Acclaimed touring company Northern Broadsides will bring a bold new staging of Crime and Punishment to Leeds’ Chroma-Q Theatre this March, supported by University Centre Leeds and Leeds City College students working alongside the professional creative team.
The collaboration offers learners valuable industry experience in technical theatre, design realisation and stage management, providing a rare opportunity to contribute to a major touring production.
Production Arts students Lillie McCormick and Lottie Kingsley are completing extended work placements, supporting rehearsals and serving as Assistant Stage Managers throughout the Leeds run. Lillie said, “I really like working in a professional environment, I learn more from being more hands on.” Backstage students from Leeds City College will assist with the fit up at the Chroma-Q Theatre.
Northern Broadsides’ contemporary reimagining of Dostoevsky’s classic features three actors, Trudy Akobeng, Niall Costigan and Connor Curren, who bring the psychological drama to life for modern audiences.
Artistic Director Laurie Sansom said, “Crime and Punishment is a story that asks profound questions about morality, obsession and survival. Now more than ever, we’re seeing young people grappling with the pressures of poverty, social isolation and uncertainty about their future. This production looks those issues squarely in the eye – asking what happens when someone feels they have nothing left to lose.”
Paul Graham-Bell, Programme and Production Manager for University Centre Leeds and Leeds City College, added, “We are very excited that Northern Broadsides will be performing in the college’s Chroma-Q Theatre. The company have been extremely generous with their time and the access they have given to our students. Experiences with professional companies give invaluable insight to our students and make the transition from an education setting into the workplace much easier.”
Student Lottie Kingsley echoed this, saying, “A huge takeaway from this experience has been how much enjoyment and friendly collaboration can be present within a professional environment – prior to this placement, I was definitely a bit daunted by the pressure of a professional work setting and being able to spend a long time with a company and get to know the individuals has massively helped to alleviate my fears.”
The state-of-the-art 200‑seat Chroma-Q Theatre, located at Leeds City College’s Quarry Hill campus, hosts the production from 12 to 14 March as part of Northern Broadsides’ Spring 2026 tour.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
