Deciding which Leeds theatre to go to this month won’t be easy because the next few weeks are packed with unmissable West End hits, family-friendly shows and magical musicals. So before you buy your tickets, let us tell you what’s on at Leeds’ most legendary and little-known theatres.
Don’t forget to come back next month to find out what’s on, because we’ll be updating this guide monthly. And if you love songs on stage, check out our guide to the best musicals in Leeds over the next 12 months.
Shrek: The Musical
Everybody’s favourite ogre stomps onto the stage as Shrek: The Musical runs at Leeds Grand this April. Dive into the swamp and expect big laughs, bigger songs, and more fairytale chaos than you could shake a wand at. Whether you’re taking the kids or just reliving a childhood classic, it’s a feel-good show that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Shrek: The Musical is on at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th April 2026.
Punch
Inspired by a moving true story, Punch is a critically acclaimed production from writer James Graham that explores hope, humanity and the transformative power of redemption. The gripping stage drama follows the story of James Dunne, an average Nottingham teenager whose life is changed forever after one evening of violence, when a fatal punch lands him in prison. After serving his sentence, he’s released back into society with no sense of direction, until a meeting with his victim’s parents shifts his perspective in profound ways.
Punch is on at Leeds Playhouse from Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th April 2026.
Planet Omar
Credit: Steffi Njoya
Buckle up for the heart-warming family-friendly adventure that is Planet Omar. This brand new show takes you on a whirlwind journey as 8-year-old, British-Pakistani protagonist Omar learns to overcome a host of challenges after his family moves to a new neighbourhood. With the help from his loved ones and his wild imagination, he rises to the occasion in this joyful and vibrant tale that’s sure to put a smile on your face no matter your age.
Planet Omar is on at Leeds Playhouse from Tuesday 7th to Saturday 11th April 2026.
City of Mine
Credit: Mike Pinches
Community theatre group Heydays paint a proud portrait of Leeds in this emotive play that looks at the lives of the people that make this city great. From Briggate to Harehills, St. James to the Canal, City of Mine is a much-needed theatrical reminder that the vibrant spirit of our streets is upheld when all of us, volunteers, neighbours, workers and strangers alike, strive for harmony and treat each other with kindness and respect.
City of Mine is on at Leeds Playhouse on Wednesday 8th April 2026.
Holmes and Watson: The Curious Case of the Masqued Magician
Credit: Edward Felton
Magic, mystery, mayhem and more are what you can expect from the latest Holmes and Watson spectacular. Join the dynamic detective duo as they endeavour to crack the case of a disappeared magician who’d never seen again. Far from a trick, this vanishing act unravels a series of shocking events, delving into the underworld of the Edwardian illusionist scene to solve the case of the missing magician.
Holmes and Watson: The Curious Case of the Masqued Magician is on at City Varieties on Monday 13th April 2026.
The Constant Wife
Credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of The Constant Wife brings satire and social commentary to the stage in this sophisticated retelling of W. Somerset Maugham’s beloved comedy. EastEnders’ Kara Tointon stars as Constance, an unhappy housewife yearning to break free from her gilded cage in 1920s Britain. It’s fabulous, feminist and extremely funny, with witty writing and a jazzy soundtrack composed by multi-award-winning artist Jamie Cullam.
The Constant Wife is on at Leeds Grand Theatre from Tuesday 14th to Saturday 18th April 2026.
Rude Science
Gastronaut Stefan Gates’ revolutionary new show is science at its silliest, presenting an array of explosive experiments that will leave you and your little ones in equal parts amazed and amused. Expect outrageous stunts involving fart machines, giant whoopee cushions, snot cocktails and pee-powered fireworks in this curriculum-driven adventure that makes complex biology truly compelling.
Rude Science is on at Leeds Playhouse on Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th April 2026.
Black is the Colour of my Voice
Credit: Steve Ullathorne
If you’re a fan of Nina Simone, you won’t want to miss this one. The acclaimed show by playwright Apphia Campbell takes inspiration from the iconic singer’s life as it follows a young performer and civil rights activist as she reflects on her life after her father’s untimely death. Featuring many of Simone’s most beloved songs, it’s sure to hit you with emotion and rouse you to your feet by the final curtain.
Black is the Colour of my Voice is on at Leeds Playhouse on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th April 2026.
Frankie Goes to Bollywood
Prepare to be blown away by this culture-blending musical comedy that’s made big waves on its smash-hit UK tour. Bollywood glamour, infectious music and a punchy protagonist trying to take charge of her destiny– Frankie Goes to Bollywood has it all. You’ll be instantly enraptured by this bold and ambitious story, as a young British woman tries to find her footing in the male-dominated world of Bollywood. Can Frankie become a star without losing herself in the process?
Frankie Goes to Bollywood is on at Leeds Grand Theatre from Friday 24th to Saturday 25th April 2026.
Bus Stop Goths
A fantasy story with an alternative twist, Bus Stop Goths follows Sid and Viv, two Teesside archangels whose job is to watch over the bustling streets of Middlesbrough and all who occupy them. While delving into the sub-cultures and communities that keep the town ticking, they learn that it’s that those on the fringes of society are often the most interesting. This experimental play is an unhinged and hilarious celebration of outcasts, expression and identity that’ll move you to tears.
Bus Stop Goths is on at Slung Low at the Warehouse in Holbeck on Saturday 25th April 2026.
I, Daniel Blake
Following two sold-out runs I, Daniel Blake returns to the stage to give an intimate look at the real-life impact of poverty on the average Brit, at a time when it couldn’t be more relevant. The show zooms in on two main characters in Newcastle, carpenter Daniel Blake who’s healing after a heart attack and his new neighbour Katie, who’s moved up from London with her children in hopes of finding some stability. Together with their community, they must navigate adversity created by an economic system that’s working against them.
I, Daniel Blake is on at Leeds Playhouse from Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May 2026.
Cover image credit: Mihaela Bodlovic
