Historic Leeds Theatres Featured in Film and TV Productions
December 30, 2025Leeds venues have played key roles in various screen productions
Leeds Heritage Theatres have been the backdrop for numerous film and television projects over the years, showcasing the city’s rich cultural and architectural heritage. From classic variety shows to contemporary dramas, several iconic venues in Leeds have hosted notable screen actors and productions, reflecting the city’s ongoing contribution to the arts and entertainment industries.
The Varieties Theatre
The Varieties Theatre, known for its long history of live entertainment, gained national recognition through the BBC’s The Good Old Days, which aired from 1953 for 30 years. The variety show featured performers such as Sir Ken Dodd, whose legacy is commemorated with the auditorium named in his honour and a mosaic installed at the venue.
In 1989, the theatre was used as a filming location for the mini-series Judith Krantz’s Till We Meet Again, where it represented an early 19th-century theatre in Dijon, France. The production featured actors Courteney Cox and Hugh Grant in early dramatic roles.
More recently, the venue appeared in the BBC’s Peaky Blinders, transforming into various settings including a Birmingham cinema and an opera house. The 2015 film Testament of Youth, starring Kit Harington and Alicia Vikander, also utilised the theatre as part of its World War I setting.
The Varieties has been featured in other productions such as the supernatural film Ghost Stories (2017) and the 2018 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The ABC Murders, starring John Malkovich and Rupert Grint.
Hyde Park Picture House
Hyde Park Picture House, a Grade II listed Edwardian cinema, first appeared on screen in the 1985 film Wetherby, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Judi Dench. The venue was also featured in the pilot of the TV series First of the Summer Wine (1988-89), and in the 2013 BBC drama The Great Train Robbery with Jim Broadbent.
In 2017, the cinema was a filming location for Funny Cow, a film about a comedian in 1970s Northern England, starring Paddy Considine and Maxine Peake. Jim Broadbent returned to Hyde Park Picture House for the 2020 film The Duke, alongside Helen Mirren.
More recently, the venue appeared in the 2025 music video for “Bang Bien” by Leeds-born DJ Nightmares on Wax, featuring animated depictions of local landmarks including Hyde Park Picture House.
The Grand Theatre and Other Filming
While there is no formal record of film or television productions shot at The Grand Theatre, it has hosted recordings of live comedy specials and performances over the past two decades. Notable shows filmed there include Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (2010), Harry Hill Live: Sausage Time (2013), and Derren Brown’s Infamous (2014).
Leeds’ Place in Film History
Leeds holds a significant place in cinema history as the location where Louis Le Prince created some of the world’s first films in 1888. The city’s heritage venues continue to be used in productions, often highlighting their historic features to add authenticity and atmosphere.
These venues not only preserve Leeds’ cultural heritage but also contribute to the city’s visibility in film and television, supporting its reputation as a centre for the creative industries.
