Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
Some words get overused or expanded to include those not worthy but Linton Kwesi Johnson is a luminary, in not just one field but two. His poetry has seen him become the first black person to have their work included in Penguin’s Modern Classics, and only the second living poet to be so honoured. His…
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I had been looking forward to seeing this play for some time but that can sometimes mean I set myself up for a disappointment, not here however. As it happens the evening proved to be an education, and I am not just referring to the drama on stage. I have mentioned before that press nights…
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In the words of the old song, what a difference a day makes. On Saturday night I was in Howard Assembly Room with blood trickling from my ears due to the megadecibels of I Like Trains and here I am on Sunday listening to the plaintive sounds of the acclaimed Scottish folk singer Siobhan Miller…
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In 1974 I was at the flicks when there was a gasp from the audience as the whole place began to shake. The reason was that it was an old cinema which had been converted into a double screen place and the movie showing in the other auditorium was called Earthquake. It used a new…
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The Opera North Winter/Spring Season has kicked off with a classic. La traviata by Verdi has all the the core ingredients of an opera; forbidden love, death, redemption, family fall-outs, big scenes, quiet moments and bangin’ tunes! The story is that of a glamorous Parisienne courtesan, Violetta, who, let’s just say, enjoys a good night…
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How did that happen? I am sure that we have been through a time warp as it only seems like a couple of months ago since I was at the opening of last year’s Christmas Market. I honestly don’t recall putting my hands on my hips or bringing my knees in tight, and, as for…
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Thursday, 29th September sees the start of the 2022-23 Opera North Season with a staging of La traviata at Leeds Grand Theatre. I have taken my posh frock to the cleaners in anticipation. This is the first of six operas being staged between now and next March with a mixture of classic and less well…
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Well, I suppose it had to happen. The first three events I went to in the LIFI22 were brilliant so it was odds on that the fourth would be a let down, and so it proved. The first thing I need to take issue with is the title, ‘What Can You Laugh About’. This implies…
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When I was invited to attend LIFI22 I decided to pick four events which had special relevance for me; the first was on architecture, an interest of mine; the second, food, on which I write and overindulge; the fourth is about comedy, something which I am obviously in need of help; and this third offering…
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I must admit to not having come across Mr Ottolenghi’s work before. He is a chef, restaurateur, author and Guardian food columnist, so admirably placed to inform us about the current thinking on food. He is especially qualified to be the subject of this interview about the Universal Language of Food having family originating from…
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Tyke It To The Limit 