1 April 2025
A York psychiatrist is preparing to take to the stage in her first amateur production for the Leeds Grand Theatre this week.
Dr Helen Spencer, a consultant for older people’s mental health services on Wold View ward at Foss Park is playing Madam Thenardier in Les Misérables.
As part of the 40th anniversary celebrations for the iconic musical, amateur licences were gifted to 11 companies across the UK, including the Leeds Amateur Operatic Society, in collaboration with Wakefield West Riding Theatre Company, LIDOS and Buttershaw St Pauls. This project is by special permission from Cameron Mackintosh and Music Theatre International, who are also overseeing each stage production.
Over 400 people from across the region auditioned for the production.
Helen’s love of music and performing started at a young age in school before studying drama at the University of Manchester, where she later co-founded a theatre company touring across the UK and overseas.
“It was while doing this I started to pursue my other dream of being a psychiatrist,” said Helen.
“I took a long break from theatre to complete my medical training and concentrated on my time as a junior doctor and raised a young family.
“In 2019 I started to get itchy feet and wanted to ‘tread the boards’ again.
“I moved back to Yorkshire and began auditioning for amateur companies in York. This led to me fully getting the theatre bug and I haven’t stopped since!
“Having studied and performed in musicals for decades this is a dream show to be part of.
“I am incredibly excited. I have loved this musical since I was at school and have performed the songs hundreds of times in concerts over the years.
“To get the opportunity to perform a full adult version, with a cast, crew, band and design is beyond words. And to top it all off, I get to play the wonderfully horrible, Madam Thenardier!”
Helen uses drama techniques in her medical education role facilitating workshops to teach communication and empathy skills to doctors. She also uses music and art as a therapeutic tool when working with older people in in our Trust.
“Our brains process music in a different area to our language centres,” continued Helen, “and I have seen dementia patients struggle to communicate verbally, but when we use music and singing, it helps them connect with memories and emotions and they can find a way to communicate through the music.”
Being involved in performing arts is also essential for Helen’s mental wellbeing.
“For me, being on the stage is where I can feel deeply and let go of any emotional tension.
“It helps me to be physically fit, engages my brain to learn harmonies and remember lines as well as creating new social connections and friends.
“In a world where I am a mother, a doctor, a daughter, a partner, theatre is my space that is just for me, a place to express, to escape stresses and to play, my happy place!
“Anyone can be involved, even if you don’t want to be on stage, experience is not needed.
“There are so many elements that go into making a theatre production, costume, lights, sound, props and selling programmes etc, whatever you choose, you can experience new things and meet new people. I would recommend it to anyone.”
On top of her acting roles, Helen recently co-founded a theatre company, Wharfemede Productions, and has just completed the first production of Little Women to packed out houses with 5-star reviews.
She also sings and is a member of a four-piece female vocal harmony group called The Hollywood Sisters. Last year, as part of a musical cabaret evening, they helped to raise money for a new sensory room, they have more shows lined up across the summer.
Helen will be performing on Thursday 3, Saturday 5, Wednesday 9 and Friday 11 April (including matinees on Saturday and Wednesday).
Tickets are available on the Leeds Heritage website, ranging from £30 to £54. You can also get Buy One Get One Free on balcony seats using the code: ONESEATMORE. If you are work for the NHS, you can also access discounted tickets through the Tickets for Good website.
