Historic Chandelier Reused for Leeds Pantomime Season

An antique chandelier, which previously illuminated renowned musical artists, has been reactivated for Leeds’ pantomime season. This decorative fixture was installed at Leeds Town Hall in the 1960s, providing light for performances by musicians including The Rolling Stones, Elton John, and Queen. After its removal in the late 1990s and subsequent storage, it has now been given a new role in the Carriageworks Theatre’s staging of Beauty and the Beast. Due to its age, the chandelier is no longer capable of being electrically powered. Instead, a disco ball has been integrated into its core, enabling stage lights to be cast and reflected through its structure. Steve Greenwood, the technical manager for Carriageworks, stated that preparing the lighting fixture to appear at its optimal for the pantomime season presented a “real challenge.” He further commented: “It has also been really rewarding to restore a bit of the city’s music history and to be giving it such an unusual new lease of life.“Thinking of all the stars it has seen over the years is incredible and it’s definitely going to add a bit of something extra special to the set.” The chandelier, originally situated in Victoria Hall within Leeds Town Hall, was taken down to accommodate the installation of a new acoustic canopy. Beyond its presence at concerts featuring The Rolling Stones in 1963, Elton John in 1971, and Queen in 1973, other notable artists who performed beneath its illumination include Pink Floyd in 1969 and Led Zeppelin in 1970. Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, stated: “The Carriageworks Theatre panto has become a cherished Leeds tradition and a big part of Christmas for families.“It’s wonderful that this year, Beauty and the Beast will be enriched by a special piece of our city’s history and I’m sure audiences will enjoy a truly extraordinary performance.”