A massive new Mardi Gras festival is coming to Leeds this summer, bringing with it a host of Ru Paul’s Drag Race stars and a special DJ set from fashion icon Gok Wan.
The park is due to be completely transformed for the event, with two full-size festival production stages forming the focal point at Soldier's Fields in Roundhay Park.
The main stage will focus on all things house and dance with huge sets from international headliners like Jax Jones, SIGALA, Disciples and Gok Wan.
Support here will come from brilliant talents closer to home like Homoelectric's Will Tramp, Leeds' icon Angel Lee, Halifax selector Dale Castell, plus Essel, Marc Leaf and Tin Tin.
On the second stage, though, it's all about commercial, pop and cabaret acts. This is where you'll be able to catch the Drag Race gang, with performances from acts like Frock Destroyers, Tayce, Baga Chipz, Blu Hydrangea and Divina De Campo.
The festival Site at Roundhay Park will feature two huge stages, a fairground, street food area and market stalls
Pop acts the Cheeky Girls, Stephanie Hirst and Danny Beard are all confirmed headliners here, performing with support from Leeds-based DJs and hosts Dave Cooper, Luke Horsfield, Mamma Bear & The Rose and Miss Orry.
As well as a full-on music programme, there'll be a host of fairground rides and a street food market packed with tasty treats to keep you going throughout the all-day event.
Street food traders confirmed as taking part so far include Pizza Loco, Nok Thai Cuisine, Jenny’s Jerk Chicken, the Savvy Baker, newcomers The Chaat Walas and Pig Love Brewing Co.
The Chaat Wallas is a new street food venture that will make iits first appearance at Proud in the Park / Image: The Chaat Wallas
There'll also be a market village between the stages and the fairground rides, with craft stalls from local makers selling unique and lovingly hand-made items.
For those really wanting to push the boat out, there'll be VIP tickets on sale giving you fast-track entry and access to an exclusive Pavilion area with its own premium cocktail bar, a retro VW campervan called Mabel.
And for those unable to make it in person, DJs Wes and Leanne from LDC Radio Leeds will be covering the event live on the day so you can enjoy all the action from home.
“Whilst Leeds is known for its amazing festivals and events, including carnival in nearby Chapeltown, there hasn’t been anything quite like this before," said co-founder and organiser Shaun Wilson.
"So many big names have performed on-stage at Roundhay Park over the years and now we get to have it as the home to debut Mardi Gras. With many UK festivals sadly being cancelled for a second year running we felt it was particularly important to spread a little joy and positivity via this unique event.
"As well as amazing musical talent, we also have craft and food stalls, plus some white-knuckle fairground rides.
"It really is going to be a day to remember and we hope it will be the start of a new tradition for the city. It is so important for people to have a safe space to come and enjoy themselves with friends and loved ones and that is exactly what visitors can expect from Mardi Gras.”
Mardi Gras – Proud in the Park is taking place on Saturday 14th August, Roundhay Park and will celebrate love in all its forms. You can grab tickets starting from £30 here.
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.
Hollywood actor Stanley Tucci spotted in Ilkley at local coffee shop
Clementine Hall
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.
Georgina Pellant -
30th June 2021 
