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.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Declan Kelly -
18th September 2025 
