Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
I was recently asked if I would like to sample the Christmas menu at Bundobust and write a review. Well, that took a lot of thinking about! I decided to go when the place was quiet and so scheduled it to coincide with Grease at The Grand, thus having a proper evening out with pre-show…
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The backend of November seemed like a strange time to stage a concert with ‘spring’ in the title but all became clear when the featured works were by those two giants of American music, Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein and it was performed on the eve of Thanksgiving. The concert was split into two sections,…
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Leeds Playhouse have excelled themselves since lockdown with the productions they have staged. OK, so there was one clunker and another I thought was a bit too clever for its own good, but this is a real gem. Even Red Ladder have exceeded their usual high standards here, perhaps a longer ladder is now needed.…
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I don’t know if it is by force of circumstance or design, but Leeds Grand Theatre has come up with yet another feel-good musical to cheer us post-lockdown. OK, I realise that there are very few miserable musicals, although I did see one, which will remain nameless, not so long ago, but the theme of…
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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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For most of you it would have been Wednesday, 20th October 2021 but to me it was 1977. The time shift began when my bus failed to arrive and the following one was late. Those of you who were around in Silver Jubilee year will recall that this situation would have been the norm. I…
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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 MoreSadly, the 50th Anniversary year of Leeds Playhouse has been curtailed by the pandemic so, as with a lot of other live venues, many planned events have either been cancelled or postponed. The good news is that they are now back in full swing and we can look forward to a full winter programme. Leeds…
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Tyke It To The Limit 