Stan Graham's Leisure Guide for North and West Yorkshire
We can start celebrating Christmas now that Leeds Playhouse has opened its Festive Season offering. Over the years these shows have become the yardstick against which others are measured. Last year’s production of Oliver! which I sadly had to miss as I was in hospital, and was sold out by the time I recovered, won…
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After last week’s visit to Howard Assembly Room to see a South African cellist who had the audience up on their feet and rocking, this concert could not have been more different. That is the attraction of this venue, apart from the staff and the building itself. Arve Henriksen is a Norwegian trumpeter and tech…
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Anyone who regularly reads my articles will know that, apart from them needing therapy, I hate having the classics messed around with. If you think you can do it better then write your own play, even if you have to use the original idea. This is almost what happened here, the concept of Shakespeare’s Romeo…
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I have recommended this series of hour-long recitals by members of the Orchestra of Opera North before and this one did nothing to change my mind, it was wonderful. What I didn’t realise was that the chap who drove the bus which carried me to Leeds was a fan too. I presume that is the…
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I was remarking to a friend recently that I don’t get to review restaurants much any more, a classic example of being careful what you wish for! When I was invited by some former colleagues to join them at The Crown Hotel in Harrogate for a meal, I jumped at the chance, as I love…
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Any concert by Manchester Collective or Abel Selaocoe is well worth seeking out, but one which includes them both transcends the term concert and becomes an event and one which should not be missed. I first saw this collaboration in March 2022 in a work called The Oracle, and was more than impressed. That ensemble…
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As you can see from the feature image, LeedsBID and The Queens Hotel have got Christmas all wrapped up and tied with a bow, or they will have from 12th to 22nd December. After last year’s spectacular light projection which saw the Gingerbread Man work his way round the hotel to give those in City…
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What better way could there be on a November evening when the sun has chosen not to appear for several days, leaving us only in the company of grey, dank and moist weather, than to enjoy the fun and sheer exuberance of a band from sunny Senegal, where the smiles shine brighter than the star…
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The problem with reviewing a play dealing with a controversial subject is you need to keep your opinions of the issue to yourself and write your article on the merits of the piece of drama itself. Anyone who regularly reads my stuff will know that I usually insert some personal experiences so this will be…
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The power of advertising never ceases to amaze me. There is a car dealership who used to, and maybe still does, run ads on TV, with an ear worm jingle which I can’t help but recall every time I see anything connected with this show. Their name is Evans Halshaw, so you too can suffer…
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Tyke It To The Limit 