Forareian: Avenue Cars By Chris Speck
‘Forareian’. Anyone recognise it? It’s the only way I can think of to spell it – as it is spoken - since I’ve never seen it written down. My mother-in-law was a southerner and one of the first people to let me know I had a northern accent (despite my being subjected to elocution lessons as a child).
Poem Of The Week: The Men Who Drive Tractors By Wendy Pratt
The Men Who Drive Tractors Some of the men drive tractors too fast down the lane as if they are riding a great red bull into a Greek myth and my existence is as background to their story.
Classical Music: Schütz Weihnachtshistorie
The attention to detail and the way the musicians deliver emotional intensity are impressive; Musica Fiata authentically uses historical instruments. Their appealing contributions are charming and enchanting.
Christmas Cheer At York Theatre With Aladdin
Ooh, it’s that time of the year again—oh yes it is! York serves as the setting for this year's Theatre Royal production of Aladdin, a wonderful mashup of locations and cultures (some exotic, some not so exotic!) and a fabulous, fresh, and fizzing cast bursting to share their Christmas cheer with us all—a great start to the Christmas countdown.
All-Conquering Band - Fontaines DC
It feels like it’s been a fast rise to prominence for Fontaines DC as they have swaggered their way from cult to mainstream success in short order. It’s an impressive feat to have moved rapidly from the 2019 release of their debut album, Dogrel, to packing out an arena tour in 2024.
Classical Music: Adrian Sutton: Violin Concerto
This is an utterly delightful album, full of accessible music from the composer of the music for War Horse, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and other National Theatre productions.
Following a devastating cancer diagnosis in September 2022, Adrian Sutton made a conscious decision to change his focus, committing himself to working solely on music for the concert hall.
Perfect Alternative Pantomime At Hull Truck The Borrowers
If you’re looking for an alternative to pantomime during this festive season, Hull Truck’s Christmas production The Borrowers, created by Mary Norton and imaginatively adapted by Charles Way, is the perfect choice. Mary Norton originally wrote the story in 1952 in response to the invasion of Czechoslovakia.
Mr Snow A Brrr-Iliant Frostastic Show For Young And Old Alike
Would you believe that native Inuits (Eskimos) have over 40 words to describe snow. Mr Snow is a snowologist who can tell different snow types by smell, look and taste.
Classical Music: Frederick Block Chamber Works
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The latest disc in Chandos's 'Music in Exile' series is captivating in numerous aspects, including the composition and the insights gleaned from Simon Wynberg's insightful accompanying notes:
Blackpool's Aladdin One Of The Best Pantomimes Of The Season
If you are looking for a spectacular but highly traditional pantomime that dispenses pure magic, then Aladdin in The Globe at Blackpool Pleasure Beach Resort is for you. Once again, Stageworks World Wide Productions has created what must be one of the most spectacular pantomimes in the country.
Classical Music: Edward Nesbit Nativity
If you are looking for something different for Christmas, you can rely on the Delphian label to come up trumps. The company consistently fosters the growth of emerging composers.
Sleeping Beauty Announced For York Theatre Royal’s 2025-26 Festive Season
As Aladdin opens tonight, York Theatre Royal has announced that their fun-filled Christmas pantomime for 2025/26 will be Sleeping Beauty. An enchanting tale of adventure, fun and spellbinding magic for the whole family, tickets go on sale today.
Northern Ballet’s Revival Of A Christmas Carol
With just weeks to go until Northern Ballet’s critically acclaimed revival of A Christmas Carol comes to Leeds Grand Theatre, the city’s next generation of ballet dancers have been getting a festive flavour of what it will be like to perform as part of this magical production next month.
Call-Out For Volunteers To Take Part In York Theatre Royal’s Summer Production His Last Report
What we have here are human stories - unforgettable stories of peoples’ lives… Summer 2025 will see the world premiere of a brand-new play His Last Report, which focuses on the life and legacy of one of York’s most influential figures: Seebohm Rowntree.
The Snowman™ Film Featuring Live Orchestra Announces Huge 2024 Christmas Tour
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Carrot Productions, has announced tour dates for The Snowman™film including performances of two brand-new shows for a truly magical Christmas experience.
Paul Town The Man WHO Paints Football
Dr. Andrew Liddle continues his series on great northern artists with a review of a Bradfordian’s first book Paul Town has to be considered the finest and most dedicated football artist in the country - period! The Turf has attracted great artists down the ages intent on capturing noble steeds, the colourful silks of the jockeys, the speed and danger of the race.
