Prepare for an extraordinary cultural immersion as Transform 25 sweeps into Leeds from October 21-25, 2025, offering groundbreaking UK premieres and a chance to win tickets to three electrifying performances and an opulent overnight stay at Malmaison Leeds. Dive into a world where art challenges, inspires, and entertains, featuring innovative works like Ahamefule J. Oluo’s The Things Around Us, Akeim Toussaint Buck’s Free, and Eisa Jocson & Venuri Perera’s Magic Maids, promising an unforgettable arts experience.
What is included in the Transform 25 festival prize giveaway in Leeds?
The Transform 25 festival prize giveaway includes a pair of tickets to three groundbreaking UK premiere performances, an overnight stay for two at the Malmaison Leeds hotel, and a lavish breakfast at Chez Mal. Enter by submitting the online form before October 3, 2025.
Transform 25: A Festival Redefining Performance Arts in Leeds
The cultural scene in Leeds is set for a vibrant transformation as Transform 25, the UK’s premier festival for international and avant-garde performance, returns from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th October 2025. With an ethos rooted in accessibility and diversity, the festival offers tickets starting at just £2 through a pay-what-you-can system, ensuring art is available to all. This initiative encourages participation from a broad demographic, reinforcing Leeds’ reputation as an inclusive creative hub. View the full lineup here.
Transform 25 is more than just a series of performances; it’s a convergence of artistic innovation and social commentary. Bringing together 14 companies from 12 countries, the festival’s programming spans genres and geographies, from immersive theatre and experimental dance to thought-provoking installations. Attendees can expect to grapple with themes such as pop culture, colonialism, identity, and resistance, all through the lens of boundary-pushing art.
For those drawn to productions that challenge conventions and ignite conversation, Transform 25 is an unmissable event. As one festival spokesperson puts it, “Transform is a joyous celebration of Leeds’ multicultural, creative and progressive spirit.” The autumn lineup is meticulously curated to provoke, inspire, and entertain, making it a landmark event on the UK arts calendar.
Dive Into Three Unmissable Premieres
As part of a special giveaway, one lucky winner will secure a pair of tickets to three headline Transform 25 events, each a UK premiere offering a unique perspective on contemporary performance art. These shows exemplify the festival’s commitment to innovation and diversity.
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The Things Around Us (Howard Assembly Room, Wednesday 22nd October): Blurring the lines between stand-up comedy and jazz concert, this solo performance by Ahamefule J. Oluo from the USA is both musically inventive and emotionally resonant. Oluo crafts a “haunting live soundscape” using looping electronics, clarinet, trumpet, and even everyday objects, all while sharing “darkly humorous stories” that invite self-reflection and laughter in equal measure.
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Free (Leeds School of Arts, Thursday 23rd October): Created by Leeds’ own Akeim Toussaint Buck, ‘Free’ is an immersive dance experience that honors the radical history of Reggae. Audiences are more than mere spectators – they’re invited to participate, to “skank and get lively” as part of a collective search for joy in challenging times. This show embodies the healing and unifying power of music and dance, urging everyone to “find joy in the darkest hour.”
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Magic Maids (Saturday 25th October): Eisa Jocson and Venuri Perera deliver a performance that is as intellectually rigorous as it is visually arresting. ‘Magic Maids’ interweaves pageantry and possession, connecting the historical trauma of European witch hunts to contemporary issues of migrant women’s labor exploitation. The broom, described as “an extension of their bodies,” becomes both symbol and weapon, transforming scenes of oppression into powerful acts of feminist resistance.
Indulge in Luxury: A Night at Malmaison Leeds
The Transform 25 experience extends beyond the theatre, with an overnight stay at the stylish Malmaison Leeds as part of the grand prize. Situated in the heart of the city, Malmaison is a vibrant four-star hotel known for its blend of comfort and character. Winners will enjoy a night in a Club Double Bedroom, equipped with a sprawling king-size bed, plush bathrobe, and all the amenities required for relaxation after a night of artistic stimulation.
A stay at Malmaison is not complete without sampling the offerings at Chez Mal, the hotel’s acclaimed brasserie. In the morning, guests can savor a lavish breakfast featuring an array of continental delights at the Chef’s Table, including freshly-baked pastries, artisan yoghurts, and homemade granola. There is also the option to order a signature hot dish, with the “Merguez sausage and baked egg shakshuka” earning particular acclaim from regular guests.
This overnight escape not only complements the festival experience but allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in Leeds’ dynamic cultural and culinary scene. The combination of cutting-edge performance art and premium hospitality encapsulates the city’s evolving identity as a destination for creative exploration.
How to Enter: Secure Your Chance at an Unforgettable Prize
Participating in the Transform 25 prize draw is straightforward and open to anyone eager to experience the festival’s highlights. To enter, simply fill out the designated online form and submit your details before the deadline of 5pm on Friday 3rd October 2025. The entry process is designed with privacy in mind – personal information is handled in accordance with the festival’s terms and privacy policy, ensuring data security and responsible communication.
Winners will be notified by email and will receive:
- A pair of tickets to three unique events at Transform 25, each a UK premiere.
- An overnight stay for two in a Club Double Bedroom at Malmaison Leeds.
- A lavish breakfast at Chez Mal, featuring both continental and made-to-order hot dishes.
The festival also offers subscribers news, special offers, and opportunities to participate in future competitions, making it worthwhile to stay connected even if you’re not the lucky winner this year. For full details on the prize and participation, including eligibility requirements and conditions, refer to the official Transform 25 terms and conditions.
Transform 25 promises to be a highlight of the cultural calendar, combining world-class performances with the chance for exclusive, memorable experiences in the heart of Leeds.
- Transform 25 is a festival for international and avant-garde performance taking place in Leeds from October 21-25, 2025.
- The festival offers tickets starting at £2 through a pay-what-you-can system to ensure accessibility.
- One prize giveaway includes a pair of tickets to three UK premiere performances and an overnight stay for two at the Malmaison Leeds hotel with breakfast.
- The three unmissable UK premiere performances featured in the giveaway are The Things Around Us, Free, and Magic Maids.
- To enter the prize draw, participants must submit an online form before 5pm on Friday, October 3, 2025.