Transform 25: in pictures
November 25, 2025
Brazilian artist collective MEXA returned to Leeds with The Last Supper at Leeds Playhouse
Transform 25 unfolded across Leeds 21–25 October 2025.
This edition of our biennial festival brought together more than 30 artists for an exhilarating five days of performance.
With nine sold out shows and audiences in their thousands, we assembled people from Leeds and beyond to experience everything from subversive theatre to mesmerising dance; outdoor installations to a Doomsday Disco.
But don’t just take our word for it…
Read on to hear what audiences and press had to say about Transform 25 (alongside some beautiful photos by JMA Photography).
'empowering – political – beautiful'
‐ Audience member
MEXA, The Last Supper
Ahamefule J. Oluo, The Things Around Us
AIredale Symphony Orchestra performing as part of Eve Stainton, The Joystick and The Reins
Eve Stainton, The Joystick and The Reins
'a resilient act of imagination in a city determined to forge its path ahead’
‐ The State of the Arts
Toussaint To Move, Free
Tiran Willemse, blackmilk
Eisa Jocson and Venuri Perera, Magic Maids
Samir Kennedy & Sean Murray, IT’S GOT LEGS!!!!!!!
'Deeply moving. Intense. Captivating.'
‐ Audience member
Ahamefule J. Oluo, The Things Around Us
Katja Heitmann, PERPETUUM
Samir Kennedy & Sean Murray, IT’S GOT LEGS!!!!!!!
'Really chuffing mint'
‐ Audience member
Eisa Jocson and Venuri Perera, Magic Maids
performance, possession + automation, Surrender
Amrita Hepi with Mish Grigor, Rinse
Samra Mayanja performs at Surrender
Audiences at Magic Maids
‘always thoughtful, inspiring and exciting’
‐ Yorkshire Post
An Olive Tree: A Living Archive by our Young Curators
Dan Daw Creative Projects, EXXY. Photo: Hugo Glendinning
MEXA, The Last Supper
★★★★ ‘a double shot of engrossing dance’
‐ The Guardian
Amrita Hepi with Mish Grigor, Rinse
Thanks to everyone who joined us to make Transform 25 so incredible!
Support us to bring another thrilling edition of our international performance festival to Leeds in 2027.