Having recently grabbed headlines after a complaint about the Yorkshire play having too many Yorkshire accents, As You Like It will be making its way to Leeds this week as part of its local venue tour.
The Halifax-based theatre company will be performing at the Quarry Theatre at Leeds Playhouse from Wednesday 18 May - Saturday 21 May 2022 with a two and a half hour performance of a modern Shakespeare- and yes, it includes Yorkshire accents.
Celebrating their first full production performance without restrictions since the beginning of the pandemic and the company’s 30th anniversary, Northern Broadsides Theatre Company toured the York Theatre Royal, putting on numerous performances of Shakespeare’s As You Like It with a multi-cultural, gender diverse cast.
Earlier this year, it was this performance that attracted headlines after Theatre-goers to the York show complained about the number of Yorkshire accents featured in a recent performance of Shakespeare’s ‘As You Like It’ play.
Tom Bird, the Chief Executive of York Theatre tweeted to share the absurd complaint stating that: “We’ve got a complaint this morning @YorkTheatre from someone who left an hour of @NBroadsides #AsYouLikeIt last week, because it had “Yorkshire accents” in it. That’s Yorkshire accents, right here in Yorkshire. They want a refund”.
The statement has continued to attract attention from theatre enthusiasts and novices alike, none of which can fathom the reason for the complaint.
One comment said: “The production is brilliant! Loved every single second of it! Shakespeare performed as it was meant to be performed .. what did they want? Olivier style Received Pronunciation? Ye Gods.”
Doing it for Yorkshire!!! Yorkshire and northern voices were made to speak in verse, with clear pronunciation, passionate and terse. pic.twitter.com/mOWwxJAQ2F
— Chris Beck Possibly the best actor in my road (@creativeBECK) March 28, 2022
Others stuck up for the representation of Northern actors in the play: “But that’s one of the wonderful things about Northern Broadsides. Making Shakespeare sound like real world conversation, not 1950s RP.”
The Northern Broadsides Theatre Company is a Halifax-based performance company that celebrates Northern voices through Shakespeare and classics, so really, the complainer in question read nothing about the play in advance.
Image: Northern Broadsides
Described as Shakespeare’s “most musical and much-loved comedy”, the cast of the play have been revelling in the complaint, proudly tackling any question of their northern accents head on.
It really does appear that the only person that believes northern voices aren’t supposed to be in Shakespeare is the complaint in question- with not a single response online taking their side.
As You Like It by Northern Broadsides Theatre Company is continuing to tour around the UK throughout spring and summer 2022, including plenty of performances here in Yorkshire.
The theatre company are due to take over Leeds Playhouse this week and performing later this summer at Harrogate Theatre in July.
Feature Image- Northern Broadsides
Leeds
Heartbreak as beloved Huddersfield railway station cat dies in tragic road accident
A much-loved black cat at Huddersfield Railway Station has died in a tragic road accident.
You may remember back in 2018 when a couple of adorable kittens went viral on the internet for being exceptional members of the Transpennine Express crew at Huddersfield Railway Station.
Bolt first joined as an apprentice to Felix, the station’s famous Senior Pest Controller, and quickly became a firm favourite of the team and of people at home.
So much so, that a Facebook page set up for Bolt and Felix gained more than 167,000 followers.
Sadly, Transpennine Express released the news yesterday that Bolt had sadly passed away in a road traffic accident.
Transpennine Express Press Office (Supplied)
Announcing the news, they said: "It is with heavy hearts that TransPennine Express (TPE) announces the passing of Bolt, Huddersfield’s much-loved former station cat, following a road traffic accident.
"Bolt joined the team at Huddersfield station in 2018 as an apprentice to Felix, the station’s famous Senior Pest Controller, and quickly became a firm favourite with colleagues, customers and visitors from around the world."
Of course, tributes have been pouring in with fans expressing their sadness.
One person said: "Oh no! I remember when Bolt first arrived. R.I.P. Sweet Bolt, may Felix be waiting to show you around just as when you first arrived at Huddersfield."
Whilst another said: "This is such very sad news. When all the work is completed at Huddersfield Station, might it be possible to give another deserving cat or kitten, a home there? There are so many cats and kittens in sanctuaries all over, who need a safe and loving home."
Andrew McClements, Customer Experience & Transformation Director for TPE said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Bolt. He was a much-loved member of the Huddersfield station family and brought joy and comfort to so many people over the years.
“From his early days learning from Felix to becoming a star in his own right, Bolt left his paw prints on the hearts of colleagues, customers and fans across the world. He will be very sadly missed.”
Bolt’s former companion Felix, another much-loved member of the Huddersfield station team, sadly passed away in 2023.
Featured image - Transpennine Express Press Office (Supplied)
Leeds
National food critic crowns Leeds restaurant as one of his top three in Britain
Clementine Hall
Renowned food critic Jay Rayner is singing his praises about a certain Leeds restaurant.
And it's probably a restaurant you've walked past time and time again, but have never thought to pop in.
Named Sous Le Nez, this independent French-inspired bistro and wine bar is tucked away in the basement of Quebec House on Quebec Street, right in the heart of the city centre.
Translating roughly as "under the nose", it's particularly fitting as its food and wine is now being hailed as some of the best in Britain by Jay Rayner himself.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Feeding the people of Leeds since 1991, has some of the best food in the city been under our nose this whole time?
Appearing on the Routes LNER podcast hosted by Jenni Falconer, Rayner was asked about his favourite three restaurants in Britain to which Sous Le Nez got a very special mention.
Jay Rayner said: “Sous Le Nez, an old stager in Leeds that has been there a very long time.
“Great wine list. Nothing on the menu will surprise you but it is done very very well.”
Elsewhere on the podcast, he gives a very quick shoutout Domo in Sheffield (also now in Leeds) for their special Lobster on toast.
It's safe to say that Jay loves a bit of Leeds, back in January he gave The Highland Laddie a glowing review hailing it 'the pub that refuses to die' and in 2024 he labeled Zucco in Meanwood 'the perfect Italian'.
High, high praise indeed. You can listen to the podcast here and you can find out more about the fabulous Sous Le Nez here.
Sophie Smith -
16th May 2022 
