BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS ANNOUNCED FOR CHRISTMAS 2021 AT LEEDS GRAND THEATRE
WORLD PREMIERE TOUR DIRECTED BY AWARD-WINNING THEATRE-MAKERS CANDICE EDMUNDS AND JAMIE HARRISON
The world premiere tour of Disney’s exciting new stage musical, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, will be ‘bobbing along’ to Leeds Grand Theatre in 2021 for a five-week Christmas run from Wednesday 8 December to Sunday 9 January 2022.
With songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats), including Portobello Road, The Age Of Not Believing, The Beautiful Briny, and a new book, music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and Brian Hill; Bedknobs and Broomsticks will be brought to life by award-winning theatre-makers Jamie Harrison (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) and Candice Edmunds.
Based on the books The Magic Bedknob; or, How to Become a Witch in Ten Easy Lessons (1943) and Bonfires and Broomsticks (1947) by English children’s author Mary Norton, and subsequently the 1971 Academy Award-winning film starring Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson, Bedknobs and Broomsticks tells the story of three orphaned children reluctantly evacuated from London to live with the mysterious Eglantine Price, a trainee witch!
The news of the tour follows the announcement that MAMMA MIA! will also make a welcome return to The Grand in 2023, following this year’s cancelled run due Covid-19.
In a year that has seen the arts and culture sector suffer exponentially because of the pandemic, it is the first time in The Grand’s 142-year history (bar refurbishment in 2005-6) that the venue will be closed at Christmas. Ordinarily at this time of year, the theatre would be playing host to resident company, Northern Ballet, and a major West End production; welcoming 1000s of patrons through its door.
As a result of closure and inability to generate earned revenue through ticket and secondary sales, the theatre is asking patrons, if financially possible, to help support its long-term survival by donating to its ‘Keep a seat warm this Christmas’ campaign, purchasing tickets to future shows or buying memberships, gift vouchers and merchandise.
Chris Blythe, CEO, said: “I know it is a huge ask, especially at Christmas, but I also know how much The Grand means to the people of Leeds and wider region. The support and generosity of our patrons this year has been overwhelming – both financially and emotionally. It is abundantly clear that arts and culture are needed now more than ever to help boost people’s mental health and build community through shared experience as we all try to find some escapism from our day-to-day and ongoing concerns for our futures.”
Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Wednesday 8 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022
MAMMA MIA! is at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 4 April to Saturday 15 April 2023
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call Box Office on 0113 243 0808
To support Leeds Heritage Theatres this Christmas, go to leedsheritagetheatres.com.