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Theatre
Barnum- Roll Up, Roll Up, The Circus Is Coming To Town
Sarah Crown
Theatre Correspondent
The Cast Of Barnum Photo Credit: Pamela Raith Photography
Based upon the life and ambitions of a real-life American showman, Phineas Taylor Barnum, Barnum has been entertaining audiences since the early 1980’s, when the role of Barnum was played by Michael Crawford, of the Some Mothers do have ‘em fame.
P.ublished 29th April 2026
Theatre
TakeOver Festival Returns To York Theatre Royal From 26–30 May
Fragments of Time, Photo: Kirkpatrick Photography
The week-long festival features student-led performances alongside professional shows, workshops and community activities. Student showcases include murder mystery, verbatim theatre on sex work, a period musical set in 1923 Soho, and a convict ship drama — with age guidance of 16+ on some productions.
P.ublished 15th April 2026
Theatre
Dead Clever: Operation Mincemeat Is A Triumph Of A Musical
Sarah Crown
Theatre Correspondent
Jamie Rose Monks as Johnny Bevan Photo Credit: Matt Crockett
What a fabulous show! An improbable subject for a musical but Operation Mincemeat is a true story about real people and actual events that shaped the outcome of the second World War. Penned by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson and Zoe Roberts on behalf of Spitlip, the music and lyrics are refreshingly both catchy and intelligent.
P.ublished 14th April 2026
Review
Waitress - The Slow Burn Pie
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
WAITRESS. Sandra Marvin (Becky), Carrie Hope Fletcher (Jenna) and Evelyn Hoskins (Dawn). Photo by Matt Crockett
I wouldn’t say that I have quite been made to eat humble pie but Waitress, the musical with all the winning ingredients of a Sara Lee cheesecake, is so much sweeter these days!
P.ublished 14th April 2026
Theatre
"Planet Omar Lands At Leeds — And It's Out Of This World
I entered Leeds Playhouse and was immediately invited into the mind and imagination of an 8-year-old Muslim boy, tackling his everyday challenges with wit, naivety, and imagination. With dreams of monsters, friendly dragons and zombies following Omar as he battles bullies, unfriendly neighbours, intolerance, and prejudice.
P.ublished 13th April 2026
Music
Here And Now - The Steps Musical, Opera House, Blackpool
Jukebox musicals are incredibly popular – throw in some big hits from a popular artist or group, and in most cases, include a flimsy storyline, and the fans will come. Take That and ABBA have both had their songs featured in musicals, the latter being more prominent with Mama Mia.
P.ublished 9th April 2026
Theatre
Operation Mincemeat – The Ultimate Prime Cut
In these days of delicate sensitivities when people are so easily ‘offended’, it is hard to imagine that two musicals could so brilliantly satirise the Nazi swastika and actually get away with it – Mel Brook’s The Producers did it in 2001 and now Operation Mincemeat is following suit.
P.ublished 8th April 2026
Theatre
Priscilla : Big, Bold And Brave - With Showstopper Stand In
Glitterballs abound as the much-vaunted Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical comedy had the audience totally under their spell. They would have forgiven anything - including the late start.
P.ublished 7th April 2026
Theatre
To Be Or Not To Be … Times Three
Hamlet by the University of Arts, Targu Mures.
Fans of Shakespeare’s gloomy Danish prince have three Hamlet events to choose from at the York International Shakespeare Festival this month, in the Creative Centre of York St John University. On April 23 – traditionally Shakespeare’s birthday – The University of Arts Targu Mures, from Romania, present their take on the play.
