U3A Theatre Group - open to all members
Registered charity - 1171722
The Theatre Group organises trips to a variety of productions at theatres around the region, mostly to Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, but sometimes further afield for something special. We try to offer a variety of genres, including dramas, dance, opera - but musicals are consistently our most popular trips. Current Theatre Group trips on offer are listed below, and you can see lists of previous trips in the links at the right of this screen.
All U3A members are welcome to join theatre trips, subject to availability. Members come on theatre trips on their own, with friends, and with partners. Before joining a trip for the first time we will need you to sign-up to the Theatre Group Terms and Conditions; to do this, see the 'Terms & Conditions & Sign-up' link on the right of the screen, email us (link below), or come to see us at one of the U3A monthly meetings. If you are interested in joining any of the trips listed below, please contact the Theatre Team by email or at the next monthly meeting. You can also ask to be added to the Theatre Group e-mailing list to receive our regular trip updates.
The Theatre Team: The theatre trips are organised by four volunteer Holme Valley U3A members - Pat Whalley, Andrea Goodall, Roger Lancaster and Linda Hollingworth. One of us takes the lead in organising a specific trip, and at least one of the team is usually at the monthly U3A meeting.
Organising the trips: To get good seats and sometimes a group discount, the Theatre Team has to plan trips well in advance. We usually reserve tickets at a range of prices to allow people a choice. Initially we will ask you to let us know if you are interested in joining a trip, without making a commitment or a payment. When the trip is confirmed we will ask you to pay for your theatre ticket/s and, usually, for the transport at the same time. Occasionally we may ask you to pay for transport nearer the time of the trip. Once we have paid the theatre for the tickets we are unable to offer refunds, but please check the 'Terms and Conditions' and 'Payment' links on the right of the screen for more information about finding replacements and cancellations.
Transport: we always organise transport from Holmfirth for these trips. This will often be by minibus (10-16 people), but when numbers allow we prefer to go by coach (minimum 30). Transport costs average at £10-£15pp return, depending on numbers. Smaller trips are occasionally arranged, with travel by shared car and/or train.
Email us at hvu3atheatre@gmail.com or just click here Theatre trips
CURRENT THEATRE TRIPS
BOOKING NOW
Although we currently have seven theatre trips planned between October 2024 and January 2025, they are all fully booked. These trips are listed below in 'Reserve List Only'. Do get in touch if you would like to be added to the Reserve List for any of them.
The Theatre Team may be arranging some more trips from February 2025.
RESERVE LIST ONLY - do get in touch if you would like to be on the reserve list for any of these trips, in case of a cancellation
The Magic Flute, performed by Opera North, Sat 5 Oct, 2.30pm, Leeds Grand
Enter an enchanted world and join Prince Tamino on his quest to rescue Pamina, daughter of the Queen of the Night, held captive by Sarastro, the Priest of the Sun.
Mozart’s miraculous music mixes popular songs with stirring choruses, arias of heart-melting beauty with dazzling vocal fireworks.
Travelling by minibus
Art (comedy), Thu 24 Oct, 2.00pm at Sheffield Lyceum
A seemingly simple purchase of contemporary art, an all-white painting, ignites a hilarious debate amongst three close friends. What begins as a light-hearted discussion about art quickly descends into a riotous exploration of the blurred lines between art and reality. This multi-award winning play is a razor sharp exploration of art, love and friendship.
Iqbal Khan (East is East, National Theatre and RSC Othello) directs a brand-new production of Yasmina Reza's fiendishly clever and hilariously funny play.
Travelling by minibus
The Book of Mormon (musical), Wed 6th Nov 2024 7.30pm at Bradford Alhambra
The reviews say that this musical is outrageous as well as entertaining, but be aware that there is strong language and adult themes. The story follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent to Africa, to a place about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get, in every way.
Travelling by coach
Matthew Bourne's ballet, Swan Lake, Thurs 28 Nov 2024 at 2pm, at the Lowry
Matthew Bourne’s audacious, rule-breaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago. It is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head. This is a major new revival for the next generation of dancers, and for audiences experiencing it for the first time.
Travelling by coach.
Come From Away (musical), The Lowry, Salford Quays, 12 Dec 2024 2.30pm
7,000 Stranded Passengers. One Small Town. A Remarkable True Story
This smash hit show shares the incredible real-life story of the 7,000 air passengers, from all over the world, who were grounded in Canada during the wake of 9/11 - and the small Newfoundland community that invited these ‘come from aways’ into their lives with open hearts.
Travelling by coach.
Love Life, a Broadway Musical by Kurt Weill, performed by Opera North, Sat 18 January, 2.30pm
In 1948 – the year of Love Life’s Broadway premiere – husband and wife Sam and Susan Cooper try to recall a time when their marriage was happy. They reckon it was in 1790… The show then follows the ups and downs of the Coopers’ family life through 150 turbulent years of American history, to paint the portrait of a marriage and of a nation. Kurt Weill collaborated with lyricist Alan Jay Lerner (of My Fair Lady fame) to anticipate the later innovations of Stephen Sondheim and pay tribute to the traditions of American popular music, in a score full of hummable show tunes and dazzlingly inventive orchestration.
Travelling by minibus
Chicago, the musical, Wed 29 January, 2.00pm at Sheffield Lyceum
A sexy, sassy score with one show-stopping song after another, Chicago has won many awards and had thousands of standing ovations. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her....
Travelling by minibus
POSSIBLE FUTURE THEATRE TRIPS - do let us know if you have any other suggestions. We may be able to offer more trips in 2025, although we only run trips where one of the Theatre Team wants to run the trip, and the dates and venue work for us.