Leeds Beckett Theatre Students to Make their Mark with Free Public Performance at Kirkgate Market
Theatre students from Leeds Beckett University’s Leeds School of Arts are taking to the heart of the city with a powerful new performance on Thursday May 1st 2025 exploring protest, politics and the idea of home – and it’s completely free to attend.
The House is on Fire, created and performed by level 5 students on the BA (Hons) Theatre and Performance course at Leeds School of Arts, will be staged on the Market Kitchen Performance Stage at Leeds Kirkgate Market on Thursday May, with two pop-up performances at 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
Devised as part of the students’ Performance, Protest and Politics module, the improvised piece draws on research and reflection on global and local issues. Themes explored include homelessness, displacement, ecological crisis and the emotional complexities of home and family.
Presented in collaboration with Leeds-based homeless charity Simon on the Streets, the performance aims to amplify voices often left out of mainstream conversation and highlight the growing need for compassion and action in our communities.
Dr Gillian Dyson, Senior Lecturer in Performance at Leeds Beckett University said: “It’s great to work with students in this way – really getting our teeth into issues and ideas. The group benefit hugely from the opportunity to present their ideas to a passing public audience and dealing with the challenges of a public space such as Kirkgate Market. Individuals have chance to develop physical theatre, oratory and visual skills. Not only have students developed their independent ideas through a process of co-creation in studio, but they have also heard from local professional theatre companies, from activists and artists who brought real world experience to their learning. We have also heard from the team at Simon on the Streets, who brought us stories of what it means to be homeless.”
The event is open to everyone, and the university is inviting shoppers, workers and passers-by to pause and experience a bold, thought-provoking performance right in the middle of the city.