P.ublished 7th April 2026
Theatre
To See Or Not To See - Hamlet By The RSC
Sharon Cain
Lifestyle & Leisure Editor
Ralph Davis as Hamlet Image by Marc Brenner
Hamlet has never been for the faint hearted. This production’s descent into carnage is made more chilling by blood red numbers on a clock which counts down to a stage strewn with dead bodies as vengeance and betrayal wreak havoc.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Theatre
On Top Of The Wold
Julia Pattison
Theatre Correspondent
Catherine Warnock James McLean Georgina Liley Robert Took Photo: Robling Photography
As a born and bred Yorkshire lass, and having married into a farming family at Barmby Moor, in the East Riding nearly fifty years ago, I, along with a packed local audience, could totally relate to the world premiere of Top of the Wold at Pocklington Arts Centre, which explored fascinating stories from the East Riding.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Theatre
2:22 - A Ghost Story
Graham Clark
Music Correspondent
The cast of 2:22 - image supplied by York Grand
Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something strange and frightening feels close, so they’re going to stay up... until 2:22... and then they’ll know.
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Theatre
The Greatest Show on Earth? Not Quite
When the greatest showman on earth spends the first 90 minutes of his performance sporting a lacklustre brown suit and something resembling a trilby cum bowler hat, you wonder whether this is the man to follow in the footsteps of Michael Crawford!
P.ublished 1st April 2026
Review
Full Service History: Matt Miller's Joyful Solo Show Gets Right Under The Bonnet
There is a phrase that recurs in Fixing like a mechanic's mantra: 'holistic car care, going on a journey — together'. By the time Matt Miller's 75 minutes are up, you realise that sentence has done rather a lot of quiet, patient work. The Ripon Theatre Festival could hardly have wished for a more propitious launch event.
P.ublished 30th March 2026
Festivals
Ripon Theatre Festival 2026: Celebrating Five Years Of Culture, Colour And Community Spirit
Ripon Theatre Festival (RTF) launches its 2026 programme on 27 March, promising a summer to look forward to. Firmly established as a key date in the region’s cultural calendar, this year’s festival runs 5-12 July with 8 days and nights of performances and activities.
P.ublished 23rd March 2026
Theatre
Simply The Best - Tina Turner The Musical Leeds Grand
What a show this was! Opening night of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical had the sell-out audience hooked from the word go. The show is dedicated to the life of global superstar Tina Turner: her heartbreaking upbringing, her fight for survival in an abusive relationship, the rebuilding of her career from nothing and ultimately becoming one of the most renowned female artists in history.
P.ublished 20th March 2026
Theatre
From Fray Bentos To Grenfell: Sheffield's Ordinary Lives, Extraordinarily Told
Sarah Crown
Theatre Correspondent
Kenny Doughty (Brian), Liz White (Kathy), Andrew Macklin (Sean) Photo Credit: Mark Douet
Set in the living room of a house on Burngreave Road, Sheffield, young Kathy and Brian settle to make their forever home. With young love in the air and babies on the way the world is their oyster, but over the sixty years that the play spans, inevitably life gets in the way.
P.ublished 20th March 2026
Theatre
Small Island Big Story
John Kitching
Writer
Daniel Ward (Gilbert), Bronté Barbé (Queenie) and Paul Hawkyard (Arthur). Photo: Pamela Raith Photography
Taking us on a journey from the sun-drenched island of Jamaica to war-torn Britain and beyond, Small Island is a story of love, belonging, identity, and entitlement. The story is filled with humour, serving as a reflection of ourselves and our attitudes.
P.ublished 18th March 2026
Theatre
Bluey’s Big Play – A Q&A With Melanie Zanetti And Dave Mccormack (Mum & Dad)
Bingo, Bandit, Chattermax & Bluey Photo: Mark Senior
Bluey’s Big Play, the theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® Award-winning animated television series, has captivated audiences of all ages, with Bluey and her family delighting fans with an unforgettable live theatrical experience and its back on tour in the UK and Ireland With brilliantly created puppets, Bluey’s Big Play features the original voices from the beloved TV series, including…
P.ublished 16th March 2026
Theatre
Ralph Davis Talks About Playing The Title Role In The RSC’s Touring Production Of Hamlet
The Royal Shakespeare Company returns to Blackpool Grand Theatre with a ‘must-see’ (Guardian) new production of Hamlet. Hamlet’s mother has married his uncle, and at a less than decent interval since the death of his father. As he pulls at the threads of his not-so-happy new family, Hamlet unravels a web of deceit and immorality that leads to the ultimate crisis of conscience.
