6 days Ago
A GEM of Bradford that prides itself on bringing West End quality musicals to the city is in the running for a Telegraph & Argus award. The Alhambra Theatre is one of 10 finalists in our 2025 Best Indoor Family Entertainment venue competition. Nominations were made through our online voting platform, and they were whittled down to a shortlist of 10 – and we’re in the process of profiling each of the venues.
The Alhambra is well-known to generations of theatre lovers, and the T&A spoke to the general manager of Bradford Theatres, Adam Renton, for this profile. Adam Renton, General Manager of Bradford Theatres (Image: Bradford Theatres) He said: “It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team, and we’re happy to be recognised for providing exceptional, quality, family entertainment.” Adam added: "The Alhambra Theatre is a cultural constant for the people of Bradford.
“It’s more than just a venue; it’s a place where Bradford people have made memories and is often people’s first experience of arts and culture. “It plays a vital role in the cultural and social life of the city and creates lots of positive PR for Bradford, regionally and nationally.” London’s West End is seen as the pinnacle of theatre in the UK but The Alhambra has brought its fair share of major shows from the capital to Bradford over the years, including The Lion King , Wicked , and Billy Elliot .
Disney’s The Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre, London (Image: Catherine Ashmore) Disney's The Lion King UK & Ireland tour cast arrive at The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford ahead of opening night in March 2022 (Image: Disney) Adam, who has worked in Bradford Theatres’ venues for more than 20 years and programmes everything that comes into The Alhambra, explained how it matches what is offered in London. He said: "The Alhambra Theatre prides itself on bringing the same high-quality productions that you’d find in London’s West End. “We host a variety of shows from blockbuster musicals to cutting-edge contemporary dance, ensuring that our audiences get to enjoy top-tier performances right here in Bradford.
” The Alhambra has its own identity too, though, such as providing a stage for stalwart Billy Pearce over a number of decades, and 2025 has “already got off to a strong start and is shaping up to be a fantastic year”, according to Adam. Billy Pearce at The Alhambra (Image: Telegraph & Argus) He said: “We have the biggest shows touring the UK this year in Hamilton, Mary Poppins and Matilda. “Additionally, we also have some lovely family shows including The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, A Squash and a Squeeze and In the Night Garden: Live.
” He described The Alhambra as “one of the biggest draws into the city” that complements Bradford’s “rich array of attractions” by offering “world-class entertainment that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far”. Adam said: “Theatre remains popular because it offers a unique, immersive experience that you can’t get from other forms of entertainment. “It’s a chance to see stories come to life in real-time, you cannot replicate the energy of a live performance and the opportunity to connect with others in a shared experience.
" Wicked came to Bradford in 2024 (Image: Story House) And what would it mean to win the T&A’s award? Adam said: "Winning this award would be a huge boost for our team. “It would recognise them for all the hard work we’ve put into making the Alhambra Theatre a premier destination for family entertainment and inspire us to continue delivering unforgettable experiences.” Don’t miss out on the chance to vote for your chosen finalist by filling out the coupon in the Telegraph & Argus.
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