Tommy Carmichael In Conversation
Doncaster's Tommy Carmichael who trained at Bath School of Music and Performing Arts and who has a host of theatre credits is appearing in Aladdin at York Theatre Royal. Who do you play in Aladdin and how do they fit into the story? I play the role of Charlie, Aladdin’s younger brother, who’s always there to give his support with many laughs along the way.
Here You Come Again - Blackpool Grand – Brilliantly Bonkers
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For a musical to hold your attention throughout a two-hour show that only has two characters on stage is a big achievement, though that was the challenge that was set—and won—as Here You Come Again arrived at The Grand Theatre in Blackpool. Kevin (Steven Webb), a forty-something gay man from Yorkshire, is living in his parents’ attic during the Covid pandemic.
Albums: Michael Ball And Alfie Boe - Together At Home
Returning with their sixth studio album, Michael Ball and Alfie Boe have chosen some of their favourite songs and reworked them in a classical style
Watson Of The Wolds
Dr. Andrew Liddle talks to an artist who in later years returned to his roots to celebrate the beauty of an often overlooked area of the county The Yorkshire Wolds is a rolling, very English landscape where pretty villages nestle in wooded hollows and ancient field boundaries are marked by hedgerows, flower-filled in summer and alive with butterflies and birds.
Classical Music: Gabriel Jackson The Christmas Story
Benjamin Nicholas’ trebles are in superb form, with excellent diction and a crisp and warm tone. The viola solo links the end of the exciting Toccata and the beginning of Tribus miraculis ornatum, highlighting the tremendous a cappella singing
Classical Music: Edward MacDowell Orchestral Works, Vol. 1
This recording marvellously captures the idyllic nature of MacDowell's most famous work, To a Wild Rose from the Woodland Sketches. The playing is lusciously sublime, so romantic and well controlled; two minutes of utter peaceful calm.
Classical Music: In Dulci Jubilo
The selection of repertoire truly demonstrates the choir's excellence, showcasing their warmth and beauty in tone, as well as their superb control, precision, and blend.
Albums: J.S. Bach Christmas Oratorio
The meticulous attention to detail and recording quality is excellent. The chorus’ control is superb; the different parts of the chorus blend perfectly, as do the soloists: Nick Pritchard is a fine evangelist, Hugh Cutting is a pleasant and sensitive countertenor, and Hilary Cronin's soprano is captivating, particularly when she combines with tenor Jonathan Hanley and Cutting.
Kynren Celebrates A Decade Of Spectacular Shows!
Following the success of its 2024 season, tickets are now on sale to experience Kynren – An Epic Tale of England in 2025. Bishop Auckland’s renowned live-action show is set to mark its 10th anniversary in 2025, with tickets now available for its milestone season.
Alan Titchmarsh And Debbie Wiseman In Conversation
As if on cue, Jack Frost has appeared at RHS Harlow Carr in Harrogate, creating a magical scene over the landscape, on one of the coldest days of the year. As I stroll through the spectacular gardens preparing for the Royal Horticultural Society's Glow Trails, the kaleidoscope of colour, the autumnal leaves, and the Glow Trails' preparations captivate me.
Pantomime: Beauty And The Beast At Harrogate
They promised it would be “packed with sparkle and festive fun” and Harrogate’s Beauty and Beast did not disappoint. We were accompanied by over 100 very excited schoolchildren from Brackenfield for one of the first performances of the season. To say it was loud would be an understatement! There was booing and hissing and laughing and joking.
Advent, Birdwatching And Radio 3
Lights, Camera, Action! Free Film & Screen Club For Young People In Bradford
National Saturday Club in partnership with Bradford College have announced a free programme designed to empower aspiring filmmakers and screen enthusiasts in Bradford. Selected local teenagers can join the Film&Screen Saturday Club, offering them a unique opportunity to explore their creativity and potential career paths in the film industry.
Yorkshire’s Youth Star In 2024 Christmas TV Ads
The battle of the Christmas TV ad is a fixture on the festive calendar, and for one acting agency based in Yorkshire, it’s proven to be a Christmas gift. Articulate Agency has four of its young actors starring in a festive advert this year. The ads are the NSPCC, Smyths Toys, O2’s and Vodafone.