P.ublished 14th March 2026
Theatre
Brown’s Brilliant Bradford Illusions!
Derren Brown – confidence trickster, showman or just one of God’s ‘chosen ones’?
P.ublished 11th March 2026
Theatre
Polonius Perishes In Watery Grave - Hamlet
Had it not been for the Elizabethan text giving it away, the Royal Shakespeare Company’s latest take on the Bard’s greatest tragedy, Hamlet, might have been straight out of a scene from Cole Porter’s musical, Anything Goes.
P.ublished 4th March 2026
Dance
Interplay
Phoenix Dance is staging an exciting programme of dance to the Leeds Playhouse Bringing together work by internationally acclaimed choreographers Travis Knight and James Pett (Pett Clausen-Knight), Ed Myhill, Yusha-Marie Sorzano, and Phoenix Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Marcus Jarrell Willis, this dynamic programme celebrates creative collaboration, placing dialogue, contrast and connecti…
P.ublished 2nd March 2026
Theatre
Disney On Ice Glides Into Leeds
Disney On Ice is gliding back into Leeds this week with a celebration of Disney magic for the whole family. Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they lead audiences on an expedition across raging seas, snow covered mountains and even the marigold bridge.
P.ublished 2nd March 2026
Theatre
A Little Night Music
Julia Pattison
Theatre Correspondent
Desiree (Helen 'Bells' Spencer) Photo: Dan Crawfurd-Porter
A spell was cast as we were greeted on arrival at the intimate setting of Theatre@41 by the enchanting Liebeslieder Singers/The Quintet, who whisked us off for a magical evening of A Little Night Music (the iconic musical by Stephen Sondheim) with their opening musical number Night Waltz.
P.ublished 28th February 2026
Theatre
Silver & Gold: Long John Silver Restores His Reputation?
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
James Hyland as Long John Silver
James Hyland is the actor, adapter, director and producer of this spin-off from that much-loved hit called Treasure Island. In this one-hander called Silver & Gold, Hyland takes on the tricky task of reclaiming, or at least re-framing, Long John Silver's appalling reputation. Silver, we are told, was indeed a very bad man.
P.ublished 26th February 2026
Review
Peggy Sueperb? Afraid Not
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
AJ Jenks as Buddy Holly
I love the music of rock ‘n’ roll legend Buddy Holly but, as for the musical named after the 50’s icon (last night was my hattrick viewing of said show over the last nine years), I have become increasingly disenchanted with Alan James’ libretto.
P.ublished 25th February 2026
Theatre
Hit Musical Show Costumes On Show In Leeds
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
The Leeds branch of John Lewis, in partnership with the UK and Ireland tour of TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, is delighted to showcase costumes from the production ahead of its arrival at Leeds Grand Theatre, where it will play from Tue 17 March – Sat 4 April 2026.
P.ublished 23rd February 2026
Review
Nightmarishly Wonderful - A Midsummer Night’s (Bad) Dream
Bottom sniffing cocaine whilst working as a head chef, expletives in between the iambic pentameter, handguns, the music of Black Sabbath and strains of Robbie Williams’ Angels: welcome to A Midsummer Night’s Dream chateau 2026!
P.ublished 19th February 2026
Theatre
Hattrick Triumph For Theatrical ‘Soccer’ Masterpiece
Nationalistic, thoughtful and a story carved from one man’s perceived failure in front of the world, James Graham’s award-winning play, Dear England, is gripping from start to finish whether you’re an ardent fan of the beautiful game or not. And that’s because is it less about football than it is about those psychological drivers that enable, or disable, so many of us in our day to day lives.
P.ublished 18th February 2026
Review
Madama Butterfly Takes Flight As Kent Says Goodbye
As Puccini basked in the glory of La Boheme and Tosca – two of the most popular and successful works ever written for the operatic stage – little did he know that his next work, Madama Butterfly, would premier to howls of derision.
