Leeds Carnival is one of the longest-running in the UK and many have been waiting eagerly to find out how the programming will run in 2021, as restrictions begin to ease around the city.
Founded in the city in 1967 by Dr France, it is the celebration of the emancipation of slavery and attracts over 150,000 people each year.
Last year's event was forced to go entirely virtual, with all the festivities having to be moved online due to COVID. Now, after much anticipation, organisers have confirmed plans for how the festival will go ahead in 2021 in an announcement made earlier this week.
The festival is run entirely by volunteers who specialise in preserving and protecting Caribbean arts, culture and heritage.
A decision has been made for 2021's festival to go ahead, but organisers have confirmed the event will only be partly physical this year - with the rest held online.
The uncertainty surrounding the easing of restrictions on June 21 has impacted designers - meaning they haven't had enough time to design and create their costumes, as they usually would.
In response, people are being asked to get out their old costumes and 'upcycle' them instead as part of the Legacy Carnival celebrations - which will see the parade take a digital form this year.
Chairperson and Founder of LWIC, Dr Arthur France, said: “We are passionate about promoting and protecting our cultural heritage and carnival is the legacy of what our fore parents went through.
"Legacy Carnival here we come.
"Bring out your old costumes, upcycle them because we’re jamming still!”
As well as bringing together favourite popular elements like the Carnival Chronicles and Prince and Princess show, this year's festival will also introduce some new elements like its “Mas Makers” Carnival Volunteers.
This programme incorporates training for a number of committed volunteers to work with and build the Carnival Events Team, and will serve to help grow carnival's capacity and contribute to continuing to build its legacy.
Vice Chair LWIC, Bernadette Albert, stated: "It is important that we train the next generation of youth about the importance of Carnival; not only because it’s a good time on the road or for a weekend but so that they can learn and in turn teach others about the importance, history and meaning of Carnival.
"This will ensure we protect, preserve and promote our Caribbean heritage and culture in the community.”
The programme for Leeds 2021 Legacy Carnival is as follows:
Celebration of Emancipation Church Service – Sunday, August 1st
Carnival Chronicles – Saturday, August 14th
Prince and Princess Show– Sunday, August 22nd
King and Queen Show – Friday, August 27th
J’ouvert Morning – Monday, August 30th
Virtual Carnival Day – Monday, August 30th
Leeds
Leeds zoo named one of the best in the country as it receives national mark of excellence by experts
Lotherton Hall’s Wildlife World has received an official mark of excellence from the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquarium.
After a visit from experts earlier this year, the Wildlife World at Lotherton Hall is now officially credited by the organisation.
The achievement recognises the high quality of the zoo in animal welfare, education, conservation and research.
The accreditation also ranks the zoo as one of the best in the country.
The centre is home to a range of wildlife species including wallabies, capybaras, penguins, emus and critically endangered Visayan warty pigs.
Image: Supplied, Leeds City Council
The zoo also takes part in international breeding and conservation programmes.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the staff at Lotherton Wildlife World on the great work they undertake in making sure that the zoo holds a world class standard. This accreditation shows our high standard of animal care and the passion we have for helping support international conservation efforts.
“At both Wildlife World and Tropical World there’ll be lots going on for Love Your Zoo week, and they both make a great day out for the whole family.”
Dr Jo Judge, the CEO of BIAZA congratulated Wildlife World on their achievement. She said: “Receiving accredited status is not an easy thing to do. It is testament to the passion and hard work of every member of staff.”
“Our accreditation program means visitors can be sure that BIAZA zoos and aquariums are dedicated to looking after their animals to the highest standard and to inspirational work in conservation and education. We need good zoos more than ever. We face a nature crisis and we have the power to make a big difference.”
You can find out more about Lotherton Hall's Wildlife World here.
The Shawshank Redemption comes to Leeds Grand Theatre: a story of hope, survival and humanity
Declan Kelly
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.
Georgina Pellant -
8th June 2021 
