Leeds City Region at the time when the so-called ‘Yorkshire Ripper’ dominated the news headlines. Written by Charley Miles (Blackthorn, Leeds Playhouse) and designed byCamilla Clarke(Frogman, Curious Detective; Bad Roads, Victory Condition, B and Human Animals, Royal Court Theatre), it features a Reclaim the Night march to empower women in the city in the 1970s.
The all-female creative team is completed by Leeds Playhouse Associate Director Amy Leach, Lighting Designer Amy Mae, Composer & Sound Designer Charlotte Bickley, Assistant Director Sameena Hussain, Trainee Assistant Director, Audio Description Directors Vicky Ackroyd and Chloë Clarke and Casting Director Nadine Rennie.
Integrated audio description will feature as part of every performance. The Playhouse will also host its first ever Parent & Baby Performance, a relaxed version of the play for parents to enjoy with their infants (under a year old) alongside a series of post-show discussions to celebrate and amplify the work happening to support women in the city.
There Are No Beginnings, Leeds Playhouse, Bramall Rock Void
Friday 11 October – Saturday 2 November
Box office 0113 213 7700. Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk
Halfway 2 Nowhere 