Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
It might not be opera as we would like to experience it, but nevertheless it was a great way to spend 40 minutes on an otherwise dull Saturday evening in lockdown. Regular readers will know that I have been less than impressed by the on-line versions of operas which have been filmed from the stage…
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One of the benefits of the various lockdowns and restrictions is that we can still look forward to some of the events which would normally have been over and done with by now. One such treat which will take place between 19th and 28th March, 2021 is Compass Festival. The event was originally scheduled to…
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Oddly enough, Christmas is nearly upon us once more. Easter was cancelled, as were our summer holidays, so it is about time we had something to look forward to, and what could be more uplifting than a tale about an elderly miser. As an old Yorkshireman it certainly works for me! Leeds Playhouse are in…
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To help us through Lockdown 2.0 and beyond, Opera North are live-streaming a couple of major productions which have been stymied by the situation. They have also announced that one of the major events planned for next year has had to be postponed. First, the good news. On Saturday, 21st November there will be a…
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‘Twas the night before lockdown, which meant that the elevation of Leeds into Tier 3 of the government’s alert level was suspended and we remained in Tier 2 thus people from the same household or support bubble could go to the theatre one last time before returning to house arrest. There could be no more…
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Baby, it’s cold outside, but not at the Ticket Office, where they have installed an external heating system so that people can comply with the Tier 2 rules and meet someone from another household outdoors. The area has also been fitted with shelters so you don’t get wet either – except on the inside! Back…
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I went to see this production in sombre mood after having been out for lunch the previous day to what was my local pub when I lived at Candle House in Granary Wharf. It was 1.45pm on a Friday so I had booked a table but when I arrived I entered to the sound of…
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The rapper and playwright Testament gave a performance with members of the Orchestra of Opera North and the result was stunning. Could it be the world’s first Hip Hopera? I have to say that even at the tender age of 71 I am quite the fan of rap now that it has evolved into a…
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Samuel Beckett is one of the quirkiest playwrights of his, or any other, time. Although he was Irish he wrote his early plays in French and one of his works featured the leading actress buried up to her waist throughout the performance. Even he would be surprised at the way this performance panned out. Krapp’s…
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I fear that I am writing this in order to let you know what you have missed rather than to encourage you to go see the piece. The format of Connecting Voices is that there are three works which run throughout the three weeks of the season and three further ones which are ‘Reflections’ on…
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