Art, Exhibitions and Theatre You Won't Want to Miss in Yorkshire this Summer
Culture vultures, we've got your summer plans covered
NATURE’S EYE: JACI STROUD & JILLIAN JOHNSTON
21ST JULY–2ND AUGUST
The Station, Richmond
01748 828259
thestation.co.uk
This exhibition features paintings and portraits all inspired by nature and brings together the work of a mother and daughter. Jaci Stroud uses vibrant inks to capture moments in time and Jillian Johnston is a classically trained portrait artist who uses acrylics, oils and printmaking techniques. Side by side, this display of their work hopes to inspire creativity.
DRAWING IN THE DARK
UNTIL 26TH AUGUST
Art Gallery, Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, Doncaster
dglam.org.uk
Explore the largest ever exhibition of coalmining drawings by celebrated artist, Henry Moore. Henry Moore is famous for his sculpture and his drawings of Londoners sheltering from The Blitz. But it is often forgotten that Moore was the son of a coalminer from Castleford, Yorkshire. As a war artist, he developed a detailed series of drawings from sketches he made at the mine where his father had worked. Consisting of nearly 100 drawings, showcased alongside sculptures and other works-on-paper, this exhibition invites visitors to journey from quick pencil sketches, through developmental drawings, finished pieces and finally to later works inspired by Moore’s coalmining experience.
REFRAMING REYNOLDS
UNTIL 28TH AUGUST
Harewood House, Leeds
harewood.org
In the late 18th century, celebrated artist Sir Joshua Reynolds painted many portraits of the Lascelles family. Now, marking 300 years since his birth, Harewood is re-examining six of them to explore the artist’s innovative style. You’ll see works including Lady Worsley, Mrs Hale as Euphrosyne and Edwin Lascelles, the builder of Harewood. This exhibition also includes a specially designed family guide to help younger visitors learn about Reynolds and inspire them with portraiture.
METALWORK COLLECTION: THE CUTTING EDGE
UNTIL 3RD SEPTEMBER
Millennium Gallery, Sheffield
0114 278 2600
sheffieldmuseums.org.uk
Sheffield’s metalwork collection is famous for locally-designed and -crafted objects. The cutlery collection alone contains more than 10,000 items and this display will incorporate objects from Sheffield Museums’ industry and metalwork collections, showing off the amazing design, craft and skill used to create these cutting-edge tools.
200 YEARS OF COLLECTING
UNTIL 3RD DECEMBER
Whitby Museum
whitbymuseum.org.uk
Inside the museum today is a treasure trove of artefacts which offer an insight into the history of the coastal town, all the way from the Jurassic era to the present day – everything from fossils to model ships. But Whitby Museum might be best known for being the home of the Hand of Glory – the pickled hand of a hanged man, believed to have magical powers. This year the museum is celebrating its 200th birthday and a range of special bicentenary exhibitions are taking place. Visit 200 Years of Collecting in the exhibition gallery to see which objects have come into the museum collection over the years, together with a documentary film. Read our interview with trustee Colin Pyrah at livingnorth.com to find out more.
ERWIN WURM: TRAP OF THE Truth
FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2023
Underground Gallery, YSP, West Bretton
01924 832631
ysp.org.uk
Trap of the Truth is a mountain of an exhibition featuring more than 100 works, including 55 sculptures indoors, 19 sculptures in the YSP landscape, paintings, photographs, videos and drawings created over Erwin Wurm’s 30-year career. Many of these works will be shown for the first time. Erwin is one of Austria’s most prominent artists, and this exhibition will be accompanied by a programme of engagement activities centred around play, exploration of materials and experimentation.
ANNIE
10TH–15TH JULY
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
01274 432000 bradford-theatres.co.uk
The smash-hit production of Annie comes to Bradford for just one week direct from London’s West End, starring Craig Revel Horwood as Miss Hannigan. You’ll want to book tickets fast for this show before it sells out.
THRILLS ’N’ SPILLS: YORKSHIRE SPEEDWAY WITH ALAN BEADLE
12TH JULY
Red Brick, Square Chapel, Halifax
0343 208 6016
squarechapel.co.uk
Get on your bike and head to Square Chapel to trace the stories of the big four Yorkshire Speedway teams (Halifax, Bradford, Hull and Sheffield) and see video footage involving the world’s stars. Thrills ‘n’ Spills is a a celebration of the history of Speedway in our county.
AMERICAN IDIOT THE MUSICAL
14TH & 15TH JULY
The Leadmill, Sheffield
0114 272 7040
leadmill.co.uk
Johnny, Tunny and Will struggle to find meaning in a post-9/11 world and their friendships are challenged when Tunny joins the armed forces, Will is called back home, and Johnny’s attention is distracted by a love interest. This award-winning hit musical, Green Day’s American Idiot, features every song from the Grammy award-winning album, as well as songs from its follow-up release, 21st Century Breakdown.
SOVEREIGN
15TH–30TH JULY
York Theatre Royal
01904 623568
yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
It’s 1541 and a lawyer and his assistant await the arrival of Henry VIII in York. They’re tasked with a secret mission to protect a dangerous prisoner but when the murder of a York glazier threatens the Tudor dynasty, they’ve got to work fast to prevent disaster. Performed by a local cast and choir, this is community theatre on a grand scale, and the show will aptly be set outdoor in the grounds of the historic King’s Manor.
Read More: Comedy Nights and Gigs to Book Across Yorkshire
BLOOD BROTHERS
18TH–22ND JULY
Hull New Theatre
01482 300306
hulltheatres.co.uk
The multi-award winning Blood Brothers musical tells the tale of twins who were separated at birth and meet again, but with fateful consequences. Having been dubbed the ‘Standing Ovation Musical’, audiences are promised an outstanding evening of theatre when they see this show.
SOMEWHERE THE MUSICAL
25TH & 26TH JULY
St George’s Hall, Bradford
01274 432000
bradford-theatres.co.uk
Somewhere is a new musical written by Sarah Bishop with West End-worthy music by folk-pop duo The Dunwells and fellow Yorkshire-based singer-songwriters. It tells the story of the shattered Somewhere mirror and a prince and princess who have been kept apart since childhood by a wicked countess – it’s a unique take on all the stories we know and love.
42ND STREET
25TH–29TH JULY
Leeds Grand Theatre
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Starring Samantha Womack as Dorothy, Faye Tozer as Maggie and Les Dennis as Bert, Jonathan Church directs this all-singing, all-dancing spectacular featuring hit after hit including We’re In The Money, I Only Have Eyes For You and, of course, 42nd Street. Peggy arrives in New York City dreaming of seeing her name in lights and quickly catches the eye of a big-time director, landing a spot in Broadway’s newest show. When the leading lady gets injured, it’s Peggy’s chance to shine.
