Richard Ayoade is coming to Leeds Grand Theatre this December, bringing an evening built around his latest book, Afterthoughts, or Some Pistachios Won’t Open: Wisdom for the Unreflective. The BAFTA-winning actor, comedian, director and writer will share reflections and insights from the book on Wednesday 2 December 2026.
He’s one of three newly announced shows at Leeds Grand Theatre. On Sunday 1 November, House of Fun brings the sound and attitude of the UK’s two-tone and ska era back to the stage, running through hits from Madness, Bad Manners, The Beat, The Specials, The Selecter, The Bodysnatchers and more. Then, on Friday 4 December, Step into Christmas turns the theatre over to the festive season with a run of Christmas classics, backed by a live band and a full set of seasonal visuals.
Over at City Varieties, the newly announced line-up stretches from January 2027 through to next summer. Money for Nothing, billed as Europe’s number one Dire Straits tribute, opens the run on Sunday 31 January, followed by What Wood Victoria Do? on Sunday 18 April — a new show from the team behind Looking For Me Friend, built around The Victoria Wood Songbook. Sophie Duker brings her show Hot Beef Injection on Thursday 29 April, taking on hypermasculinity and the age-old “man or bear” debate, before Buena Vista Live takes the theatre through Havana’s music, from bolero to mambo, salsa and Son, on Saturday 22 May.
Political comedian Matt Forde follows with Project Holy Moly on Sunday 23 May, then Totally Gaga — starring Georgia Crandon — brings a full run through Lady Gaga’s biggest hits on Saturday 5 June, from Bad Romance and Just Dance to Shallow and Born This Way. The run closes with In the Air Tonight on Saturday 12 June, a live tribute spanning Phil Collins’s career from his Genesis years through his solo work.
Tickets for all the newly announced shows are on sale now via leedsheritagetheatres.com.
