2021
Community Projects
A post-lockdown celebration – the bunting festival…
Many of you will have probably spotted the colourful, vibrant flags waving around Armley. These unique creations were part of the Bunting Festival and were made by people from our neighbourhood.
1984
Steve Byrne
Under the artistic direction of Steve Byrne a new way of presenting and making sensory theatre was developed. Interplay now undertake an annual 3 month national tour, enabling young people who experience sensory barriers to realise their potential by creating and experiencing the arts.
1984
A NEW HOME FOR SENSORY THEATRE
The company move into their new home in Armley, Leeds.
In 1984 Interplay took permanent residence in Christchurch Hall, Armley, it became a hub of research and development for creating sensory theatre and also provided community, theatre and film projects for the residents of West Leeds.
1970
THE JOURNEY BEGINS
A group of Leeds students get together to form a community-driven theatre collective.
Formed in the summer of 1970 Interplay was an initiative to create theatre for and with the communities of inner city Leeds. Creating work that was accessible, work that championed co operation, mutual action and interaction. The concept was the idea that for the arts to be relevant, it should be part of a community, away from big producing houses it should be created in the moment and involve audience and cast members alike.
A residency in Meanwood Park Hospital, to the east of the city, formed the idea of creating work for and with people with learning disabilities. Interplay soon received Arts Council England funding and became the first company to tour shows created specifically for audiences with additional needs on a national level.