About Us
A registered charity (No. 510693), Lawrence Batley Theatre is in the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. We believe in the power of live performance to bring people together, spark imagination, and strengthen communities.
From our home in a historic Grade II* listed building in West Yorkshire, we bring world-class shows to audiences on their doorstep, champion outstanding home-grown talent, and provide a welcoming space for everyone in our community.
We have lots of different spaces in our venue including: the Main Auditorium, which seats 461 people; the Cellar Theatre, with space for up to 120; and the more intimate Attic Theatre, which seats up to 60. Alongside these, we also offer flexible spaces for workshops, meetings, and community events as well as our bar.
At Lawrence Batley Theatre, we make magic happen.
Each year we host over 450 performances, workshops and events. More than 70,000 people enjoy our annual programme both in our theatre and within the community.
We champion outstanding home-grown talent.
We’re proud to support creative Northern voices. Our Artist in Development programme gives artists the space and support to take risks, grow new ideas, and take their work to the next level. Through our Young Company, we help the next generation of Kirklees creatives build skills, confidence, and a lifelong passion for theatre.
"Coming to Lawrence Batley and just having my world open to lots of different styles of performance and lots of different things I think it's helped me become the kind of individual artist that I am now."
We bring world-class shows to Huddersfield.
From enchanting family favourites to laugh-out-loud comedy and powerful drama to breath-taking contemporary dance and beyond. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a lifelong theatre lover, our exciting and diverse year-round programme offers something for everyone.
But we’re more than a stage. We’re a home for creativity.
We are a welcoming place for our community.
We believe theatre should be welcoming, inclusive and accessible to all. Whether you’re taking part in a workshop, catching your first show, or volunteering as part of our team, you’ll find a space that’s friendly, open, and full of possibility.
As a proud Theatre of Sanctuary, we actively welcome refugees and people seeking sanctuary into our space, our work, and our audiences.
Find out more about
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What's On
Discover brilliant live performance at Lawrence Batley Theatre.
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Get Involved
Take part in creative workshops, join our Young Company, or explore how you can connect with us behind the scenes.
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Support Us
Help us continue to make an impact in Huddersfield.
Community is at the heart of what we do here at Lawrence Batley Theatre.
Over 3,000 local people each year enjoy our creative sessions. Our sessions nurture confidence and promote pride in the community.
We work with schools, run a term-time youth theatre, and offer a wide range of other inclusive creative activities for young people across Kirklees.
Through this work, we engage hundreds of local children and young people, helping them build confidence, express themselves, and explore their creativity.
Each year thousands of young dancers and children who love to act, take to our stage and experience the magic of performing to their friends and families for the very first time.
Research has shown that engaging in arts activities can have a profound positive impact on young people's mental health.
"I'm normally a quiet anxious person, I suffer with various mental health stuff. But as soon as I get into KYTE it kind of just all goes away. I'm not scared to be myself."
Every year lots of local people, of all ages, from across Kirklees perform on the main stage in our annual community production. Created by a team of professionals, the local performers take part in auditions, join us for months of rehearsal and then take to the stage for a series of performances. Tickets to see the show are kept at a low price and it is free to participate.
"I love being on the main stage because it makes me feel like I'm flying"
We’re passionate about championing local, Northern voices, working with artists to tell new stories that entertain, inspire, and connect with our audience.
Our artist support goes beyond the stage. We provide vital rehearsal space, offer commissions for new work, and create meaningful opportunities for artists to connect with our audiences and communities. Whether it’s sharing stories, exploring creativity, or supporting their journeys in other ways, we’re proud to play a part in developing the next generation of creative talent - both locally and nationally.
Find out more about
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Our Programme & Artists
Our Associate Artists are mid-career or established artists and companies who are making nationally and internationally touring work. Our current Associate Artists Gary Clarke and Philip Stokes.
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Artists in Development
Our Artists in Development programme is designed to nurture and empower local artists and companies, providing them with the space, time and support they need to develop brave and exciting new ideas.
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Blog
Find out all the latest Lawrence Batley Theatre updates.
Lawrence Batley Theatre is run by a passionate team of arts professionals, volunteers and freelance artists, supported by a committed board of trustees.
From front of house to backstage, we are united by a shared belief in the following values:
We make an impact - What we do makes a difference to people’s lives every day.
We are proud - We are a theatre with a heart and we are proud of our people and our place.
We are creative - We are imaginative and we have a creative approach to everything.
We are inclusive - Everyone belongs here. No matter their age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation or personal circumstance.
We have integrity - We are trustworthy and honest. We strive to be an ethical and sustainable organisation. We do the right thing.
Discover more
We rely on your generous support to ensure that we can bring the magic of theatre to local people.
As a registered charity, we can only continue to make an impact in Huddersfield thanks to support from people like you.
From bringing world-class performances to Huddersfield to working with local schools, every part of our impact is rooted in support from our community.
Your support helps us keep ticket prices affordable, deliver free and low-cost creative opportunities for young people, work with local schools, artists, and community organisations across Kirklees and more.
It also helps us support the next generation of talent through our Artist in Development and Young Company programmes, and ensures our theatre remains a welcoming, accessible and inclusive space for all.
Whether you donate, become a Member, sponsor an event or give your time as a volunteer, you’re helping us make a real difference right here in our community. Support us today.
