Theo in Between

Book and Lyrics: Gareth Mattey
Music and Lyrics: Jordan Li-Smith
Director: Dean Johnson

Cast of Theo in Between performing on stage at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Scene from Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Performers in Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Stage scene from Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Cast performing in Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Performers on stage in Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Scene from Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Stage moment from Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Performers in Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Scene from Theo in Between at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin
Cast of Theo in Between on stage at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, photo by Cian O'Ráin

Workshop development undertaken at ArtsEd and Leeds Conservatoire 

First production by British Youth Music Theatre at Leeds Carriageworks Theatre, 2025
British Youth Music Theatre New Music Theatre Award 2025 Finalist
Nominated for ‘Best New Production of a Musical’ at BroadwayWorld UK / West End Awards 2025

A new musical for anyone who's ever felt in between

It’s 1999 and the quaint Northern town of Dulberry prepares to deliver their best Harvest Festival yet, but Theo is focused on something else: will finding their absent father help them understand what it means to be a ‘man’?

 Stuck in between the expectations of the town, their friends, and their Mum, Theo sets out to find their place in the world and work out who they are, and who they want to be. With a nostalgic 90s-inspired score, Theo in Between is a musical theatre coming of age celebration of gender identity, found community, and anyone who has ever felt a little bit in between.

  • “A bold, thoughtful and profoundly relatable musical. Theo in Between may have been set in 1999 - but it felt like a breath of fresh air.”

    The Culture Vulture

  • “The book, written by Gareth Mattey, is rather charming and while it is dotted with humour, it has a surprising amount of warmth and heart to it, especially in the final scenes which pack quite an unexpected emotional punch.”

    Musical Theatre Review

  • ★★★★ “Theo in Between is full of melodies... with plenty of numbers that takes us on a musical journey.”

    The Reviews Hub

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