We’re delighted to announce that Animal Farm, our co-production with Stratford East, in association with Nottingham Playhouse, has been awarded Best Play Revival at the prestigious UK Theatre Awards.

Staged in spring 2025, Tatty Hennessy’s adaptation of George Orwell’s classic tale was a chilling and thought-provoking exploration of treachery and rebellion, offering a timely reminder of the dangers of unchecked power. In the year the novel celebrates its 80th anniversary, Director Amy Leach and Designer Hayley Grindle brought a fresh and compelling interpretation to the stage.

The awards ceremony took place on 12 October in London and was hosted by Steps singer and actor Faye Tozer. For over 30 years, the UK Theatre Awards have celebrated creative excellence and outstanding achievements on and off stage across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Our co-production of Animal Farm was also nominated as Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre at the Olivier Awards earlier this year.

Shawab Iqbal, Chief Executive of Leeds Playhouse said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that Animal Farm has won the UK Theatre Award for Best Play Revival. Built here in Leeds, directed by the brilliant Amy Leach, and co-produced with Theatre Royal Stratford East in association with Nottingham Playhouse, this production is a powerful example of what’s possible when creativity, ambition, and collaboration come together.

“Earlier this year, it was nominated for an Olivier Award, and this win reaffirms the national impact of theatre made in Leeds and West Yorkshire. We’re proud, and we’re carrying this energy forward into future productions.”

Amy and Hayley are currently in rehearsals for Leeds Playhouse’s festive production A Christmas Carol, starring stage and screen actor Reece Dinsdale as Scrooge alongside a glorious cast of actor-musicians. The production, which features original composed music and is set within the Yorkshire woollen industry, will light up Leeds Playhouse’s epic Quarry Theatre from 20 November 2025 – 17 January 2026.

Leeds Playhouse has enjoyed an incredible run of wins at the UK Theatre Awards. For three consecutive years, leading performers in Playhouse productions have been named Best Performer in a Musical and, in 2024, its production of Oliver! was named Best Musical. The Playhouse’s year-round warm welcome was also recognised in 2022, when it was named Most Welcoming Theatre.

We are also thrilled to have three further national nominations:

• Cash Holland – Best Supporting Female Actor in a Play at the Black British Theatre Awards for A Raisin in the Sun, our co-pro with Headlong, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse
• Sisters 360, our 2025 Community Tour show in association with Polka Theatre, AIK Productions & Turtle Key Arts – Best Stage Production at the Asian Media Awards
• Shobna Gulati – Outstanding Stage Performance at the Asian Media Awards for Through It All Together