Can anything make you feel truly festive quite like a great pantomime?
This year the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto version of Beauty and the Beast is singing and dancing its way to Leeds to bring festive cheer to all and get us all ready for the best Christmas ever!
After the cancellations last Christmas, we’re expecting everyone to celebrate twice as hard this year (as they should!), and what better way than with a self-confessed “dramatic panto” full of everything you expect from a top-quality festive treat.
Filled with audience participation, silly jokes, and live crowd-pleasing musical numbers, including everything from rock anthems to recent smash hits, there’ll be something for the whole family to enjoy.
The theatre is almost ready for the debut of the rock and roll musical. / Image: City Varieties Music Hall
The talented cast do everything from singing and dancing to playing their own instruments live on stage so the energy will be sky-high and even your Scrooge-iest relative will be on their feet dancing by the very end.
We all know the classic story of Beauty and the Beast, but this Rock ‘n’ Rolled, breath-taking interpretation will be like nothing you’ve seen before.
With flashing lights, explosions, and smoke effects, this production is bound to keep every audience member engrossed and, with some surprises promised, you’ll be on the edge of your seat throughout!
The rock and roll theme has previously featured a spin-off Sleeping Beauty version. / Image: City Varieties Music Hall
This magical production by Peter Rowe is taking over Leeds Varieties from November 26th right through the new year until the 9th of January so there’s plenty of time to grab a ticket and take the whole family down to enjoy some festive fun.
Grab your dancing shoes, a Christmas jumper, and some reindeer antlers and get ready for a Christmas sing-along… and don’t forget to get an ice cream in the interval (a MUST when you go to the theatre.)
One of Leeds' most iconic brands is expanding yet again.
North Star Coffee Roasters are one of the early pioneers of specialty coffee in the North of England and among the UK’s first B Corp-certified coffee roasters.
They've been keeping the people of Leeds awake since 2013, and you'll find their coffee across the country as well as at their current city centre locations.
And there really is no stopping them as just one month after opening a lovely kiosk in the famed Victoria Quarter, North Star is opening another site on Great George Street. Hurrah!
Images: The Hoot Leeds
You can find the new North Star opposite the LGI, sporting its fabulous bright colours that will be sure to wake you up even if the coffee doesn't.
At this site there will be all the caffeinated beverages as well as house-made bakes and sandwiches available to grab-and-go.
And we don't have long to wait to check it out, as they'll be opening their doors this Monday 27 July.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
“While it’s easy to focus on the challenges facing hospitality, we still believe deeply in the role that cafés play in our city's community,” said Holly Kragiopoulos, CEO of North Star Coffee Roasters.
“They are places where people come together, to meet, to pause, to connect. Choosing to invest now is a reflection of our belief in Leeds, and in the long-term value of creating spaces people genuinely want to spend time in.”
“These new sites allow us to create meaningful opportunities for both new and existing team members,” Holly added.
“Hospitality is ultimately about people - both those we serve and those who make the experience possible. As a Leeds-born business, we’re incredibly proud to continue investing in our city. The support we’ve had from day one is what’s made this growth possible.”
Bus operator partners with Leeds hospitals to help mums-to-be make vital appointments
Clementine Hall
First Bus is partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to support vulnerable women during pregnancy.
The bus operator is providing an incredible 1,000 day tickets to help vulnerable mums-to-be make appointments.
The free travel passes can be provided by maternity teams to women mainly from minority or disadvantaged communities, helping them to attent important check-ups and appointments.
A recent review of records estimates that 100 pregnant women every month struggle to make hospital appointments as they have no access to funding support or face other barriers to transport.
Image: Supplied
First Bus will provide 100 day tickets per month until March 2027 for midwives to distribute to women based on travel needs following a financial assessment which is carried out during their initial appointment with the maternity team.
Nada Abdul-Majid, Specialist Midwife Health Equity at the Trust, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how women struggle to get to their hospital appointments if they don’t have enough money to use public transport.
“Our Haamla team carry out home visits to these vulnerable women however, it is important that families are able to travel to the hospital for scans, doctors’ appointments, labour and obstetric emergencies.”
Zoe Hands, Managing Director of First Bus Franchising which includes the West Yorkshire region, said: “Supporting communities in the areas we serve means, where we can, being able to assist people in all stages of life. Nothing can be more important than helping to ensure the health and welfare of mothers-to-be and the benefits this will bring to their newborn children.
“We’re pleased to be working in partnership with the Trust and seeing the positive impact our travel support can make to the lives of vulnerable women in Leeds.
“We’re really grateful to First Bus for providing these tickets for women so they can receive maternity care without worrying about the cost of travel to and from appointments,” added Nada. “This will make a real difference to mothers and babies.”
Sophie Smith -
19th November 2021 
