Registered charity - 1171722
The Theatre Group organises trips to a variety of productions at theatres around the region, mostly to Bradford, Halifax, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, but sometimes further afield for something special. We try to offer a variety of genres, including dramas, dance, opera - but musicals are consistently our most popular trips. Current Theatre Group trips on offer are listed below.
All U3A members are welcome to sign-up to the Theatre Group and join our theatre trips, subject to availability. Members come on theatre trips on their own, with friends, and with partners. If you are interested, all our current trips are listed below and you can ask to be added to the Theatre Group e-mailing list to receive our regular trip updates. For more information about the group, how to sign-up and how to join a trip please email the Theatre Team (via link below), or come to see us at our table at one of the U3A monthly meetings. Before joining a trip for the first time we will need you to sign-up to the Theatre Group Terms and Conditions. There are links at the bottom of this page to the 'Theatre Group Information', and the 'Theatre Group Terms and Conditions'.
The Theatre Team: The theatre trips are organised by four volunteer Holme Valley U3A members - Pat Whalley, Andrea Goodall, Roger Lancaster and Linda Hollingworth. One of us takes the lead in organising a specific trip, and at least one of the team is usually at the monthly U3A meeting.
Organising the trips: To get good seats and sometimes a group discount, the Theatre Team has to plan trips well in advance. We usually reserve tickets at a range of prices to allow people a choice. Initially we will ask you to let us know if you are interested in joining a trip, without making a commitment or a payment. When the trip is confirmed we will ask you to pay for your theatre ticket/s and, usually, for the transport at the same time. Occasionally we may ask you to pay for transport nearer the time of the trip. Once we have paid the theatre for the tickets we are unable to offer refunds, but please check the 'Terms and Conditions' and 'Payment' links on the right of the screen for more information about finding replacements and cancellations.
Transport: we always organise transport from Holmfirth for these trips. This will often be by minibus (10-16 people), but when numbers allow we prefer to go by coach (minimum 30). Transport costs average at £10-£15pp return, depending on numbers. Smaller trips are occasionally arranged, with travel by shared car and/or train.
Health, Safety and Risk Management: Please see the information at the bottom of this page
Email us at hvu3atheatre@gmail.com or just click here Theatre trips
CURRENT THEATRE TRIPS ON OFFER - in chronological order (see also the Reserve List information below):
1. Brassed Off (play with brass band music), Leeds Playhouse, 2 July 2026 , 1.30pm and 7.15pm (Roger) Because of the exceptional demand to see this show, we are arranging trips to two performances, the matinee and the evening – both on 2 July. Last chance to book for either performance. Payment is now due, but there are still a few seats available.
The heartening story of a community standing on the brink - where music becomes a defiant act of hope. Thirty years after the much-loved British film first struck a chord with audiences, Leeds Playhouse brings Brassed Off back to the stage.
The Play: In the heart of Yorkshire, the mining community of Grimley is under threat. The colliery faces closure, jobs are at stake, and with them the identity of a town and its people. At its heart is Danny, leading a band of brass playing miners who must find a way to keep their community spirit alive.
Enter Gloria, flugelhorn in hand, carrying both the past and the possibility of something new. As tensions rise, relationships change, and pressure mounts, the band battles to reach the National Championships at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Featuring live music from local brass bands, come and join this powerful celebration of courage, camaraderie, and the big brass spirit that refuses to be silenced.
Tickets: The Playhouse is a single tier theatre. Seats are £42.50 and £33.50 after a group discount, or £23 further to the side with no discount. If interested, please say what ticket/seat you would like.
Transport: by coach.
2. Jersey Boys (musical), Bradford Alhambra, Wed 29th Jul 2026, 7:30pm (Andrea)
Only a few seats left.
The Boys are back as the original Tony award-winning musical sensation returns for its 20th Anniversary Tour!
The Show: Step inside the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons in the true life musical phenomenon. They were just four guys from New Jersey - until they sang their first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard... and the radio just couldn't get enough of it. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story.
Tickets: Circle & Stalls £48, £53, £58, Upper Circle £35.50. If interested, please say what ticket/seat you would like.
Transport: This will be by coach.
3. Cole Porter’s High Society (Musical) Leeds Grand, Thursday 27 August 2026, 7.30pm. (Pat) Only a few seats left.
The Show: Helen George (Call the Midwife, The King and I) leads the 28-strong cast as glamorous socialite Tracy Lord in this lavish new production, where plans for the society wedding of the year descend into chaos, as old and new flames vie for attention, and a sharp-eyed tabloid reporter hunts for scandal at the waterfront estate.
