From the ticket prices to the dress code (or lack thereof), anyone can go and enjoy a magical evening full of music, storytelling and suspense.
In Leeds, we’re lucky enough to have the wonderful Opera North right here on our doorstep in Leeds- the company is highly regarded as a leading arts organisation outside London, and this reason alone was enough to put our city on the map as one of the best travel destinations in 2023.
From the ticket prices to the dress code (or lack thereof), anyone can go and enjoy a magical evening full of music, storytelling and suspense.
For first timers like us, this was music to our ears.
When you think of the opera, words that spring to mind include 'big', 'bold' and 'extravagant'. Attending your first performance can of course feel daunting and somewhat overwhelming, but it definitely doesn't have to be - and Opera North well and truly showed us that.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Tickets and the Try it ON scheme
Having always wanted to go to the opera, to witness the incredible spectacle, amazing performances and be a part of the drama, we took the plunge and bought our tickets through Opera North's Try it ON membership scheme, which offers newbies a way to try out the art form for the first time.
For just £20 you can get your hands on two great seats to a performance of your choice, a tote bag filled with goodies and access to exclusive offers after the show so that you can continue to enjoy your newfound passion.
The scheme is open to anyone who is new to opera and fancies giving it a whirl.
We booked online in a flash and our tickets were ready for us to collect from the box office next door to the theatre, it really could not have been easier.
Our performance of choice was The Cunning Little Vixen - described as a bittersweet fairy tale that guides the audience through an emotional yet life-affirming reflection on the nature of life.
Performed in English, we thought this was the best option for our first visit.
Visiting Opera North for the first time: dining, drinks and drama
It was a cold February evening, and the warm lights of the beautiful Leeds Grand Theatre invited us in.
We stopped off at Opera North's restaurant Kino for a quick bite to eat before the performance. Located just next door to the theatre it's the perfect place to start your evening.
Kino, meaning cinema, is housed in a newly renovated, beautiful Grade II-listed building. The restaurant is hosting award-winning Levantine-inspired MorMor who serve delicious mezze and sharing plates focused on incredible flavours and fresh ingredients – until 1 Apr 2023.
After enjoying their pre-theatre menu and a couple of cocktails, we made our way to the box office to collect our tickets, eagerly awaiting the experience we were about to embark on.
Our tickets were swiftly checked, we grabbed a drink from the bar which had a buzzing atmosphere to it with excited theatre-goers, before making our way to our seats where our 'Try it ON' tote bags were left waiting for us.
The bags were filled with goodies, handy leaflets and tasty sweets which of course were very welcome during the interval.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Before we knew it, the curtains flew open and we were left astonished by an incredible set which resembled rolling hills complete with overhanging foliage.
The multitalented cast led us through the enchanting tale of Vixen Sharp-Ears. We remained mesmerised throughout, unable to look away from the spectacle before us.
Although this performance was sung in English, every show features surtitles which can easily be viewed on screens at either side of the stage, making it even easier to follow along with the plot.
Overall our experience at the opera was absolutely fantastic, from our meal at Kino to the final curtain call where we rapturously applauded the company for their triumphant performance.
From the outset we were made to feel so welcome, comfortable and at ease, leaving with any pre-conceived ideas of opera blown out of the water.
We left looking at what performance we could attend next, in Opera North's current exciting season alone.
And the fun definitely doesn’t stop there, with the spring season just around the corner there is lots to look forward to as Opera North embark on an exciting collaboration with Leeds-based contemporary dance company, Phoenix Dance Theatre.
From 26 May - 4 June 2023, the two companies will be joining forces to bring an electric co-production of Mozart’s Requiem to the Leeds Grand Theatre and it is certainly not one to be missed.
In this cross-cultural production, Phoenix Dance Theatre will join and performing artists from South Africa will join forces with the Chorus and Orchestra of Opera North in a unique response to the grief experienced by so many around the world during the pandemic.
