When To Kill a Mockingbird is staged with care, it transcends its historical setting; it does not feel like a period piece, but a mirror held up to society.
The current UK tour, opening at Leeds Playhouse before embarking on a nationwide run, shows that Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation still speaks urgently to our present moment.
Its themes of racial injustice, moral courage and empathy resonate powerfully, especially given ongoing discrimination and inequality across the UK.
While the novel and its adaptations have faced criticism, particularly around the centring of Atticus Finch and the limited complexity of Black characters, this production encourages audiences to grapple with these questions while appreciating Harper Lee’s enduring moral vision.
Image - Supplied (Johan Persson)
At the heart of the production is a talented cast led by Richard Coyle as Atticus Finch. Coyle anchors the tour with integrity and gravitas, embodying the quiet courage of a man determined to uphold justice even when the world opposes him. The large ensemble visually conveys the entrenched white supremacy of Maycomb, heightening the tension and grounding the story’s moral stakes in a palpable social reality.
The children, Jem, Dill and Scout played by Gabriel Scott, Dylan Malyn and Anna Munden, serve as narrators, a deliberate dramatic device that offsets the courtroom’s intensity with moments of levity and playful observation. This perspective injects a raw authenticity, as their curiosity and moral questioning guide the audience through the story, demonstrating how innocence and discovery can illuminate complex social issues.
The performances throughout are exemplary. Anna Munden, as Scout, shines with a blend of youthful energy and emotional depth, capturing the character’s growth from wide-eyed innocence to a source of strength and insight for her family. Andrea Davy brings Calpurnia vividly to life, expanding the role beyond its periphery in the novel to offer a commanding voice and an emotional lens into the Black community’s experiences.
Image - Supplied (Johan Persson)
Aaron Shosanya’s portrayal of Tom Robinson is both heartbreaking and captivating, particularly in Act 2 when he admits the fateful truth that he felt sorry for Mayella. Shosanya’s control and stage presence make the injustice he faces impossible to ignore, forcing the audience to confront the human cost of systemic discrimination.
The set design is equally impressive. The steel framework running through the stage serves as a stark visual metaphor for the cold rigidity of societal prejudice, while its versatility allows the space to shift from the imposing courtroom to the intimate warmth of Atticus’s home. Lighting, sound and carefully chosen props enhance these transitions, immersing the audience fully in the contrasting worlds of public judgment and private compassion.
Image - Supplied (Johan Persson)
Ultimately, this production makes clear that To Kill a Mockingbird is not just a story of the past; it is a call to action. Its exploration of bias, inequality and moral courage resonates powerfully today, challenging audiences to reflect on their own communities and responsibilities. The play is a reminder that while we cannot erase injustice overnight, we can recognise it, confront it and strive to do better.
In doing so, it affirms the continued relevance of Harper Lee’s work and the urgent need for empathy and moral courage in our own time.
To Kill a Mockingbird is on at the Leeds Playhouse until Saturday 4 October, you can get your tickets here.
A new crafting paradise has opened in Leeds city centre, right in time for the summer holidays.
Happy Hour Workshop has already been a smash hit over in Greater Manchester, and now owner Lili has brought her playful and creative business over to Queens Arcade.
The brand-new, sunny yellow crafting destination has walls absolutely crammed with colourful supplies, with a big focus on the current trend of cream gel DIY.
The level of customisation here will send an indecisive person into a tailspin.
First you can choose the item you want to customise, whether it’s a mirror, a claw clip, a pencil case, a handheld fan, a phone case, a water bottle, a notepad, or just about any other useful item you can think of.
Then you’re let loose with a bowl and dream, to peruse the many, many drawers of colourful charms you can add to your chosen product.
There are literally thousands of charms - food items like hot dogs and ice cream cones; characters like Labubus and Minions; and adorable motifs like bows and rainbows.
The wall of craft suppliesThousands of charms to choose fromYou can customise a glass tumblerOr make a notepadOwner Lili outside Happy Hour Workshop Leeds
You could spell out your name with bubble letters, make a whole buffet’s worth of fake food items, design yourself a beautiful garden, or create a new world for the K-Pop Demon Hunters.
Your final step before heading to your craft station is to choose a colour cream gel, which you can pipe onto your item like icing a cake before wedging your charms into place.
As well as the charms, Happy Hour Workshop is offering other crafting experiences like bracelet making, money box painting, paint by numbers, slime making, and loads more to come.
You’ll find it at 9 Queens Arcade and it’s open now.
Pints of Knowledge, Callum Campbell’s fastest-growing event, is coming to Leeds city centre this summer
Clementine Hall
The pub night that's packing out venues across the UK is coming to Leeds.
Let us introduce you to Pints of Knowledge, a phenomenon founded by Callum Campbell that has built a social media following of more than 160,000 people.
This is different to your average night out, it's a chance to meet new people and spark interesting conversation all in the relaxing surroundings of a pub.
The event has attracted thousands to its unique mix of expert talks, conversation and community in pubs across the UK.
Image: Supplied
And if you're looking to get in on the action then you're in luck, because Pints of Knowledge is arriving at The Wardrobe on Sunday 9 August.
So, what can you expect? From landmark legal history and the hidden pressures behind big systems to the evolving language of gaslighting and radical cinema, Sunday's Leeds programme will demonstrate exactly why Pints of Knowledge has struck such a chord with audiences across the UK.
Founder Callum Campbell, who has spent more than a decade producing live events across Britain, said bringing the concept to Leeds was the natural next step - and we're so happy he thought so.
Image: Supplied
He said: "I've always wanted to bring Pints of Knowledge to more cities across England, and Leeds has such a strong appetite for ideas and conversation. Watching this grow has been amazing, and I can't wait to bring it here.
"As more people look for experiences beyond a traditional night out, Pints of Knowledge offers something different: expert speakers, thought-provoking conversations and the chance to meet new people, all in the relaxed surroundings of a pub.
"People still love going to the pub, but they're looking for more from the experience. Pints of Knowledge is about hearing incredible stories, asking questions, meeting interesting people and leaving having learned something new."
Image: Supplied
The Pints of Knowledge programme at The Wardrobe will look like this:
12pm - Human rights lawyer Mahnoor Omer presents '10 Legal Cases that Changed History'.
2pm - Georgina Shute asks 'Why billion-pound systems are built by people who can't finish their to-do lists'.
4pm - Isobel Logan explores 'Gaslighting: The Evolution of a Concept Across Art, Relationships and Politics'.
6pm - Angelos Koutsourakis will examine 'Third Cinema, The Global South & Climate Change'.
Campbell added: "One hour you can be unpacking landmark legal cases, the next you're hearing about the psychology behind gaslighting, before finishing the day exploring cinema and climate change. That's what makes Pints of Knowledge different.
"This is just the beginning. We've seen an incredible response across the UK, and we're excited to build on that by bringing Pints of Knowledge to more cities across the country.”
Pints of Knowledge takes place at The Wardrobe in Leeds on Sunday 9 August, and you can get your tickets here.
Declan Kelly -
18th September 2025 
