Recently, Leeds’ Revolution Electric Press bar was given a huge £300k makeover that turned into a vodka-lovers paradise.
As part of the extensive refurbishment, designers have created several new areas including some all-new dining spaces with large, communal tables and an open-plan dance floor complete with a new lighting show.
The bar has introduced a new ‘vodka land’ theme that will took nspiration from wild and wacky fairgrounds and funfairs – but with an adult twist. No expense was spared, and there's even a cute Dumbo to take photos with.
Now we can't think of many reasons to celebrate than with a bottomless brunch- and the menu at Revolution Electric Press will have you through the doors in no time.
It truly is a brunch classic. On the menu, there's a good few different version of a full English breakfasts: of course, there's the original fry up with free-range fried eggs, crispy bacon, sausages, charred plum tomato, fried mushrooms and a hash brown, served with baked beans and buttered toasted sourdough- but this can easily be swapped out for a veggie or vegan alternative.
Other brekkie favourites are the loaded hash browns. Designed by the Kitchen Manager at Revs Ipswich, the irresistible combination of Hash browns with nacho cheese sauce, free-range fried egg, crispy bacon, roasted red pepper, parsley, spring onions and crushed chilli flakes has made to around the country and onto the permanent menu with great success.
There's also avo on sourdough toast and a stack of pancakes layered with banana, blueberry jam and Nutella, topped with fresh blueberries and cream if you fancy something a little lighter.
However none of these options quite compare to the Brunch Pizza. Think Hand stretched sourdough base, Italian tomato sauce, mozzarella, mushrooms, sausages, crispy bacon and a free-range fried egg. It's intriguing and we can't imagine anything better to line our stomachs with.
Drinks-wise, the choices are just as vast and tempting. The bottomless brunch deal includes glasses of Ketel V&T, Aperol Spritz, Prosecco and Bloody Marys, and they're all in addition to Blank Canvas drinks, pints of Amstel, Heineken 0.0% and selected soft drinks for the designated driver.
The menu is truly limitless, so the options don't stop there. On their cocktail upgrade (an extra £10 to their usual deal), you can add pornstar martinis to the brunch’s ninety minute sitting.
Revs at Electric Press will be dishing out delicious grub and a selection of cocktails, vodka and tonics, beer and fizz every Thursday - Sunday from 11am-4pm.
You'd think this would come with quite the price tag, given the massive list of boozy drinks on offer but turns out it's one of the best-value bottomless brunches around. There's a whole 90 minutes of boozy, bottomless fun from just £20- it really doesn't get better than that.
For more information, including how to book your place at the best-value £20 bottomless, head over to the Revolution Electric Press website.
Feature Image-Revolution Bars
Leeds
The Shawshank Redemption comes to Leeds Grand Theatre: a story of hope, survival and humanity
More than a prison story: it’s a discovery into toxic masculinity within prisons.
Adapting a film as iconic and widely loved as The Shawshank Redemption for the stage comes with enormous expectations, yet this touring production at Leeds Grand Theatre delivers a gripping and emotionally charged theatrical experience.
Rather than relying solely on the legacy of the film, the production successfully uses the intimacy of live theatre to create a darker, more psychologically intense interpretation of Stephen King’s story.
From the opening moments, the audience is immersed in the harsh world of Shawshank prison. The cold lighting, industrial staging and haunting sound design establish an atmosphere dominated by confinement, fear and institutional control.
Image: Supplied
The stripped-back set works effectively in creating a bleak and claustrophobic environment, allowing the emotional tension between characters to take centre stage. Unlike the cinematic scale of the film, the stage adaptation feels far more immediate and uncomfortable, forcing the audience to confront the realities of prison life at close range.
Joe McFadden delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Andy Dufresne, capturing the character’s quiet resilience, intelligence and emotional vulnerability without attempting to imitate the film portrayal.
Image: Supplied
Ben Onwukwe is equally compelling as Red, bringing warmth, humour and emotional depth to the role. The chemistry between the two actors becomes the emotional core of the production, perfectly reflecting the play’s themes of friendship, survival and hope.
One of the production’s strongest aspects is its exploration of toxic masculinity within the prison system. Shawshank is presented as an environment where power is maintained through aggression, intimidation and emotional suppression.
Image: Supplied
Vulnerability becomes dangerous, while violence and dominance are treated as necessary forms of survival. Bill Ward’s portrayal of Warden Stammas embodies this culture perfectly, delivering a performance filled with controlled menace, hypocrisy and quiet authority.
However, there were moments where the production lost some emotional realism. Several stage combat sequences, intended to highlight the brutality and hierarchy of prison life, felt under-rehearsed and lacked the intensity needed to fully convey the violence of the narrative. At times, the choreography appeared slightly unstructured, unintentionally reducing the tension of scenes that should have felt genuinely threatening.
Image: Supplied
Similarly, while the minimal set design effectively reinforced the oppressive atmosphere of Shawshank, the visual staging occasionally became repetitive throughout the production. Aside from the movement of Dufresne’s cell and the recurring use of the mobile bookcase, there was limited visual variation across scenes. Although this may have been a deliberate directorial choice to reflect the monotony of prison life, it did affect the pacing at points, with some audience engagement appearing to dip during slower sections.
Despite these criticisms, the production remains a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of theatre. Through strong performances, effective direction and its exploration of institutional power and masculinity, The Shawshank Redemption captures the endurance of hope and humanity in even the darkest environments. Thought-provoking, intense and deeply moving, it is a production that earns every moment of its standing ovation.
Running from 18 - 23 May at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House, you can get your tickets here.
Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop
Clementine Hall
A neighbourhood coffee shop were left starstruck as Stanley Tucci popped in for a brew.
It seems that even Hollywood A-listers love a trip to the beloved spa town of Ilkley.
Stanley Tucci, known for his iconic roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones and The Hunger Games was seen in Ilkley yesterday, Tuesday 19 May.
Thirty Nine Coffee Company, a popular brunch spot on Ilkley's main street The Grove, welcomed Tucci and his crew for a coffee after he was spotted filming at a local pub just across the road.
Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co
After this, it was said he went to go watch his own film The Devil Wears Prada 2 at The Ilkley Cinema.
Posting the news to Instagram, Thirty Nine Coffee Company said: "Look who popped in for a Thirty Nine coffee - awesome to meet the amazing @stanleytucci - what an amazing chap and lovely crew - so glad you enjoyed our coffee!"
Pictures were posted of Stanley taking selfies with the staff, clad in his usual trendy get-up consisting of chunky glasses, flat cap, wax jacket and scarf.
Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co
The owners of Thirty Nine said he loved his coffee that they served him and hey, if it's good enough for Stanley then it's good enough for us.
It's not clear what he was filming in Ilkley, but the actor is known for presenting a number of foodie documentaries so it could be something to do with this. We'll keep you posted when we know more.
Sophie Smith -
10th February 2022 