P.ublished 16th February 2026
Theatre
Tomorrow Belongs To YorkLight's Joyful Annie
They say to never work with children or animals…well, YorkLight’s production of Annie proved that it is perfectly possible! Annie is a heartwarming musical about a brave and cheerful orphan girl who lives in a strict orphanage run by the mean Miss Hannigan.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Music
Grimes Of Passion
Richard Trinder
Managing Editor
James Creswell as Swallow and John Findon as Peter Grimes with members of the Chorus of Opera North
Benjamin Britten's opera Peter Grimes has been 'revived' by Opera North. It's an ironic choice of words for this much-loved Phyllida Lloyd production, as the opera includes the tragic deaths of two young apprentice fishermen and a suicide at sea - all of whom might have benefited from some revivification.
P.ublished 14th February 2026
Review
BIZETness As Usual – Carmen
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
As a relative opera novice, what I have come to love about Ellen Kent’s touring productions is very simple: they do exactly what they say on the tin!
P.ublished 13th February 2026
Theatre
The Tower Circus Opens Early For School Holidays
Liz Coggins
Features Editor
Clowns Mookey and Mr Boo
Blackpool Tower Circus set for spectacular return so if you are having a break in Blackpool or live in the area, it's well worth a visit The world-famous Blackpool Tower Circus is gearing up for a spectacular return, with only a week to go before the 2026 season officially opens.
P.ublished 9th February 2026
Theatre
Moustache In Progress: Mark Hadfield Brings Fresh Melancholy To Poirot
Mark Hadfield as Poirot in Death on the Nile, Photo: Jay Brooks
Playing legendary detective Hercule Poirot in the European premiere of a new stage version of Death on the Nile, Mark Hadfield has the approval of none other than Sir Kenneth Branagh. The two actors are friends. "And he's been incredibly encouraging," Marks says about chats he's had with Branagh, who has played Poirot himself in three big-screen outings.
P.ublished 7th February 2026
Theatre
Crown Of Blood - Riveting And Compelling
Crown of Blood is a powerful and compelling Yoruba production retelling the story of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written by Oladipo Agboluaje and directed by Mojisola Kareem. The action is set during the civil wars of 19th-century Yorubaland. General Aderemi, fresh from saving the kingdom from invaders is promoted to be a Field Marshal, thus fulfilling the prophecy of the oracle.
P.ublished 4th February 2026
Phoenix Dance Theatre Presents World Premiere Of interplay In Association With York Theatre Royal
Later this month, Phoenix Dance Theatre will return to York with the World Premiere of Interplay (27 – 28 Feb) in association with York Theatre Royal.
P.ublished 4th February 2026
Theatre
Murder Most Foul: Inspector Morse: House Of Ghosts
Newcastle Theatre Royal promises a diverse and dynamic line up to engage, thrill, and delight audiences over the next three months. Musicals taking centre stage are the feel-good Mama Mia (Wednesday 11- Saturday 28 February) and West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, (Tuesday 3- Saturday 14 March).
P.ublished 3rd February 2026
Music
Opera North’s The Marriage Of Figaro: A Farce (The Good Kind)
Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro is a comic opera that first premiered on May 1, 1786, in Vienna, but is brought bang up to date in this witty, fizzing production directed by Louisa Miller. Performed in its original Italian, with highly amusing modern translations in the surtitles by Lydia French, Figaro is as accessible and entertaining as a Brian Rix bedroom farce.
P.ublished 31st January 2026
Theatre
Grand Opera House York Appoints New Theatre Director
Allie Long
Grand Opera House York has announced a change in leadership, appointing Allie Long as Theatre Director. Allie joined ATG Entertainment in 2017 while studying at the University of York, starting in Front of House department before progressing through marketing, operational and management roles across the UK.
