As part of Class Assembly Bradford in September 2025, RTYDS hosted an evening for working class and low socio-economic background artists at Common Space in Bradford.

We welcomed working class artists from Bradford, Yorkshire and beyond to join us for drinks, music, and good chat.

This evening followed immediately after a Class Assembly event held by RTYDS – which brought organisations together to actively interrogate what the barriers are to career progression for people who are working class / from low socio-economic backgrounds, and to commit to continuing this conversation within their own companies.

After a day of conversations with theatres, we wanted to create a space for working class and low socio-economic artists to come together for an evening of solidarity, connection and celebration.

Photos by Tom Woollard

Access

The artist’s evening took place at Common/Wealth’s Common Space (1-3 John St, Bradford, BD1 3JT).

For accessibility information, go to their website here. Common Space has a quiet room on the ground floor which is open for all to use. It is a multi-faith quiet room open to all, and they have prayer mats available (or you are welcome to bring your own).

What is Class Assembly?

Class Assembly is part of Fair Play‘s Advocacy strand of work. It brings together theatres, companies and artists to understand the deep-rooted socio-economic inequity in the arts and take away tangible action points to make change.

Our aim is to create a culture shift within the industry when it comes to talking about and recognising class. Change starts with knowledge and action, and the events combine to develop understanding of the landscape by sharing key facts and data alongside experience to build a collective understanding of the barriers in place.

In addition, we facilitate an open and honest conversation where organisations meet artists from lower socio-economic backgrounds to listen, learn, and discover what action can be taken.

In May 2025 we partnered with 20 Stories High and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse to run a day-long event for artists in the north west.

In September 2025 we partnered with Bradford 2025 City of Culture, Bradford Producing Hub and Common/Wealth to run Class Assembly Bradford, a day-long event that included panel discussions, artist commissions and networking.