Things To Do

Hop aboard this Alice in Wonderland- themed murder mystery adventure on a steam train

Fall down the rabbit hole on this Alice in Wonderland-themed murder mystery night on a steam train.

The Hoot The Hoot - 8th April 2022

If you're a big fan of Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes, or you just enjoy a brilliant night of entertainment and fine dining, then this event is for you.

East Lancashire Railway (ELR) is hosting one of its Murder Mystery Nights this month, and it’s taking a topsy-turvy twist on a classic fairytale.

Having been on hold for the past two years since the pandemic, these popular events hosted by the heritage railway are back and this time they are taking you down the rabbit hole.

Image: East Lancashire Railway

You're invited to bring your best detective skills and step aboard a stunning steam train travelling through the picturesque Greater Manchester countryside.Hosted by award-winning events company After Dark Entertainment, you will be guided through some “serious sleuthing” to find out whodunit, ELR says.

Each murder mystery night features a different theme, a different cast, and a different riddle to solve – and this Saturday 30 April is the turn of ‘Malice in Wonderland’, which is of course inspired by the classic Lewis Carroll 1865 children’s novel, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

A description for the upcoming event on the ELR website reads: “It may have killed the Cheshire Cat but things just keep getting curioser and curiouser on this surreal trip down the rabbit hole.

“Can you keep your head whilst everyone else is losing theirs?”

If all of the drama wasn’t enough of a draw as it is, you’ll also get a complementary glass of sparkling wine on arrival, then enjoy a mouthwatering four-course meal, followed by tea or coffee and after dinner chocolates, all onboard the vintage train carriages as the murder happens, mystery unfolds, and the culprit is eventually found.

Image: East Lancashire Railway

Some of the other upcoming murder mystery events ELR is hosting throughout the year include Great British Bump Off, Treacherous Terror Train, Allo Allo, Hollywood Homicide, and Gatsby Manor Mystery.

Read more: A Peaky Blinders stage show is coming to Yorkshire

“An evening of intrigue, investigation and indulgence awaits,” ELR says.

Malice in Wonderland is taking place on Saturday 30 April, and the evening starts at Bury Bolton Street Station at 6:45pm, before finishing at approximately 10:15pm.

You can find out more and grab tickets via the East Lancashire Railway website.

Featured Image – East Lancashire Railway

Things To Do

Mamma Mia! The Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre – more than a jukebox musical | Review

Declan Kelly Declan Kelly

Mamma Mia! continues to resonate with audiences through its themes of love, identity and belonging.

More than 25 years after it first premiered in London's West End, Mamma Mia! remains one of musical theatre's greatest success stories.

Created by Catherine Johnson and built around the timeless songs of ABBA, the musical has become a global phenomenon, spawning countless international productions and two blockbuster films. Far from feeling dated, the 2026 UK tour, which arrived at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House on Wednesday 17 June, served as a vibrant reminder of why this feel-good favourite continues to captivate audiences.

From the opening bars, the production embraces everything that has made Mamma Mia! such an enduring crowd-pleaser. Packed with beloved hits from ABBA's catalogue, the evening is overflowing with nostalgia, joy and infectious energy.

Image: Supplied

Classics including "Dancing Queen", "Voulez-Vous" and the title number are delivered with enthusiasm and flair, earning enthusiastic reactions from an audience eager to revisit songs that have become part of popular culture.

While the music provides the soundtrack, it is the relationships at the heart of the story that give the production its emotional depth. Lydia Hunt's Sophie Sheridan is portrayed with a clear sense of character, her mannerisms and youthful curiosity making her quest to discover her father entirely believable.

Image: Supplied

Opposite her, Jenn Griffin brings warmth and vulnerability to Donna Sheridan, balancing strength with the anxieties of a mother whose past unexpectedly returns. Together, the pair share a natural chemistry that grounds the production and ensures the emotional stakes remain genuine. Their performances highlight that Sophie's journey is not simply about discovering who her father is, but understanding herself and appreciating the family she already has.

Comedy is never far away, and some of the evening's biggest laughs come courtesy of Sarah Earnshaw and Rosie Glossop as Tanya and Rosie. Their chemistry injects humour throughout the production, with much of the show's lighter side relying on the antics and personalities of Donna's lifelong friends.

Image: Supplied

However, it is "Does Your Mother Know" that emerges as one of the evening's defining moments. Sarah Earnshaw's Tanya commands the stage with confidence and charisma, while Joseph Vella's Pepper matches her energy perfectly, creating a number brimming with playful humour and infectious fun. Their comic timing and exaggerated flirtation are executed with precision, allowing the audience to fully embrace the absurdity of the situation.

More than simply providing laughs, the sequence encapsulates what makes Mamma Mia! such an enduring piece of musical theatre. The number is staged with a sense of joy and theatricality that transforms a familiar ABBA hit but also memorable moments from the film we all recognise and love.

Image: Supplied

The audience's reaction throughout demonstrated just how effectively the show uses comedy to complement its emotional moments, and the chemistry between Earnshaw and Vella ensures that "Does Your Mother Know" becomes far more than a novelty number. Instead, it stands as one of the production's finest examples of how Mamma Mia! expertly balances humour, character and musical performance, delivering a sequence that is both hilarious and quintessentially entertaining.

Visually, the production retains the sun-soaked charm that audiences have come to expect. Colourful costumes, energetic choreography and the idyllic Greek island setting create an atmosphere of escapism, transporting the audience from Yorkshire to the Mediterranean in an instant. The pace rarely falters, allowing the musical numbers and quieter moments to complement one another seamlessly.

Beneath the glitter, platform boots and familiar melodies, however, lies a surprisingly poignant message. Mamma Mia! is ultimately a story about identity, family and accepting that life does not always provide neat answers.

Image: Supplied

Sophie's search for her father reveals that the versions of ourselves we think we need to find may not be the answers we are searching for after all. Instead, the musical celebrates love, friendship and the families we create, reminding audiences that happiness often comes from embracing what is already in front of us rather than chasing perfection.

More than two decades after its debut, Mamma Mia! The Musical continues to prove why it has become a modern classic. Blending iconic songs, heartfelt performances and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this latest touring production leaves audiences exactly as it should: smiling, singing and perhaps viewing the meaning of family a little differently.

Running at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House from 16 June to 27 June, you can get your tickets here.

Read more: A daytime rave where you can be in bed by 8pm is returning to Leeds

Featured image - Supplied

Things To Do

A huge football fan zone with space for up to 1,000 fans has opened in Leeds

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.

Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.

Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans. 

And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action. 

There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal. 

Images: The Hoot Leeds

There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’. 

The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work. 

If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out. 

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.

Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more. 

Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.

“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.

“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.

“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."

It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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