Journalism and writing from the North of England, by Colin Petch.
It was pure imagination at Leeds Playhouse tonight that allowed onlookers to observe as Billy Casper’s alter-ego swooped and soared above a stage, the ingenious backdrop of which, was a gigantic 1970’s municipal climbing frame. With Lucas Button (Billy) and Jack Lord (Various roles) who’s pedigrees both include War Horse at the National Theatre, the … Continue reading Review: Kes. Leeds Playhouse
We’re incredibly lucky in Yorkshire to have a venue like the venerable Leeds Town Hall, that again and again attracts many of the world’s finest artists. On Friday 21 December – when many of us were beginning to tire of the festive build-up (that commenced on August Bank Holiday), two lynch-pins of the UK’s creative … Continue reading Review: The Emily Brontë Song Cycle. The Unthanks. Leeds Town Hall
In September 1939, as Britain and her allies stood square in the face of Nazi Germany – Austin Byrne, a 17-year-old Warp Twister at Drummonds Mill in Bradford, received some advice from his father: “Don’t you go. Don’t you go!” Austin was anxious to join the Royal Navy and ‘do his bit’, but to save … Continue reading Heart of Oak – Austin Byrne RN
On a sunny Sunday morning in Harrogate, I meet Harry – a smiley young chap, carrying a large sign promoting his Free Walking Tour. Only in its seventh week, his enterprise already feels like one of the Spa town’s ‘must do’ activities, for tourists and locals alike. I expect a ‘dyed-in-the-wool’ Yorkshireman, but along with … Continue reading Talk of the Town – Harrogate Free Walking Tour
Since completion in 1858, Leeds Town Hall has played host to many of the most influential and ground-breaking artists from across the globe. The latest – and possibly one of the most immersive in recent years, being the extraordinary Manchester Collective, who on Tuesday 9th October, hopped over the Pennines to captivate an audience with … Continue reading Review: Manchester Collective. Romantic Hero. Leeds Town Hall
‘The Leeds’ - as it’s referred to around the globe, has come a very long way since 1963 and former concert pianist Fanny Waterman’s vision of a piano competition in the very heart of West Yorkshire. The 2018 programme, which has just kicked off and runs to September 15th, could be the most exciting and … Continue reading Preview: Leeds International Piano Competition
They don’t hide their light under a bushel in Harrogate, but then again - why would you, when you’re about to host what has been described as ‘One of the UK’s best literary festivals’? This weekend, from the 18th to the 21st of October, the town rolls out the red carpet for a ‘library’ of … Continue reading Preview: Raworths Literature Festival
In April 1918, as the ‘Great War’ thankfully drew towards its end, the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service amalgamated to form the Royal Air Force. The idea of flight and its usefulness in combat, was still in doubt in certain quarters, but a small number of incredibly brave young men had … Continue reading RAF Veteran Len Parry
Whether you were born and bred in Gods Own County – or are an ‘Offcumden’, I would go to the top of our stairs if you couldn’t tell me that August 1st means just one thing: Yorkshire Day. You might don a white rose (or grow one), for this special occasion. You might even fly … Continue reading Yorkshire Day
In 2004, the National Railway Museum saved the Flying Scotsman locomotive for the nation and the following summer, they ran a number of services to the east coast from York, under the banner of the ‘Scarborough Spa Express’. We live in Nidderdale. It’s about as far from the sea as you can get, so a … Continue reading My Best Day Out
