Leeds Heritage Theatres Launches Spring Drama Workshops for Children

March 11, 2026 Off By

New term brings creative activities for young people

Leeds Heritage Theatres has announced a series of drama workshops and activities for children and young people this spring, continuing its LHT Unwrapped programme. The initiative offers opportunities for children aged 6 to 14 to engage with performance arts during school holidays, exploring themes through drama and creative play.

Recent activities explored mysteries and storytelling

Earlier this year, the LHT Unwrapped sessions focused on mystery themes. Children aged 6 to 11 participated in an immersive role-play at City Varieties Music Hall, where they acted as detectives searching for a missing tiara with imaginative powers. The activities included clue-finding and puzzle-solving to track down a character named Awful Ash.

Meanwhile, older participants aged 12 to 14 took part in a more intensive workshop, devising and performing a murder mystery play within a single day. Starting with a basic script at 10am, the group developed a full performance by 4.30pm, which was then shared with family and friends.

Previous sessions in October featured themed activities such as a ‘potion party’ for 6 to 8-year-olds using craft materials to create potions, mad scientist role-play for 9 to 11-year-olds involving costume design and creature creation, and an immersive Shakespeare workshop for 12 to 14-year-olds focused on the play Macbeth.

Upcoming spring workshops focus on fairytales and puppetry

In April 2026, the programme will include a week-long workshop for 9 to 11-year-olds centred on fairytales. Participants will explore classic and modern adaptations of well-known stories, examining themes, characters, and morals. They will collaborate to create and perform their own plays, which may involve re-telling traditional tales with contemporary twists or inventing new narratives.

Examples of possible reinterpretations mentioned include a modern office setting for Cinderella or a construction-themed version of the Three Little Pigs. The workshop aims to encourage teamwork and creativity, culminating in a performance for family and friends.

For younger children and those unable to attend the full week, a three-day “Playing with Puppets” workshop will be offered for ages 6 to 14. This course will cover different types of puppets, puppet-making techniques, and ways puppetry can enhance theatrical performance.

Part of a broader programme to engage families

These activities form part of the “Explore” season, a playful programme of film, performance, and hands-on events designed primarily for children aged 5 to 12. The events take place across several Leeds Heritage Theatres venues, including Leeds Grand Theatre, City Varieties Music Hall, Hyde Park Picture House, Howard Assembly Room, and Lower Briggate.

For further information about the school holiday activities or to book places, interested parties are encouraged to contact Leeds Heritage Theatres via learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com.