P.ublished 30th January 2026
Theatre
To Kill a Mocking Bird
Sarah Crown
Theatre Correspondent
Oscar Pearce (Bob Ewell) Photo Credit: Johan Persson
To Kill a Mocking Bird was inspired by Harper Lee’s own childhood experiences, and the novel is set in a small town in Alabama in 1934. A period in time riven by social and racial injustice. Atticus Finch (Richard Coyle) is the town’s lawyer defending Tom Robinson, a black man who has been falsely accused of raping a young woman.
P.ublished 28th January 2026
Review
You'll Always Have Friends
Phil Hopkins
Commissioning Editor
The cast of FRIENDS! The Musical Parody. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography
The second you take something brilliant, nay culturally iconic, and, in marketing speak, seek to ‘extend the product lifecycle’, therein lies the slippery slope to failure. However, throw in some music and add one word at the end of your product and you almost get away with it: and so it is with FRIENDS!
P.ublished 27th January 2026
Theatre
In Conversation With Stephen Webb As The Rocky Horror Show Heads North
Graham Clark
Music Correspondent
(L-R)Stephen Webb (Frank-N-Furter), Laura Bird (Magenta), Daisy Steere (Columbia), James Bisp (Brad), Edward Bullingham (Dr. Scott). Photo: David Freeman
The Rocky Horror Show is coming back to the north to brighten up your winter with its fishnet-bedecked legs kicking high and feather boa swinging high as the Richard O’Brien risqué musical returns once again. Over 35 million theatregoers have witnessed The Rocky Horror Show, which tells the story of two impeccable college students, Brad and his fiancée, Janet.
P.ublished 26th January 2026
Theatre
Bluey’s Big Play
Bluey’s Big Play, the stage adaptation of the Emmy Award-winning animated television series, has already delighted audiences across the world—and now Bluey, Bingo and the rest of the Heeler family are back on tour across the UK and Ireland.
P.ublished 22nd January 2026
Theatre
Top Hat And Tails In Sheffield
There maybe moonlight, music, love and romance, but there’s also a brilliant cast, superb costumes, amazing rotating sets and clever lighting designs, and to pull everything together to make a wonderful show, there is Irving Berlin’s iconic musical score, which includes such well-known songs as Putting on my White Tie, Top Hat and Tails and Puttin’ on the Ritz.
P.ublished 21st January 2026
Theatre
Fawlty Towers: Chaos And Comedy Perfectly Preserved On Stage
Seeing Fawlty Towers brought to life on stage at the Leeds Grand Theatre was an absolute joy. John Cleese has taken three of the iconic 1970s sitcom episodes and cleverly intertwined them to create an excellent stage adaptation that captures the spirit and chaos of the original series.
P.ublished 8th January 2026
Theatre
Dinsdale's Scrooge Shines In Genre-Confused Christmas Carol
This year's seasonal production at Leeds Playhouse, A Christmas Carol, occasionally appears to have lost its direction. The production struggles to navigate its rather confused genre.
P.ublished 23rd December 2025
Theatre
Leeds Heritage Theatres Announces Dame Dr Linda Pollard As New Chair Of The Board
Dame Linda Pollard LGT auditorium Photo: Ant Robling
Leeds Heritage Theatres (LHT) has announced the appointment of Dame Dr Linda Pollard DBE DL Hon LLD as its next Chair of the Board of Trustees, following a comprehensive recruitment and interview process. Dame Linda will formally take up the position in May 2026, succeeding Alan Gay OBE, who concludes his final term as Chair at that time.
P.ublished 16th December 2025
Theatre
Anything Goes
Julia Pattison
Theatre Correspondent
Double trouble for Mark Simmons with Susannah Baines and Beryl Nairn playing Evangeline Harcourt. Photo: Felix Wahlberg.
On a cold December night in York, climbing aboard the S.S. American to see Pick Me Up Theatre’s all-singing, all-dancing Christmas production of Anything Goes felt like entering a cocoon of comfort and joy.
P.ublished 15th December 2025
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