Theatre-based highlights of the year-long Bradford City Of Culture 2025 will include a large-scale outdoor theatrical event created by the district’s own magician, Steven Frayne - better known by his now-abandoned stage name, Dynamo - which will launch the celebrations on January 10-11.
Opera North will take up residency across the year, with an immersive sound walk featuring new music from three leading composers inspired by the music of Bradford-born composer Frederick Delius (from May). The Orchestra of Opera North will join forces with bassline musicians, singers and DJs for Bassline Symphony, singing and performance workshops in schools (year-round) and the company’s first ever performances of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra (April).
In July, dancer, choreographer and creator Akram Khan collaborates with Dance United Yorkshire for intergenerational project Memories of the Future, featuring 60 dancers drawn from communities across Bradford, inspired by Akram Khan's Jungle Book reimagined.
Also from July, Mike Kenny’s Olivier award-winning adaptation of E Nesbit’s The Railway Children will take place on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway line, a railway familiar to millions thanks to the film adaptations of the classic novel.
There will be tributes to Bradford-born playwright Andrea Dunbar (Rita, Sue and Bob Too), marking 45 years since the premiere of her first play, The Arbor, and 35 years since her tragically early death, with staged readings of selections from her works.
As well as celebrating a host of Bradford-born artists, writers, musicians, performers and local cultural organisations, the programme will also welcome national and international partners, with Bradford residents involved in many of the performances and activities. Many elements of the programme will be free.
From the UK’s first free school meals, a City of Sanctuary title and home to the UK’s only Peace Museum, the UK City of Culture will highlight Bradford as a forward-looking city of change. Bradford is demographically one of the youngest cities in the UK, with over a quarter of the population under the age of 20 and has one of the most diverse communities in the UK.
Bradford will be the fourth UK City of Culture, selected by the government in 2022 from a record-breaking 20 bids, following Derry~Londonderry (2013), Hull (2017) and Coventry (2021).
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