Leeds, Live it, Love it > Students

When people think of Leeds, their first thoughts might go to the obvious — a vibrant music scene, or the rapidly expanding property and finance sector. They might not be aware, however, of the rich and successful artistic vein running through the city’s history.

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When people think of Leeds, their first thoughts might go to the obvious — a vibrant music scene, or the rapidly expanding property and finance sector. They might not be aware, however, of the rich and successful artistic vein running through the city’s history.

Sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth were born nearby and studied at the Leeds School of Art, while Damien Hirst, whose recent work For The Love of God sold for £50 million, moved to Leeds as a child and studied at the Leeds College of Art and Design. Peter O’Toole — eight-time Oscar nominee and star of Lawrence of Arabia — grew up in Leeds, as did playwright Alan Bennett, Julian Barratt of ‘The Mighty Boosh’, and actor John Simm. The League of Gentlemen met whilst studying at the University of Leeds. Locally born actor and musician Sam Riley recently made his name playing Ian Curtis in the Joy Divison biopic Control, gaining a BAFTA nomination in the process.

The city is a breeding ground for artistry of all kinds. So it’s no surprise that there’s so much for culture-lovers to enjoy. What’s more, with quick and efficient transport services, less time wasted on the daily commute and a more integrated lifestyle, you’ll find it easier than ever to enjoy these cultural attractions without missing out on all the vibrant opportunities elsewhere in the city.

The biggest producing theatre outside of London and Stratford, the West Yorkshire Playhouse was first to put on the Olivier Award-winning The 39 Steps and the original Bad Girls: The Musical, now a hit in the West End. For those with families, their Christmas shows Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe have all enjoyed sellout runs. Leeds Grand has all the quintessential charm of an old-fashioned theatre, with its plush red seats and golden pillars, whilst York Theatre Royal and the Bradford Alhambra are a half hour journey by car or train.

Leeds has no shortage of wall space when it comes to art — as well as dozens of private galleries around the city. Leeds City Art Gallery has recently undergone a £1.5m refurbishment, and contains works by Turner, Moore, Hepworth and Stanley Spencer as well as pieces from the likes of David Shrigley. No wonder The Times called it the best collection of 20th century British art outside London.

The café in the recently restored Victorian Tiled Hall is perfect for a quiet afternoon tea once you’ve taken in the view, while the Henry Moore Institute and the Craft Centre and Design Gallery are just next door. The Leeds Met Gallery also shows work by exciting new artists in their premises by the university.

Leeds International Concert Season is run by the council and is the largest local authority music progamme in the UK, presenting more than 200 concerts in and around the city each year.

Leeds is also home to the internationally-renowned Opera North, whose productions of famous works like Madame Butterfly have been given four-star ratings by The Guardian and played to packed-out audiences in London. Northern Ballet Theatre also operates out of the city, whilst the Leeds College of Music has a concert season that attracts the likes of Jamie Cullum and Mercury nominees Polar Bear.

Phoenix Dance Theatre, established in Leeds over 25 years ago, is now recognized as one of Britain’s leading contemporary dance companies. The new Olivier Award-winning artistic director and choreographer Javier De Frutos is well known for his adventurous and challenging attitude to dance, so it is little surprise the New York Times described their 2007 tour of Harmonica Breakdown as a ‘tour de force’.

Whether it’s jazz, classical, opera, art, serious theatre or family shows that you’re after, Leeds has it all. With such a wealth of places to visit, it’s only natural that the city has become the adopted home of so many artists and art-lovers alike.

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