Loaded at Loading Bay
Bradford's pop-up venue Loading Bay, created in a former city centre warehouse as part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture, welcomes audiences back this year with a programme of live music, theatre, comedy, cabaret, dance, exhibitions, youth activity and artist development.
The programme places a strong emphasis on participation and creativity. During October half-term (October 26-30), Youth Performing Arts Training will give 11 to 17-year-olds the chance to explore drama, acting and performance through a week of workshops, led by trained professionals.
Alongside this, a six-month Make It Work mentorship programme will support global majority artists from across West Yorkshire by way of mentoring, training sessions, workshops and residencies as they develop new ideas for live performance.
Events to look out for include:
Radical Joy (October 9-December 20): a free exhibition exploring the world of street performance and outdoor arts.
How Soon is Now? (October 15-16): An Indie musical about mates, music and magic.
Palingenesis & Non-Ordinary Services (November 5): from Taiwanese contemporary dance company D_Antidote Production.
Kali Hub (November 28-29): a theatre development programme for female-and non-binary playwrights of South Asian heritage in Bradford, aged 18 and over. Four sessions will explore devising and collaborating, making work, climate dramaturgy, confidence and agency.
Meet the Hatter (December 18-20): combining dance with storytelling and visuals, a retelling of the Hatter from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, but with a twist.
Jenny Harris, director of programme at Bradford Culture Company said: “We created Loading Bay last year as a place to host incredible international work, boundary-pushing touring shows, contemporary music, live comedy and, most importantly, a space for the region’s artists to develop, and for audiences to discover brilliant work and to have fun. We can’t wait to welcome people back.
“This programme reflects everything Bradford Culture Company is: ambitious, welcoming, and rooted in our district. From giving young people their first experience of performing arts to supporting artists, to developing new work, quality live music, family shows and exhibitions, there is something here for everyone.”
Info and tickets here
