Breaking into the creative industry is never easy, but last night at Arts at the Arms’ 10th Scratch Night, it was clear that Leeds has a platform where emerging artists can genuinely flourish.
Founded by playwright Chris O’Connor, actor James Underwood, and arts facilitator Lily Craig, Arts at the Arms has grown from intimate beginnings at the historic Cardigan Arms pub to stages such as Leeds Playhouse and Sunny Bank Mills. What’s remarkable is how the vision of these three to give underrepresented voices room to experiment, develop, and be heard comes through in every performance. Being in that room, it was impossible not to feel the energy and care that underpins the organisation.
The evening opened with Sean Webster, performed by Izzie Smith and directed by Rachael Halliwell. This Northern-rooted piece explored the struggles of working-class families during the miners’ strike. Smith’s grounded, emotionally honest performance, combined with Halliwell’s thoughtful direction, made the story feel immediate and deeply human. The piece reminded everyone in the audience why regional storytelling is so vital connecting history, identity, and lived experience in a way that still resonates today.
Images: Sarah Underwood
Comedy followed, with Karen Flowerdew and Mick Tickner delivering sets that had the room roaring with laughter. Their sharp timing and clever observational humour provided a joyful, lighthearted counterpoint to the emotional intensity of the opening piece, showing the range of voices and styles Arts at the Arms brings to the stage.
A highlight of the night was Gamimi Khurana, whose folk-inspired songs explored her move from India to the UK as a student. Her performance was intimate, introspective, and emotionally resonant, weaving personal storytelling with a clear homage to her cultural heritage. The quiet power of her work lingered in the room long after the final note, a testament to the depth of talent nurtured by Arts at the Arms.
Images: Sarah Underwood
What makes this organisation truly special is the dedication of its founders. Chris, James, and Lily have created more than just a showcase they’ve built a supportive, sustainable ecosystem for Northern creatives. Their commitment ensures that emerging artists have a safe space to take risks, experiment, and connect with audiences, something increasingly rare in today’s arts landscape.
Last night’s Scratch Night was a celebration of creativity at its most raw, authentic, and vibrant. Each performance offered something unique, reflecting the diversity and vitality of Leeds’ creative community.
For anyone passionate about new theatre, comedy, music, or poetry, Arts at the Arms is more than a night out it’s an essential experience. Under the guidance of Chris, James, and Lily, Northern talent continues to take centre stage in the heart of the city, and if you ever get the chance to attend, it’s an experience that stays with you long after the lights dim.
A Yorkshire-born and bred artist and his creative team have earned the huge honour of creating the official FIFA scarf collection for this year's World Cup.
Nothing short of massive for anyone from our part of the world.
The local legend in question is Tom Pitts, who was born in Sheffield and is now based just beyond Leeds, leading the campaign right from the helm.
Hand Drawn Pixels is a graphic design and digital studio based in Otley, and while you'll see plenty of folks wearing football shirts and even the odd scarf on the town's famous pub crawl, these lot are venturing on an entirely different kind of run this summer.
In fact, the work has very much already started, with Tom and co. collaborating directly with FIFA and US manufacturers, Global Scarves, to create the World Cup collection.
With this year's tournament obviously taking place across America, Mexico and Canada, they've joined up with a big LLC, but they describe themselves as "a true English custom scarf company with American parents."
In their words, "We knit scarves for clients all over the world", with a presence both near Leeds and over in Seattle, Washington.
The fixtures themselves kick off next month (England's first game coming against Croatia on 17 June), and so Hand Drawn Pixels have been hard at work meeting the briefs for each of the nations taking part.
Here's a quick breakdown of how the opportunity came about, their vision for the project, and how everything starts for them as a whole process.
You can see more of their work HERE, but as the brand name would suggest, it's pretty simple to begin with: nothing more than a pencil.
It's worth noting that the 2026 World Cup also featured the largest number of teams in the competition's history: 48 qualified national squads, to be exact. So, technically, they've had even more designing to do than they theoretically would have in any of the previous years, too.
Tom confessed that winning this bid is obviously a big deal on its own and that seeing his creations being worn in person by supporters at the stadiums will be a "surreal" experience.
Speaking exclusively with The Hoot, he said: "It’s been an amazing creative challenge for us to truly reflect the individuality and diversity of the nations competing in this prestigious tournament on such an iconic product as the football scarf."
He went on to add that "the whole project has been a huge learning experience, gaining deeper cultural insight into every nation involved."
We can't wait to cast eyes upon a sea of colour and finely crafted fabric in unique but somehow universally familiar patterns, all designed right here in 'God's Own Country'.
Pretty Woman The Musical will be returning to the stage in Leeds next year
Emily Sergeant
“Big night out. Big. HUGE.”
This is your chance to experience one of Hollywood’s best-loved romcoms of all time, as following a record-breaking run in the West End and a sell-out first UK tour in 2023, Pretty Woman The Musical is heading back out the road again next year, and it’ll be taking to one of Leeds' most iconic stages.
With direction and choreography by two-time Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell, an original score by Grammy winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance, and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J.F. Lawton, it’s no wonder Pretty Woman The Musical is one of the most popular productions of the 21st century.
Image: Supplied
Just like the 1990 film of the same name, Pretty Woman The Musical tells the story of Vivian and Edward, two unlikely soulmates who overcome all odds to find each other… and themselves.
The musical – which is described as being a ‘dazzlingly joyous love story for the ages’ – lets you experience all the moments you know and love from the movie, all while getting to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
Image: Supplied
Stopping off at Leeds Grand Theatre next summer, the show will be in our city from 27 July through to 31 July 2027, before visiting other northern cities like York, Sunderland, Hull, and Liverpool, as well as major locations like Birmingham, Edinburgh, and Cardiff.
You can find out more about when to buy your tickets for Pretty Woman at Leeds Grand Theatre here.
Declan Kelly -
13th December 2025 
