ABOUT US
Northern Broadsides is a theatre company based in Halifax, West Yorkshire. We create bold, accessible, and irreverent shows and inspiring creative engagement programmes.
We are well-known for producing classic and new plays that resonate with contemporary audiences while celebrating the cultural landscape and diverse voices of the North of England. For over 32 years, Northern Broadsides has toured extensively across the UK and internationally, bringing high-quality theatre to audiences everywhere.
Recently, the company toured J.M. Barrie’s Quality Street (2023); a regency rom-com that inspired the name of the famous chocolates, and a bold, refreshing interpretation of William Shakespeare’s As You Like It (2022).
Read about our Awards
2017 Executive Director Sue Andrews awarded WGGB Olwen Wymark Theatre Encouragement Award
Nominated by Writers Guild of Great Britain member playwright Deborah McAndrew (An August Bank Holiday Lark and the new adaptation of Charles Dickens Hard Times) for her support since Deborah’s first production for Northern Broadsides in 2004.
Deborah McAndrew said: “I have had eight plays produced by Northern Broadsides and Sue’s encouragement and hard work on my behalf has been fantastic throughout. She reads every draft and is unshakeable in her support of the writer.
“Sue’s determination in recent years that all new work for the company should be published has meant that four of my plays have been published by Methuen, including the 2017 production of my adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac. I know that Sue was also behind the commissioning of An August Bank Holiday Lark, which won ‘best new play’ awards for me in 2014.
“She has made so much of my work possible from the very beginning right up to the present time and receives little or no public recognition for everything she does”.
2015 Actor and director Barrie Rutter awarded OBE for services to Drama in Queen’s New Year’s honour list
Barrie Rutter said “After weeks of zipped lips it’s a relief and a pleasure to share the news, especially with nearest and dearest. To be awarded an OBE is a great honour and one which I am delighted to receive. Huge gratitude to those who nominated and championed me and also to my colleagues, friends and audiences of Northern Broadsides whom I share this award with.”
2015 Manchester Theatre Awards – Best New Play
AN AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY LARK by Deborah McAndrew, a Northern Broadsides production in partnership with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme on tour.
2014 Manchester Theatre Awards – Best Actress in a Visiting Production
Catherine Kinsella, Rutherford & Son
2014 UK Theatre Award Winner – Best New Play
AN AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY LARK by Deborah McAndrew, a Northern Broadsides production in partnership with New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme on tour.
2013 A Night at the Awards – Best Actor
Barrie Rutter, Rutherford & Son
2013 A Night at the Awards – Best Supporting Actress
Sara Poyzer, Rutherford & Son
2010 The Pragnell Shakespeare Birthday Award
Presented to Barrie Rutter “For outstanding achievement in extending the appreciation and enjoyment of the works of William Shakespeare or in the general advancement of Shakespearean knowledge and understanding.”
www.pragnell.co.uk
2009 London Evening Standard Theatre Award
To Lenny Henry – Outstanding Newcomer Award – Othello
2006 Honorary Doctorate from the University of Huddersfield
To Barrie Rutter for his outstanding achievement with Northern Broadsides Theatre Company
2005 Honorary Doctorate from University of Bradford
Awarded to Barrie Rutter for his distinctive contribution as founder and director of Northern Broadsides.
2003 Shakespeare’s Globe Sam Wanamaker Award
To Barrie Rutter for his productions of Shakespeare.
2001 Honorary Doctorate from University of Hull
Awarded to Barrie Rutter for his services to theatre.
2000 Creative Briton Award
Barrie Rutter – Overall Winner.
2000 Liverpool Echo Arts Award
Best Visiting Production – Much Ado About Nothing.
1996 Prudential Award for the Arts
Commendation – Theatre.
1996 Manchester Evening News Award
Director Award to Barrie Rutter.
Best Visiting Production: The Cracked Pot.
1995 British Regional Theatre Award
Best Director: Barrie Rutter.
For Northern Broadsides’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Cracked Pot
1994 Manchester Evening News Theatre Award
Best supporting performance in a visiting production. – to John Branwell (Bottom) in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
1994 Shakespeare Globe Classic Award – The Tyrone Guthrie Award
To Barrie Rutter for A Midsummer Night’s Dream for Best Production.
1993 Time Out Magazine
To Barrie Rutter and Northern Broadsides for giving fresh voice to classical texts and making them more accessible to a wider audience.
1992 Independent on Sunday Stage Performance of the Year
To Barrie Rutter for his title role in Richard III.
We have also received many nominations over the years.
Reviews
★★★★
‘A good-looking and well-pitched revival’
The Stage on Quality Street
★★★★
‘A lot of giddy fun’
The Telegraph on Quality Street
★★★★★
‘Sincere, inclusive, and beautifully Northern’
Upstaged Manchester on As You Like It
As well as producing and touring our own shows, we are passionate about inspiring the next generation of theatre makers. Our Life in a Northern Town playwriting programme is a partnership between Barnsley Civic, Blackpool Grand Theatre and The Customs House. The programme supports the creativity of young people across four corners of the North, develops work by new artists, and provides a ladder into the theatre industry for upcoming talent.
We also work very closely with our local community in Calderdale; running a youth theatre in Park Ward, Halifax, as well as Writer’s Refuge; writing, poetry and performance sessions for refugees and people seeking asylum (in collaboration with St Augustine’s Centre).
Recently, we have been working on a community project for CultureDale (Calderdale’s Year of Culture). Iron People engages local people in a range of creative activities designed to explore environmental themes and connect participants to Calderdale’s natural and historic landscapes.
Keep up to date with all our projects on social media!