Birdsong: A Harrowing Tale of Love and Loss – ‘poignant, powerful and distressing; utterly spellbinding’

One of the most critically acclaimed books of recent years, Sebatian Faulk’s novel Birdsong was adapted first onto the big screen in 2012 and then onto the stage in 2013. Original Theatre now presents a new production of the harrowing tale live at the Playhouse for four nights only. The story centres on the character […]
Tom Tollet Reviews: Johns’ Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir – at Leeds Grand Theatre on 14 September

Next touring Wrexham, Llandaff Cathedral, Bristol, Dorking until 03 November. I expect, in the West at least, vocal harmony began with a monk’s first-ever mistake and over a millennium on from what must have been a shocking, ear-opening plainchant blunder, with extraordinary close four-part harmony, we now have Johns’ Boys Welsh Male Voice Choir charming […]
Johns’ Boys Male Chorus: Charisma in Concert at Leeds Grand Theatre on 14 September

“They were brilliant” – a statement one would logically attribute to a member of the audience at the end of a Johns’ Boys Choir performance. In fact, this was the reaction of Choir Founder and Director Aled Phillips, in appreciation of the Leeds audience the Choir entertained at Leeds Grand Theatre on Saturday. There was […]
Northern Ballet’s Three Short Ballets – Reviewed

The Northern Ballet’s Autumn 2024 triple bill premiered on Friday night at Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre. The triple bill offers a refreshing mix of an acclaimed modern classical ballet and two world premières. The night opened with Rudi van Dantzig’s 1977 Four Last Songs, comprising four pas de deux – each offering a different take on […]
Find A Partner: at Seven Arts, Chapel Allerton on 27 & 28 June

‘Find A Partner’: Love Island Meets Black Mirror in Leeds Actors in Training’s Latest Production. This week, I took a trip to Chapel Allerton’s local independent art space Seven. Founded in 2007, the venue and adjoined café bar has championed many innovative creatives and independent artists, ranging from comedy shows to live music to theatre. […]