Since opening in March 1990, West Yorkshire Playhouse has established a reputation both nationally and internationally as one of Britain's most exciting producing theatres, winning awards for everything from its productions to its customer service.

Ian Brown, appointed Artistic Director and Chief Executive in 2002, following the 12-year tenure of Jude Kelly, has continued to develop the largest regional repertory theatre outside of London and Stratford, realising one of the most expansive and vibrant artistic policies in the country.

Find out more about Ian Brown...

The West Yorkshire Playhouse complex comprises: The Quarry Theatre (750 seats), The Courtyard Theatre (350 seats) a CAMRA award-winning bar, a restaurant, The Newlyn Gallery, two function rooms (The Congreve Room and The Priestley Room), three rehearsal spaces, a recording studio, extensive technical workshops, dressing rooms, a Costume Hire department, a Cyber Café and offices for production, administrative and artistic teams.

The Playhouse provides both a thriving focal point for the communities of West Yorkshire, and theatre of the highest standard for audiences throughout the region and beyond. West Yorkshire Playhouse produces 16 of its own shows each year in its two auditoria, approximately a third of which are world or British premieres. It stages over 1000 performances, workshops, readings and community events, watched by over 250,000 people, while countless others use the building as a meeting place for business and pleasure.

Funding for the Playhouse comes from Arts Council England (£1,100,000), Leeds City Council (£820,000), Leeds Education Authority (£84,000) and West Yorkshire Grants (£97,000). The Playhouse has over twenty-five corporate members in its Directors' Club including Evans property group, Carlsberg Tetley, Yorkshire Post, ITV Yorkshire and Leeds Metropolitan University.