Well, what a night! Thank you to everyone who joined us for the wonderful A Night at the Plaza with Harry Clayton-Wright.
Performance artist, writer and radical creator Harry Clayton-Wright’s A Night at the Plaza took over the Howard Assembly Room on Wednesday 22 November, reliving the history of the building in an evening of entertainment, historical reenactment, exploration of film and social history.
Protests, nuns, romance, rats and racy movies… the Howard Assembly Room has seen it all.
First opened in 1879 as part of Leeds Grand Theatre, the venue started out life as a concert hall, before becoming a cinema in the early 20th century. In 1958 it was nicknamed The Plaza, said to be Leeds’ first adult cinema. Its programme included less than reputable art films and B movies, and with them came enthusiastic audiences and even more enthusiastic picket lines.
As part of Hidden Histories of New Briggate, for one night only audiences were transported back to the Plaza for an evening of entertainment, historical reenactment, exploration of film and social history.
All photos © Michael Godsall.
Hidden Histories of New Briggate is supported by Leeds City Council and Historic England as part of the New Briggate High Street Heritage Action Zone regeneration programme.
