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.
Food critic Camilla Long visited Leeds for her latest review for The Times with her sights set on Horsforth's finest - Bavette Bistro.
Ever since opening back in 2024, Bavette Bistro nestled in the leafy suburb of Horsforth has made waves across the country for its sheer brilliance.
It's pretty much received five star reviews across the board and been handed awards from left, right and centre. And rightly so.
The Good Food Guide crowned Bavette the best local restaurant of 2024, and Michelin handed them a well deserved Bib Gourmand - so it's safe to say it's not just us who think it's really something special.
So it was only a matter of time until The Times popped in for a review, and this one is truly glowing.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The review labels Bavette as "warm, unmannered and unpretentious" as well as "authentically French".
Long describes the food as "gorgeous, confident, surprising" with a menu that "isn’t too long" and "filled with sturdy, noble dishes, whiffing mightily of the sea and the soil."
It continues: "All of it made with generosity and cheer, served fast by nimble waiters, with a long, if slightly eccentric, wine list. To bang out French dishes with this much fiddly detail and to do it to a full room is not easy. Yet all four courses came in under two hours, for about £75 a head, which in London terms is nothing.
"It’s not that this place was perfect, it’s that it was decidedly not perfect. A bit too much chat about the menus; the oeufs in the meurette not quite runny enough. But the point is: it didn’t matter. All of it came charmingly together. It felt relaxed, just right."
The review is then wrapped up with a pleasing five stars, the cherry on top of the cake.
It's a review only restaurants can dream of, and we can't think of a more deserving team - congratulations Bavette.
Team behind Headrow House and Belgrave to take over and reopen Woodside just one year after opening
Clementine Hall
The foodie-favourite restaurant and bar is now under new management.
The eagle-eyed amongst you may have noticed that Woodside has sadly been closed for a few months.
We certainly have, and ever since December we've had a Woodside Sunday roast-shaped hole in our hearts that's been gasping for one of their glorious Marmite glazed parsnips.
But luckily, it has now been confirmed that Woodside isn't going anywhere as Superfriendz, the team behind Headrow House, Belgrave and many other top Leeds spots will be taking over. Hallelujah.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Woodside opened at the end of 2024 from the owners of The Brunswick and The Melbourne.
Labelling itself as a 'neighbourhood eatery and bar', Woodside quickly became a favourite amongst Leeds foodies and was known for its smoked meats, great cocktails and stellar Sunday roasts (do I need to talk about the parsnips again).
The menu was fresh and innovative, with oysters topped with kiwi granita and an incredibly garish banana split standing out as highlights.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
We hope that the new management continues to maintain Woodside's brilliance, but mainly we're just so glad that it's sticking around.
Superfriendz take care of a whole host of spots in the city, including proper Leeds favourites Headrow House, Belgrave Music Hall and Waterlane Boathouse.
Announcing the news to Instagram, Woodside said: "After a longer-than-expected winter break, Woodside is back and will reopen on Thursday 19th March!
"Your favourite neighbourhood bar and eatery returns with the same warm welcome, but an all new management team.
"We can’t wait to see you so keep your eyes on our socials for news on great food and drinks, big screen sports, quizzes and more.
"We’d also like to thank Sam and the original team for all the hard work that went into setting-up the venue. We hope we can do it justice."
Declan Kelly -
18th September 2025 
