Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
Friday saw another chance for me to visit the new Howard Assembly Room, this time to see a true jazz legend in concert. Not only that but also someone who will doubtless become a jazz legend in future. Before I get on to my thoughts about the show I would like to give another mention…
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Time to head out of the city centre and let you know what’s in store at Yeadon Town Hall. I know it’s time because that landmark building has had its tower refurbished along with the clock faces, and the chimes now ring out once more. Add the newly repaired roof, exterior walls and stained glass…
Read MoreAny of you who have been paying attention will know from the Leeds Heritage Theatre Preview about the Opera North productions being staged at Leeds Grand Theatre but there is lots of other stuff going on as well so here is a summary. The main operas in the winter season are Carmen, Bernstein Double Bill…
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Whoever is curating the programme for this first post-pandemic season at Opera North is playing a blinder. They are making it so easy for those new to the genre, and also hardened opera buffs, to slide effortlessly back into ‘normal’ life. In addition this production is the perfect opportunity for an audience to experience modern…
Read MoreLeeds Heritage Theatres is the new umbrella term for Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds City Varieties Music Hall and Hyde Park Picture House. In the past I have done previews of the two live venues separately but now that their website is a comprehensive list of everything on offer it seems logical to treat them as…
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While we wait for summer, let’s have a look at what winter has in store for us. Now that I seem to have everybody’s programmes I am working my way through them over the next few days. They are in alphabetical order so as not to imply favouritism, sorry about that Yeadon Town Hall! If…
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This article is as much about the venue as the event and I must say that both elements were excellent. I was at the newly refurbished Howard Assembly Room for its first concert in over two years and to celebrate the occasion three performers had been assembled to showcase their considerable talents and introduce the…
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What a great way to kick off the first Opera North Season since lockdown. Carmen is one of those operas where everyone knows at least two of the arias even if only from adverts or film scores. Before the curtain opened the audience was given a brief welcome back by Richard Mantle, Opera North’s General…
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After more than 600 days, live classical music has returned to Huddersfield Town Hall with the launch of a new season of events, and it couldn’t have started with a better curated programme. The title of this first concert says it all, the pieces starting with a choice from the darker side and ending in…
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I can’t tell you how good it was to be back at Leeds Grand Theatre for the first time since 4th March, 2020 – so I won’t. Seriously, they say that you should never go back but, after a disconcerting start, the place was full and masks optional, it was as though I had never…
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Tyke It To The Limit 