Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah Collection

The collection includes project files, scripts and publicity material for performances staged by Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah.

There are documents recording joint ventures between the theatre company and other organisations including West Yorkshire Playhouse. Video and digital recordings of some of the productions are also present. The printed publications relate to the productions and the history of Blah Blah Blah.

The collection contains photographs and evaluations of many of the productions.

The Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah is a Theatre in Education (TIE) company which was established in Harehills, East Leeds, in 1985 when it produced its first show, 'Battlefield'. The reception of this play was such that the Blahs undertook a youth centre tour. The company continues to tour to this day.

The key aim of Blah Blah Blah is to provide young people with participatory theatre in the form of workshops and classroom sessions which explore the use of language and ideas to support learning and engagement. The company has adapted several Shakespeare classics, such as 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'A Winter's Tale' for primary and high school children as well as commissioning numerous plays by playwrights including Mike Kenny and Mark Catley.

The theatre company celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2010 with Kenny's play 'Stuck', which was shortlisted for the Writer's Guild Best Children's Play, returning to the stage for a national tour.

Since its foundation Theatre Company Blah Blah Blah has taken part in several collaborations with the West Yorkshire Playhouse including its Christmas play 'Ho Ho Ho!' and also with Connecting Youth Culture in North Yorkshire. From 1985-1993, the company functioned as a partnership, since then it has gained charitable status and has been an Arts Council of England National Portfolio Organisation. In 2015, the actor Bill Nighy became the company's patron. The theatre continues to produce several plays and workshops a year for children and young people in West and North Yorkshire.

Some parts of this collection have not been listed in detail and access may be restricted under the Data Protection Act and other relevant legislation. Please consult the relevant part of the catalogue for specific details. Where a detailed record does not exist, please contact Special Collections. Upon receipt of your request, a member of the team will discuss your requirements with you and review relevant material accordingly.

Material in this collection is in copyright. Photocopies or digital images can only be supplied by the Library for research or private study within the terms of copyright legislation. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain the copyright holder's permission to reproduce for any other purpose. Guidance is available on tracing copyright status and ownership.