HomeArts & LifestyleCity Varieties Music Hall opens up for free event

City Varieties Music Hall opens up for free event

City Varieties Music Hall is set to open its doors to the public as part of Heritage Open Days later this month.

Built in 1865, City Varieties Music Hall is one of few surviving Victorian music halls still hosting shows and Sunday 11th September will see the esteemed venue celebrate its rich history through a Heritage Open Day, where members of the public are invited to explore the venue free of charge.

In its early years the Varieties welcomed many weird and wonderful acts including the world-renowned escapologist Harry Houdini, a young Charles Chaplin and a woman who hypnotised alligators.

Charles Chaplin (second left) as part of The Eight Lancashire Lads, who appeared at Leeds City Varieties.
Charles Chaplin (second left) as part of The Eight Lancashire Lads, who appeared at Leeds City Varieties.

This is the final event in City Varieties’ Summer Spectacular festival, which has featured various workshops for young people of all ages, a summer school and City Varieties Youth Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Addams Family.

There will be many family activities and entertainment throughout the entire day, including variety performances, heritage talks, dressing up, face painting, crafts, treasure trails, balloon modelling, stilt walkers, technical demonstrations, the opportunity to tread the boards, venture backstage and the chance to enjoy refreshments in the theatre’s Circle Bar.

City Varieties Music Hall Heritage Open Day is on Sunday September 11th from 10.30 – 4pm with last admission at 3.30pm. Entry is free and advance booking not necessary.

Further details of the day’s events are available in the downloadable flyer, which is available here.

Samuel Payne
Samuel Paynehttp://samuelpayne.weebly.com
Reviewer of Theatre in the North, including releases of classic film and television.

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