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Leeds

Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop

How cool is this?

Clementine Hall - 20th May 2026

A neighbourhood coffee shop were left starstruck as Stanley Tucci popped in for a brew.

It seems that even Hollywood A-listers love a trip to the beloved spa town of Ilkley.

Stanley Tucci, known for his iconic roles in The Devil Wears Prada, The Lovely Bones and The Hunger Games was seen in Ilkley yesterday, Tuesday 19 May.

Thirty Nine Coffee Company, a popular brunch spot on Ilkley's main street The Grove, welcomed Tucci and his crew for a coffee after he was spotted filming at a local pub just across the road.

Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co

After this, it was said he went to go watch his own film The Devil Wears Prada 2 at The Ilkley Cinema.

Posting the news to Instagram, Thirty Nine Coffee Company said: "Look who popped in for a Thirty Nine coffee - awesome to meet the amazing @stanleytucci - what an amazing chap and lovely crew - so glad you enjoyed our coffee!"

Pictures were posted of Stanley taking selfies with the staff, clad in his usual trendy get-up consisting of chunky glasses, flat cap, wax jacket and scarf.

Image: Thirty Nine Coffee Co

The owners of Thirty Nine said he loved his coffee that they served him and hey, if it's good enough for Stanley then it's good enough for us.

It's not clear what he was filming in Ilkley, but the actor is known for presenting a number of foodie documentaries so it could be something to do with this. We'll keep you posted when we know more.

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Featured image - Thirty Nine Coffee Company

Leeds

The Shawshank Redemption comes to Leeds Grand Theatre: a story of hope, survival and humanity

More than a prison story: it’s a discovery into toxic masculinity within prisons.

Adapting a film as iconic and widely loved as The Shawshank Redemption for the stage comes with enormous expectations, yet this touring production at Leeds Grand Theatre delivers a gripping and emotionally charged theatrical experience.

Rather than relying solely on the legacy of the film, the production successfully uses the intimacy of live theatre to create a darker, more psychologically intense interpretation of Stephen King’s story.

From the opening moments, the audience is immersed in the harsh world of Shawshank prison. The cold lighting, industrial staging and haunting sound design establish an atmosphere dominated by confinement, fear and institutional control.

Image: Supplied

The stripped-back set works effectively in creating a bleak and claustrophobic environment, allowing the emotional tension between characters to take centre stage. Unlike the cinematic scale of the film, the stage adaptation feels far more immediate and uncomfortable, forcing the audience to confront the realities of prison life at close range.

Joe McFadden delivers a restrained yet powerful performance as Andy Dufresne, capturing the character’s quiet resilience, intelligence and emotional vulnerability without attempting to imitate the film portrayal.

Image: Supplied

Ben Onwukwe is equally compelling as Red, bringing warmth, humour and emotional depth to the role. The chemistry between the two actors becomes the emotional core of the production, perfectly reflecting the play’s themes of friendship, survival and hope.

One of the production’s strongest aspects is its exploration of toxic masculinity within the prison system. Shawshank is presented as an environment where power is maintained through aggression, intimidation and emotional suppression.

Image: Supplied

Vulnerability becomes dangerous, while violence and dominance are treated as necessary forms of survival. Bill Ward’s portrayal of Warden Stammas embodies this culture perfectly, delivering a performance filled with controlled menace, hypocrisy and quiet authority.

However, there were moments where the production lost some emotional realism. Several stage combat sequences, intended to highlight the brutality and hierarchy of prison life, felt under-rehearsed and lacked the intensity needed to fully convey the violence of the narrative. At times, the choreography appeared slightly unstructured, unintentionally reducing the tension of scenes that should have felt genuinely threatening.

Image: Supplied

Similarly, while the minimal set design effectively reinforced the oppressive atmosphere of Shawshank, the visual staging occasionally became repetitive throughout the production. Aside from the movement of Dufresne’s cell and the recurring use of the mobile bookcase, there was limited visual variation across scenes. Although this may have been a deliberate directorial choice to reflect the monotony of prison life, it did affect the pacing at points, with some audience engagement appearing to dip during slower sections.

Despite these criticisms, the production remains a powerful and emotionally resonant piece of theatre. Through strong performances, effective direction and its exploration of institutional power and masculinity, The Shawshank Redemption captures the endurance of hope and humanity in even the darkest environments. Thought-provoking, intense and deeply moving, it is a production that earns every moment of its standing ovation.

Running from 18 - 23 May at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House, you can get your tickets here.

Read more: Inside Pardon Me – Leeds’ newest neighbourhood record bar inspired by Japan

Featured image - Supplied

Leeds

The UK’s leading K-pop retailer is opening its first Yorkshire store in Leeds

Clementine Hall

The Merrion Centre is set to welcome one of the UK’s fastest-growing specialist music retailers.

K-pop fans, you're going to love this one.

Soft launching on Friday 22 May, K-pop Korner Leeds will open initially as a pop-up store, becoming the brand’s fourth UK location and its first in the north of England.

Recognised as the UK’s leading dedicated K-pop retailer, K-pop Korner stocks official K-pop albums, signed albums, light sticks and rare collectibles imported directly from Korea.

Not only that, but the brand has developed a strong national following through fan events, trading days, concerts and exclusive product launches.

The Leeds opening follows the success of K-pop Korner’s existing stores in London Waterloo, London Euston and Nottingham, with growing demand from fans across Yorkshire and the north driving the expansion.

Anastasia Tsappis, Director of K-pop Korner, said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring K-pop Korner to Leeds and finally create a dedicated space for fans in Yorkshire and the North of England. Community has always been at the heart of what we do and we’re looking forward to building a welcoming environment where fans can meet, discover new merchandise, celebrate their favourite artists and enjoy special events together.

“Our community has been asking for a more accessible location outside London and the Midlands for a long time, so Leeds felt like the natural next step. The Merrion Centre stood out because of its vibrant atmosphere, fantastic city-centre location and strong connection to entertainment and youth culture.

“We want the opening to feel like more than just a store launch. It’s about celebrating K-pop fandom and creating memorable experiences for the local community. We’re especially excited to see fans come together for our opening events and experience the energy and excitement that makes K-pop culture so special.”

Read more: Inside Pardon Me – Leeds’ newest neighbourhood record bar inspired by Japan

Featured image - K-pop Korner