Leeds City Council fund culture plans for the 2015 Rugby World Cup

As thousands of rugby fans are expected to descend on to Leeds this autumn, after it was confirmed Millennium Square will be the official site of 2015 Rugby World Cup Fanzone, the city is preparing to add some culture to the sporting event.

Whilst Leeds hosts several upcoming international matches, Dep Arts are leading on the culture programme that will take place at the same time. This operation was initially announced in February after a new partnership with Leeds City Council was struck.

Further funding has been acquired thanks to Arts Council England. The full programme will be entitled TRY and the extra funding allows the addition of a new element to the programme.

TRY is expected to feature two completely opposite commissions, and Dep Arts also announced they will be collaborating with with award-winning theatre companies Slung Low and Tangled Feet for the programme.

With Rugby World Cup 2015 kicking off from September 18 to October 31 this year, Leeds will be hosting two games at Elland Road as part of a weekend of Rugby on 26-27 September.

This will undoubtedly attract thousands of visitors to the city over the course of the tournament, and therefore provide an economic boost for local bars, restaurants, retailers and other city-based businesses.

As well as the Fanzone and tournament itself, Leeds will likely get an influx of fans when the Webb Ellis Cup visits different locations within city from August 7-8. Once again, providing businesses with an opportunity to to capitalize on the increased number of consumers.

David Edmunds, Dep Arts said: “We have been successful in receiving additional funding via Arts Council England to go alongside our new partnership with Leeds City Council. As a result I am thrilled we are able to commission two of the UK’s leading theatre companies to make new work as part of TRY, especially ones with such a strong artistic track record and experience of making amazing working in non-conventional spaces. With Slung Low and Tangled Feet, we have commissioned two really exciting pieces of work and we cannot wait to share more about the shows with you at the end of April.”

Alan Lane, artistic director of Slung Low, added: “It’s so exciting to be making something for the Rugby World Cup 2015 cultural programme. The tournament is going to be such an exciting event in the city and, thanks to the brilliant support of the arts council and the city council, the culture offer is going to be as exciting as the Rugby.”

Nathan Curry, from Tangled Feet, also commented: “Tangled Feet are thrilled to be working with Dep Arts and Leeds City Council to create a unique and exciting piece of outdoor theatre in the centre of Leeds. Inspired by the drama, team spirit and traditions of Rugby it will be a wonderful way to celebrate Leeds’ status as a Host City. We are going to be looking for hundreds of local performers to be part of the show - you don’t need any experience - but this is a chance to have an unforgettable opportunity performing to thousands.”

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