Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds (must see)

Finding yourself on New Briggate in front of Leeds Grand Theatre, spare some time to examine its elaborate Victorian exterior. Built in 1877-1878 to designs by George Corson and James Robertson Watson, the theatre combines Romanesque arches with Gothic and Scottish baronial features, which give it something of a castle appearance.

Start with the main entrance, marked by large, rounded stone arches and wooden doors. Look above the entrance to see a series of arched windows and, higher still, a circular rose window set between two small turrets. These decorative features were intended to distinguish the theatre from the ordinary music halls of Victorian Leeds.

Now, face the building and follow its frontage to the left. You'll see a row of shopfronts, originally incorporated into the theatre complex. Some retain architectural details recalling the building's Victorian origins, while others reflect alterations made during the 1930s.

Continue towards the southern end, where a separate, elaborately decorated entrance marks the former Assembly Rooms. You can identify it by the ornamental stonework featuring a carved face, fan-shaped decoration, and garlands above the doorway. Originally designed for fashionable social gatherings and concerts, these rooms later became a cinema known as the Plaza. Today, the former Assembly Rooms serve as rehearsal facilities.

If you have an opportunity to enter the theatre, the auditorium is its greatest attraction. Here, three horseshoe-shaped balconies curve around the seating area, their fronts decorated with gilded scrollwork. Take a look at the stage, framed by an ornate arch and flanked by decorative columns and theatrical boxes. Then glance upwards at the richly ornamented ceiling and its magnificent Waterford crystal chandelier, featuring more than 6,000 crystals.

Since opening in 1878, Leeds Grand Theatre has remained one of the city's principal performance venues. Today, it is home to Opera North and hosts touring musicals, plays, opera, ballet, and concerts. Attending a performance here offers the best opportunity to appreciate the auditorium's Victorian splendour in its original theatrical setting.