One of the most popular stage musicals is heading out on a UK tour next year, and will be stopping off in Leeds.
Based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Browning, and the iconic 2001 film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Coolidge, the multi-award winning Legally Blonde The Musical will be touring the UK and Ireland in 2026, and of course the cast’ll be coming to Leeds.
Producers ROYO and Curve have confirmed that this is brand-new production of the West End and Broadway hit musical comedy that we all know and love.
If you weren’t familiar with the fact Legally Blonde had even been turned into a musical at all, then this ultimate feel-good rom-com, based on the award-winning film, follows Elle Woods on her transformation from ‘It Girl’ fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.
Elle must prove she is more than blonde ambition, swap the changing rooms for the courtroom, and learn that ‘being true to yourself never goes out of style.’
Smash-hit musical Legally Blonde is returning to the stage in Leeds next year / Credit: Supplied
This new take on the beloved stage show features the same original music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster – who is best known for directing previous productions of Kinky Boots, The Wizard of Oz, and A Chorus Line.
Casting for the production heading to the Leeds Grand Theatre in June 2026, along with further creatives, are set to be announced in due course.
“Legally Blonde is firmly established in the musical theatre repertoire as a contemporary classic, commented Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster.
“We have assembled a ‘mad props’ creative team and together we are looking forward to creating a fresh, fun and sunny SoCal production of this great musical… we can’t wait to share the show with audiences across the UK and Europe.”
Legally Blonde The Musical will be taking to the Manchester Opera House stage from 8 – 13 June 2026.
Authentic Turkish street food is coming to Kirkgate.
Leeds city centre is gearing up to welcome yet another new food spot, and this one is all about homemade lahmacun, shawarma wraps and plenty of signature tahini sauce.
Tahin will open its doors at 10 Kirkgate, next to The Cat Cafe, and with signs already up we don't think it'll be long until they welcome their first customers.
The restaurant is listed as a Turkish restaurant that specialise in their homemade tahini sauce, hence the name.
According to the restaurant's Instagram profile which has been going for a few years, Tahin also specialises in home-made lahmacun wraps alongside shawarma wraps.
For anyone unfamiliar with lahmacun, the Turkish staple is often described as a thin, crispy flatbread topped with a richly seasoned mixture of minced meat, herbs and vegetables.
Wrapped up with fresh salad and sauces, it makes for a satisfying and flavourful lunch to enjoy on-the-go.
Their Instagram suggests that Tahin once existed before back in 2022, so although this may not be a completely new venture, we're nevertheless very glad to see them back.
Its location puts it right in the middle of one of Leeds' busiest areas, making it the perfect mid-shopping pit stop for those wandering around Briggate or stopping for a bite to eat before heading out on the town.
The new opening comes at a time when Leeds' food scene is continuing to expand, with a string of independent restaurants and street-food concepts opening across the city centre throughout 2026.
This Leeds bistro has been named one of the best restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around
Clementine Hall
A much-loved neighbourhood Leeds restaurant has been given another major accolade.
There’s no shortage of brilliant places to eat in Leeds, but one Horsforth bistro has just been given a pretty huge seal of approval - and it might be worth planning your next staycation around.
The brilliant Bavette has been named one of the best neighbourhood restaurants in the UK to plan a staycation around by Condé Nast Traveller, appearing alongside a handpicked list of restaurants from across the country.
The list celebrates neighbourhood restaurants that are worth travelling for, with the magazine highlighting the growing appeal of venturing outside of busy city centres in search of smaller, more intimate places to eat.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
And Leeds has bagged itself a spot thanks to Bavette, and we can't say we're surprised.
The French-inspired neighbourhood bistro is run by chef Sandy Jarvis and his husband Clément Cousin.
Since opening in 2024, Bavette has quickly become one of the city's most talked-about restaurants, attracting diners far beyond its Horsforth home and scooping up accolades such as the 2024 Good Food Guide's Best UK Local Restaurant, a 2025 and 2026 Michelin Bib Gourmand, and a place in the 2026 National Restaurant Awards Top 100.
Condé Nast Traveller hails Bavette as "a true neighbourhood gem", saying: "The restaurant takes its cues from the couple’s London bistro roots, serving hearty yet elegant dishes made with seasonal ingredients.”
They finish by saying: "Reservations are hard to come by - but so worth it once you get your foot in the door."
We really couldn't agree more.
And while a trip to Horsforth might not technically count as a staycation for us Leeds locals, Bavette is certainly one restaurant worth crossing the city for.
Emily Sergeant -
14th May 2025 
