The Riley Theatre
Alice Hiley
The Riley Theatre at the Northern School for Contemporary Dance is Yorkshire’s largest dedicated dance house, hosting a year-round programme of dance and theatre events and performances.
The theatre offers audiences a unique space to see ground-breaking performances by professional visiting companies, emerging local artists as well as NSCD student showcases and community platforms. Guest companies and choreographers who have previously brought their work to the Riley Theatre stage include Candoco Dance Company, James Cousins Dance Company, Uchenna Dance and Black Box.
NSCD’s student performances have always packed the school’s Riley Theatre, delighting audiences and critics alike. The distinctive performance abilities of dancers trained at the school are developed through an intensive performance programme which involves the creation of new work on students by visiting professional choreographers, and regular opportunities for students to create and perform their own work.
The school also has its own postgraduate contemporary dance company, VERVE, which performs at the Riley Theatre and across the UK and Europe.
Situated in Chapeltown, Leeds, the Riley Theatre building was initially a working synagogue before being renovated by NSCD founding Principal Nadine Senior MBE in the 90s. The theatre is now Grade II listed and retains many of its original features, including a vaulted ceiling, carved pews and candelabra.
There’s a bar on-site serving a selection of snacks and drinks for both before the performance and during the interval. The venue is fully accessible, with seats dedicated for wheelchair users and discounts available for accompanying guests and carers.
The venue receives thousands of visitors every year. The Riley Theatre’s innovative programme aims to reflect the breadth of work made today, feeding into Leeds’ growing reputation as an international centre for dance. From professional touring companies to the choreographers and artists of the future, be prepared for incredible dance on your doorstep.