Brought to life by a multi-award-winning creative team and with a score overflowing with the best of Cole Porter’s songbook including Just One Of Those Things, Let’s Misbehave, I Love Paris, Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?, Well Did You Evah?, True Love and many more.
Tickets: Seats in the Stalls and Dress Circle all at a group discounted price of £50.00.
Transport: will be by coach or by minibus, depending on final numbers
4. Emerald Storm (dance), Leeds Grand, Sun 20th Sep 2026, 7:30pm (Andrea)
Last few seats available.
If Riverdance and Stomp had a baby - it would be Emerald Storm
The Show: Fusing the fire of Irish dance with the grit of urban tap, this high octane production explodes with rhythm, passion and pure spectacle. Emerald Storm delivers thunderous footwork, heart-pounding choreography and a visual feast of movement that pulls you right into the storm.
Tickets: Circle & Stalls £37, £40, £42 If interested, please say what ticket/seat you would like.
Transport: will be by coach or by minibus, depending on final numbers
5. Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man (Ballet) Bradford Alhambra , Thursday 22 October 2026, 2.00pm (Pat)
The Show: Loosely based on Bizet’s ever-popular opera Carmen, The Car Man has one of the most thrilling and instantly recognisable scores in New Adventures’ repertoire. The familiar 19th Century cigarette Factory becomes a greasy 1950’s garage-diner in the American Mid-West where the dreams and passions of a small town are shattered by the arrival of an enigmatic stranger. Fuelled by heat and desire, the inhabitants are driven into an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge.
Bourne’s vivid storytelling combines with one of the most passionately dramatic scores ever written, with music by Terry Davies featuring Rodion Shchedrin’s Carmen Suite (after Bizet’s Carmen) to create a dance thriller like no other.
Tickets: Seats in Stalls or Dress Circle at discounted price of £50.50 or £44.50. If interested, please say what ticket/seat you would like.
Transport: This will be by coach or by minibus, depending on final numbers
6. A Little Night Music ( Musical) Manchester Royal Exchange, 16 December 2026, 2.30pm (Roger)
This trip is nearly fully booked and the reserve list is open.
Sondheim’s breathtaking classic, a life-affirming fairy-tale for adults.
We know it’s a long way ahead but early booking for this show is essential. So book now, put it in your diary, and we’ll remind you in six months time!
The Show: In Sondheim’s enchanting musical, set in turn-of-the-century Sweden, mismatched couples waltz through a series of self-delusions in search of a happy ending.
This lighter-than-air confection of romantic misfires and magical songs features Sondheim’s bittersweet masterpiece, ‘Send in the Clowns’. Old, young and middle-aged are equally determined and witty in this Tony award winning musical comedy. Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Tickets: The Royal Exchange is an in-the-round theatre with two galleries. Seats at Stage Level and front row of First Gallery are £53.55 (after group discount) with a few Second Gallery seats at £35.55.
Transport: This will be by coach, cost dependent on numbers.
RESERVE LISTS
Even when places on trips are all taken and the bookings finalised, we often get cancellations nearer the time. So, we take names for a Reserve List for each trip. Then if places do become available, we offer them to people on the Reserve List before we advertise them to the whole group. If there is a cancellation very close to the trip date, we sometimes offer the theatre ticket at a reduced rate.
POSSIBLE FUTURE THEATRE TRIPS - do let us know if you have any other suggestions. We may be able to offer more trips in 2025, although we only run trips where one of the Theatre Team wants to run the trip, and the dates and venue work for us.
Health, Safety and Risk Management: In line with U3A requirements and in the interests of health and safety, the Theatre Group has a Risk Assessment in place. You can request a copy of this document from the Theatre Team, but here is a summary of key points:
- Group Members are required to agree to the Theatre Group Terms and Conditions before joining any Theatre Group trip.
- Group members are expected to assess their own fitness (their health and safety) to join a trip, and while on the trip are expected to take responsibility for their own safety, and not act in a way which puts the safety or well-being of others at risk.
- Theatre Trip leaders are entitled to refuse to allow members to join a trip if they feel there is a health and safety risk.
- If an accident/incident occurs, the Trip Leader will use their own judgement and take appropriate action to manage the situation.
- There will always be a Lead Person on the transport who will have a copy of the ‘Trip List’ (the names, contact numbers, and an emergency contact number for everyone on the trip).
- Everyone on the trip will be given the mobile number of the Lead Person.
- The Lead Person will check names/numbers before outward/return departures.