Theatres in Leicester

Walk preview

1. Step 1: This walk begins at the Town Hall in Town Hall Square. Tap on the icon in the bottom left corner of your screen to switch between map and text view.

2. Step 2: Unfortunately, this walk doesn’t pass the Sue Townsend Theatre on Upper Brown Street but you may wish to visit after this walk. Originally called the Phoenix Theatre, the 1963 building was meant to be a temporary theatre.

3. Step 3: Following the demolition of the Opera house in 1960, the theatre was a temporary solution until a permanent theatre could be established. However the Phoenix soon gained a reputation in the arts, attracting leading British actors.

4. Step 4: It served as the city’s main film, arts and experimental theatre complex well past its ‘expiry date’. The Phoenix Art Centre finally closed in 2009 and moved to Phoenix Square which we will visit later.

5. Step 5: The empty building was taken on by a group of organisations including Leicester College. In 2015 it was renamed the Sue Townsend Theatre to honour the Leicester author. Sue had worked as a writer in residence at the theatre.

6. Step 6: With your back to the Town Hall turn right and then right again onto Bishop Street.