| Facts | The Electric Press (Grade II listed) was built in 1894 and was used as a printing works. Stansfield Chambers (Grade II listed) were built in 1848 and originally housed the West Riding Carriage Manufactory. Portland Chambers were built towards the end of the nineteenth century. The new development will feature a mix of commercial and arts facilities. At ground floor level a range of cafés and bars will be grouped in the historic courtyard with the Carriageworks Theatre overlooking the courtyard from the first floor. The Leeds Civic Theatre, which was housed within the Leeds Institute building, has now closed. Major work will commence to convert the building into the new city museum for Leeds opening in 2008. |
Set on the first floor level of the Electric Press development on Millennium Square, the theatre will provide a range of entertainment from regional professional and amateur dramatics to film, dance, and community arts. With two performance spaces seating 350 and 80 people, The Carriageworks will serve as a platform for local talent and will be the new home of Leeds Civic Arts Guild, a group of local performing societies who will provide a continuous programme of plays, musicals, comedy, opera and youth performances.
 | | The Carriageworks' retractable seating |
The design of the theatre is state-of-the-art, including a revolutionary seating system in which a large section of the main seating area can be pulled back to alter the performing space. The new venue will also house cafés and bars on each level, conference rooms for rent and rehearsal space with the best technical facilities to aid theatre groups from the professionals to school groups.
 | | View from the Carriageworks |
Alongside the Civic Arts Guild performances will be a range of events, productions and workshops, including performances by recent Leeds theatre graduates and regional performing companies. The Carriageworks will also provide an additional venue for the Leeds International Film Festival and Leeds International Concert Season. Andrew MacGill is Head of Arts & Events for Leeds City Council and he believes The Carriageworks will play a vital role in Leeds' cultural life:
"I think we now have the final piece in the jigsaw. The Carriageworks will complement Leeds' other theatres promoting a range of events and it will also become a vital resource for arts and community groups in the city." Coming up: Tuesday 15 November – Saturday 19 November 2005
7pm (Saturday matinee - 2pm)
"The Ideal Gnome Expedition"
Leeds Children’s Theatre celebrates its 70th anniversary with this musical play.
Location: Main Auditorium
Thursday 17 November – Saturday 19 November 2005
7.30pm
"Educating Rita"
Leeds Art Theatre presents Willy Russell's evergreen favourite.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Sunday 20 November 2005
8pm
"Scarred"
Projects the audience into the internal world of someone who self-harms through physical theatre, monologues, dance and discussion.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Wednesday 23 November – Saturday 26 November 2005
"Little Shop of Horrors"
Schlock-horror musical
Location: Main Auditorium Thursday 24 November – Saturday 26 November 2005
"There’ll Be Bluebirds"
Bluebirds presents a nostalgic look at the war years of the 1940s.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Wednesday 30 November – Saturday 3 December 2005
7.30pm
"Two" by Jim Cartwright
A sharp, salty and quick fire representation of the surface jollity and underlying melancholy underlying English pub life.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Saturday 3 December 2005 – Saturday 7 January 2006
"Cinderella"
All the much loved characters combined with lavish costumes and stage sets together with real Shetland ponies in this panto.
Location: Main Auditorium Monday 5 December – Wednesday 7 December 2006
7.30pm
"Our Country’s Good"
Darkly humorous play knitted together by redemption, justice, class and language.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Friday 9 December & Saturday 10 December 2005
8pm
"The Pelican"
An adaptation of Strindberg’s classic 19th century chamber play.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Thursday 15 December – Saturday 17 December 2005
"Into the War Zone"
A powerful tragic-comedy about the war in Iraq.
Location: Upstairs@TheCarriageworks Tuesday 17 January – Saturday 28 January 2006
"Mother Goose"
A classical fun-packed family pantomime!
Location: Main Auditorium | 
