What Is The New Life Class Music Theatre Show In Bradford About Ageing?

There's a brand-new show coming to Bradford, and it's a bit different. It's a music theatre piece called Life Class, and it's taking a look at something everyone goes through: getting older. But this isn't some boring lecture. It's a joyful, funny, and sometimes serious exploration of what it means to age, all happening as part of the massive Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture celebration.

Think of it as a story told through songs, art, and the real experiences of older people. It's one of those projects that mixes professional actors with local people to create something truly special for the city.

What's the story behind Life Class?

So, what's it actually about? The whole thing is set in a life drawing studio. That's a room where an artist, in this case a character named Alex (played by Alwyne Taylor), draws or paints a model. The model is her long-term partner, Billy (Tyrone Huggins), who poses while also writing in his journal. It's through this simple setup that their stories and narratives unfold. Every person's body tells a story, right? The lines on a face, the way someone stands - it all comes from a lifetime of experiences. This theatre piece uses the idea of drawing a person to explore those very stories.

Watching over them is another character, Cora (Tricia Kelly), who acts as a storyteller and guide. She helps lead the audience and the cast through the ups and downs of ageing, looking at both the funny and the beautiful sides of getting older. The show promises to take people into some unexpected places, all while being visually exciting with a cool digital landscape designed by Paul Slater (also known as Fabric Lenny). The fantastic set and costume design by Hannah Sibai will bring this unique world to life. It's a fresh way to talk about ageing, moving beyond stereotypes and showing the rich culture and history that older people carry with them.

More than just a play: music, art, and a community chorus

Life Class isn't your average play. It's a full-on music theatre production, which means music is a huge part of the storytelling. The original score was composed by Richard Taylor, and it will be performed live by brilliant musicians on piano, harp, and cello. Imagine the atmosphere that creates! But here's the really special part: the professional cast is joined on stage by a community chorus of 31 local people from Bradford, all aged over 60. This isn't just a gimmick; it's central to the whole idea of the show. These are real people, sharing a stage and their voices to tell a collective story about their generation's experiences.

This mix of professional and community performers is what makes these kinds of projects so powerful. The show is a celebration of creativity at any age, showing that making art and music isn't just for young people. It's about giving a platform to the voices of older people, whose stories are often overlooked. The entire production, supported by organisations like Arts Council England and the National Lottery, is a testament to the vibrant arts scene in Bradford and the importance of community involvement in the culture of the city.

Meet the people making it happen

A show like this needs a brilliant team, and Life Class has exactly that. It's written and directed by Alan Dix, an award-winning writer and the Artistic Director of a local company called 509 Arts. He worked with co-writer Mike Kenny to shape the narratives. Alan Dix explains the thinking behind the production:

"Life Class is a piece of work which looks at the human body and the landscape of its stories, drawing on conversations we've been having with older people in Bradford over the last 10 years. The play is a kaleidoscopic way of looking at ageing, including two people, Alex and Billy, an artist and a life model, navigating their way through old age and the things they encounter on the way."

He also touches on why a show about ageing is so important right now:

"As a nation, we're getting older. Society is having to shift and change and the rules and stereotypes about older people are changing too. A lot of today's older generation have been involved in very important fights for equality and rights, in Bradford and elsewhere. There's no reason why that should not continue as you get older - we have a right and a responsibility to bring our experiences together. The wealth of stories older people have is almost like a mineral, it's a resource."

The rest of the creative team includes musical director Mark Goggins and chorus director Em Whitfield Brooks, who have guided the wonderful cast and chorus. Their collective creativity is what shapes the entire experience.

Why this show matters for Bradford

This production is a key part of the Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture year. The City of Culture title is a big deal; it shines a spotlight on a city's unique arts and culture, bringing in visitors and creating loads of exciting events and activities for people who live there. While Bradford is famous for being one of the UK's youngest cities, a show that celebrates its older residents is a powerful statement. It shows that the City of Culture is for everyone, regardless of age. It's about bringing different generations and people together.

Shanaz Gulzar, the Creative Director for Bradford 2025, highlights this:

"Storytelling, music-making and creativity deserve to be part of everybody's life at all stages. With a community chorus of 31 older Bradfordians alongside the cast and musicians, this will be an unmissable, moving and timely new theatre work, raising the voices and sharing the experiences of the growing demographic of older people in our region and beyond."

The show is more than just entertainment. It's about representation, community, and sharing the kinds of stories that build a stronger, more connected culture for all people in the city.

Fancy a chat? The Cuppa T talks

The conversation doesn't stop when the curtain falls. To go along with the performances of Life Class, there will also be a series of free daytime panel talks called 'Cuppa T'. It's a great name, isn't it? These chats will happen right on the set of the show at the Loading Bay venue. They are designed to explore the themes of the play in more detail, looking at the ageing body, the experiences of older people, and the social impact of having an older population in Bradford and beyond.

These informal talks are fantastic opportunities for people to get together and discuss the ideas raised in the show. It's another example of how the City of Culture events are designed to get people thinking and talking. You can catch these panel talks at 3pm on Wednesday 8 and Friday 10 October.

How to get your tickets and all the details

Feeling inspired to see it? Getting tickets for Life Class is easy. The show runs from Friday 3 October to Sunday 12 October at Loading Bay, which is Bradford 2025's very own performance venue located at 1 Duke Street, Bradford, BD1 3QR. The show is about 75 minutes long, so it's a perfect length for an afternoon or evening out.

Here are the key details in one place:

• What: Life Class, a new music theatre production
• When: Friday 3 - Sunday 12 October, with various showtimes including matinees.
• Where: Loading Bay, 1 Duke Street, Bradford, BD1 3QR.
• Tickets: The pricing is 'Pay As You Feel', starting from just £2. This is to make sure as many people as possible can see it. Tickets are on sale now at www.bradford2025.co.uk.
• Accessibility: There are audio-described, captioned, and British Sign Language (BSL) interpreted performances available to ensure the theatre is accessible for more people.

This show is a fantastic opportunity to see something new, support local culture, and think about life from a different perspective. It's a highlight of the Bradford 2025 programme, celebrating the stories of the people who make the city what it is.