Help Us Make Bradford Playhouse Accessible!
We’re raising funds to make Bradford Playhouse a fully inclusive venue for everyone. Our project will install a lift to improve access to the bar, box office, and accessible seating, add new front-of-house toilets, and make exterior upgrades. These improvements will ensure everyone can enjoy the theatre, regardless of mobility challenges, while preserving our venue’s historic charm.
With your support, we’ll create a welcoming space for all and leave a lasting legacy for bradford. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will help us bring this vision to life.
Support the campaign and be part of the Playhouse’s future!
Our Plans
A Transformative Accessibility Project
Bradford Playhouse is embarking on a transformative accessibility project to ensure that this historic venue remains open and welcoming to all members of the community. Working closely with Bradford 2025, the Playhouse has secured planning permission for a series of vital upgrades that will enhance accessibility while preserving the venue’s unique character.
The accessibility improvements include the installation of a lift from street level to the bar, box office, and accessible seating in the auditorium. This will provide greater access for both wheelchair users and patrons with mobility difficulties, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the magic of live theatre. Additionally, the project will include the installation of new front-of-house toilets and necessary exterior upgrades to improve the overall accessibility and appearance of the venue.
These upgrades will not only make Bradford Playhouse a more inclusive venue, but they will also ensure that the Playhouse remains a vibrant and sustainable hub for arts and culture in Bradford for generations to come.
A Collaborative Effort with Bradford 2025
With the support of Bradford 2025, we are proud to be working to improve access.
Daniel Bates, Executive Director of Bradford City of Culture 2025 said, "We have been working with the team at Bradford Playhouse for the last 12 months on a scheme to improve access to the Playhouse, and we are thrilled that they have now gained planning permission for the works. We are now working hard with the Playhouse to secure the funding to make the improvements, so the Playhouse will be accessible in 2025 – another great City of Culture legacy."
How You Can Help
To make these improvements a reality, we are launching a crowdfunding campaign. Your support will directly contribute to making the Playhouse a more inclusive, welcoming space for everyone in the community. Whether you donate a little or a lot, your contribution will help bring this vision to life and secure the Playhouse’s legacy as a cultural hub for years to come.
Join us in preserving the Playhouse’s historic charm while ensuring it remains accessible to all. Together, we can create a venue that is welcoming and inclusive to everyone, regardless of their abilities.
More Than Just Donations - Lend a Hand
We know times are tough, and not everyone can afford to donate right now. While we’d absolutely love your support in raising the funds needed for this project, we also know that generosity comes in many forms. If you’re unable to contribute financially but still want to help, why not lend us your time and skills?
Once the major accessibility upgrades are complete, we’ll need an extra set of hands to help with the finishing touches – whether that’s tidying up, adding a fresh coat of paint, or lending your DIY skills to some final cosmetic improvements. Every bit of help, big or small, will make a difference in getting the Playhouse ready for everyone to enjoy. If you’d like to get involved, keep an eye out for future volunteer opportunities or drop us a message to let us know you’re interested!
More about The Bradford Playhouse
A Legacy of Theatre and a Vision for the Future
Bradford Playhouse, known for its enduring charm and rich history, has been at the heart of the city’s cultural life for nearly a century. The venue's roots date back to the 1920s, when the original Jowett Hall, located on the same site, tragically burned down. With the support of public donations, the building was rebuilt in the 1930s, and it is this historic structure that stands today as Bradford Playhouse.
Over the years, the Playhouse has served as a beloved venue for both local and touring performances, creating memories for generations of theatre-goers. The building has strong ties to some of the region’s most important figures in theatre, including the renowned playwright J.B. Priestley, who founded the Bradford Playhouse Theatre group with his sister Winifred Priestley, best known for works such as The Good Companions (1929) and An Inspector Calls (1945), was an outspoken social commentator and an advocate for arts and culture in Bradford. His influence on the city's theatre scene, particularly the Playhouse, has been lasting and profound.
The Playhouse also holds a special place in the story of Percy Monkman, an actor, painter, and entertainer born in Bradford. Monkman was deeply involved in the city’s arts community, including organizing over 400 concert performances by the Bradford Civic Playhouse Concert group during World War II and contributing to many local theatre productions, both onstage and off. His work in the theatre, along with his artistic career, left a lasting imprint on the region's cultural landscape.
Another key figure in Bradford Playhouse's history is Esme Church, a pioneering theatre director and actress. Church was appointed artistic director of Bradford Playhouse in 1944, and it was under her leadership that the Northern Theatre School was founded in the 1940s. The school quickly gained a reputation for training many successful actors, including Tom Bell, William Gaunt, Billie Whitelaw, and Robert Stephens. Her legacy continues to shape the Playhouse's role in developing and supporting local talent.
What we do now
A Decade of Transformation: Bradford Playhouse and Its Unbreakable Community
Over the last decade, Bradford Playhouse has undergone an extraordinary transformation, cementing its place as a beloved hub for theatre, arts, and community connection. Through triumphs and challenges, the Playhouse has remained steadfast in its mission – to make theatre accessible, affordable, and of the highest quality. But none of this would have been possible without the incredible people who keep it alive: the dedicated volunteers who give their time and passion, the performers who fill our stage with magic, and the loyal audiences who return time and time again, proving that live theatre is at the heart of Bradford.
A key turning point came when Purple Stage Theatres took over management, bringing fresh leadership and a renewed commitment to high-quality productions. The Playhouse became more inclusive than ever, welcoming performers, creatives, and audiences from all walks of life. Stronger relationships with local theatre companies, independent artists, and touring productions enriched the Playhouse’s programming, ensuring a diverse, exciting, and ever-evolving cultural offering.
The theatre flourished, hosting everything from gripping dramas and classic musicals to stand-up comedy, live music, and groundbreaking independent theatre. Annual traditions, particularly the much-loved pantomimes, grew into record-breaking successes, filling the auditorium with laughter and joy, and becoming an unmissable highlight of the festive season.
But, like many arts venues, the Playhouse faced one of its toughest challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forced to close its doors, the theatre’s future was uncertain. Yet, the Bradford community refused to let it fade. Through unwavering support, donations, and a shared belief in the power of the arts, the Playhouse found ways to keep engaging with audiences online, while using the downtime to make key improvements. When the curtains finally rose again, it was not just a reopening – it was a powerful reminder of what this theatre means to the people who love it.
In recent years, the Playhouse has continued to thrive, welcoming growing audiences, expanding its programming, and strengthening its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Comedy nights, touring theatre, and independent productions have flourished, while deepening ties with Bradford’s creative scene have reinforced its place as a vital cultural landmark.
Now, as we look to the future, the Playhouse stands on the brink of another exciting chapter. With ambitious plans for accessibility improvements, expanded outreach projects, and new artistic collaborations, the next decade promises even greater things. And just as it always has, this theatre will continue to be powered by the passion of its volunteers, the talent of its performers, and the unshakable support of its audiences.
Bradford Playhouse belongs to everyone. It is more than a venue – it is a home for storytelling, creativity, and community. And with your support, its future is brighter than ever.