Bradford Arts Centre’s February Blog

Hiya Love!

Things are getting busy again over here at Bradford Arts Centre as we look towards our Spring / Summer season. We have shows, workshops, classes, commissions and more, all ready for you to come and see. Grab your brew and a treat, and check out everything we got up to in February, and what’s coming up…

Upcoming Shows:

Our full Spring / Summer season is now available to book via our website, and we really do have something for everyone. From comedy nights, to family shows, contemporary dance to a night of incredible Qawwali, we’re also hosting an exciting launch of Kala Sangam Global! You can see the full line up on our website. Some of our shows are nearly sold out, so don’t miss your chance to book!

Kala Sangam Commission:

We are excited to announce that the Kala Sangam Commission for Indian classical performance work is now open. The £10,000 commission is to support an artist or company to develop a new piece of performance work that showcases the breadth and variety of Indian classical artforms. A piece that combines tradition with new ideas to challenge expectations and connects with audiences in new ways. We are looking for new work that has not previously been performed, but would welcome applications for work that has undergone some early research and development. You can find out more about the commission here.

Who Has Been In Our Space:

This week, we had Wrongsemble in our studios rehearsing for their upcoming show Rapunzel, coming to our theatre in April. Elvi Piper, Artistic Director of Wrongsemble, shares her experience of creating the show right here at Bradford Arts Centre.

“It’s been such a joy for us to use Bradford Arts Centre as the rehearsal home for our brand-new national touring show for families, Rapunzel, adapted from the brilliant Beth Woollvin picture book. The studios have been full of real creative play. There’s been a lot of laughter, climbing (safely), big physical exploration and bold imaginative choices as we’ve built this wild and heartfelt version of the story. It’s the kind of space that makes you feel able to take risks and really enjoy the process.

On a personal note, it’s been really special for me to be back in the building. I rehearsed here when the space first opened for Natalie Davies’ show ‘Bring it Back’ as part of Bradford 2025, and I remember thinking what an important creative home it would become for the city. When we were planning for Wrongsemble’s newest show, I knew this was where we needed to be. The building has a brilliant energy. It feels open, generous and rooted in community.

Being able to rehearse in the studios and then move into the theatre space to tech, the production has been invaluable. Seeing the world of Rapunzel grow to full scale in the theatre where it will meet audiences makes the whole process feel connected from start to finish.

We’re especially excited that after creating the show in the building, Rapunzel will be returning to Bradford Arts Centre on 2nd April as part of its national tour. It feels like a real full-circle moment to share the finished piece with Bradford audiences in the very place it was brought to life.

Thanks again for having us. It’s been a brilliant creative home for this show.”

You can book tickets for Rapunzel here.

Life Outside The Office:

Alex Corwin was down in Wales to watch the Six Nations. Sadly the Welsh team couldn’t hold on for a much needed win, but as ever the atmosphere at the stadium was amazing, especially the singing – the Bantams of the Opera choir could learn a thing or two from Welsh Rugby fans!

Fay spent a weekend away in Hornsea with her partner Karl and two dogs Nala and Ted. The weekend mainly consisted of walks on the beach, fish & chips and a drink in the pub.

Mo started Ramadan in February, his second Ramadan with his son Hamza. Its really special for him to be opening his fast with his family, while his little one joins in on all of the festivities. He loves waking up at 4am to the smell of cooking food from his wife while he sits with his baby.

BCB Update:

It has been a busy few weeks here at BCB. Our Step Up To The Mic! training – is an eight week course for women not currently in paid employment to come along and learn new skills, build confidence, meet other people and have fun making radio programmes. The course is in full swing and the team are gearing up towards International Women’s Day 2026. This International Women’s Day, on the 8th March, we broadcast a day of female focused broadcasting and we’re in full planning, prepping and producing mode for an exciting day. It was so great to have the Hear My Voice group, our project supporting refugees and asylum seekers tell their stories, broadcasting live for the first time. The programme is going to be live every second Thursday of the month from 1-2pm  so be sure to check that out. Finally, we’ve welcomed back our schools groups from Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy and the Pupil Voice project. They’ve been quick to get back into the swing of things with Rainbow producing a piece about life at school and Pupil Voice producing a 30 minute programme about the International Year of Reading programme.

Arts and Heritage Update:

To celebrate and share the Secret Life of Parkwood trail map, Keighley Creative held a ‘Walk In The Woods’ workshop in Keighley Market with illustrator Nicola Storr. Over 60 people got the opportunity to make a map of their own design, make and decorate magic wands to take into the woods with a copy of the map, and discover their own stories and secrets along the way! It was amazing to be able to continue sharing the artwork and see it become a resource for the people of Keighley to access one of their local green spaces in a creative way! To get your own copy of the map, head to the Arts and Heritage page on the Keighley Creative website, or pick one up at Keighley Creative or Bradford Arts Centre’s reception!