So what are you waiting for? Dip your toe into the wonderful world of opera with Opera North's Try it ON scheme and find yourself a newfound hobby.
You can have a look at the list of upcoming performances and book your tickets here on Opera North's website.
Feature Image- The Hoot Leeds
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History has never been this fun – Operation Mincemeat at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House | Review
Don’t judge a book by its cover... or in this case, a musical by its posters.
Going in completely blind, I really didn’t know what to expect from Operation Mincemeat. In fact, after the first number, I found myself thinking, I’m not sure this is quite my cup of tea.
How wrong I was.
Watching Tuesday night’s performance at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, I was quickly proven wrong about what I thought a musical needed to be. There are no huge sets, endless costume changes, or hundreds of performers filling the stage. Instead, Operation Mincemeat delivers a genuinely funny, surprisingly heart-warming story with just five performers, while somehow teaching you a bit of history along the way.
If I had to sum this show up in two words? Belly laughter.
Based on the real-life British intelligence operation during the Second World War, the musical follows the unlikely group tasked with convincing Hitler that the Allies were planning to invade Greece rather than Sicily.
And honestly, if you didn’t already know it actually happened, you’d probably think someone had made it up. That ridiculousness is exactly what makes the show work. The comedy comes thick and fast, with characters, accents, and personalities constantly changing as the five-strong cast jump between roles.
And this is where the production really impressed me.The multi-roling is incredibly slick. A pair of glasses, a change in voice or a small shift in posture can completely transform a character, and somehow it never feels like a gimmick. Instead, it becomes part of the magic of the production. It’s a brilliant example of how much can be achieved on stage without throwing money at elaborate sets or costumes.
Credit: Matt CrockettCredit: Matt Crockett
But underneath all the comedy is where Operation Mincemeat really surprised me.
One of the standout performances for me came from Christian Andrews as Hester Leggatt. During ‘Roses’, Andrews completely captivates the audience while portraying an older woman writing about the experience of wives waiting for their loved ones away at war.
What makes the moment so effective is its simplicity. With little more than a pair of glasses, Andrews transforms into Hester, but there is never any sense that the character is being played for laughs. Instead, there is real care and respect in the performance.
Andrews captures the loneliness, vulnerability, and uncertainty of a woman whose life has been put on hold while her partner is away fighting. After so much laughter, the sudden change in tone really lands. For me, it was one of the clearest examples of the craftsmanship behind the show. Both the writing and performance manage to find genuine emotion without losing the production’s personality.
The music follows the same balance, moving between big, energetic numbers and quieter moments that give the characters room to breathe. It never feels like songs have been added simply because this happens to be a musical; they actually help tell the story.
And despite being based on a historical event, it never feels like a history lesson.
Operation Mincemeat at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House / Credit: Matt Crockett
In fact, I left the theatre wanting to find out more about the real Operation Mincemeat, which is probably the biggest compliment I can give it and definitely will be watching the film very soon.
If you’re heading to the theatre expecting huge dance numbers, powerhouse ballads and elaborate sets, then this might not be the show for you. But if you want something different, something that will have you laughing at one of the strangest stories in British history while leaving you amazed at just how slick a production can be with only five cast members, then this is absolutely worth seeing.
What I initially thought wasn’t my cup of tea ended up being one of the biggest surprises of the evening.
Funny, clever, completely bonkers at times and unexpectedly moving, Operation Mincemeat proves you don’t need a massive production to make a big impression. I have seen a lot of theatre productions in my life, but I have never seen anything as slick as this production, and that is pure talent at its finest.
Sometimes, all you need is a ridiculous true story, five brilliant performers and a whole lot of belly laughs.
Featured Image - Matt Crockett (Supplied)
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Retail giant Uniqlo delays opening date for new Leeds store
Clementine Hall
It's official, Uniqlo is making its way to Leeds. Well, it's about time isn't it?
You may remember last June that murmurings of Uniqlo opening in Leeds were happening.
The news spread after planning documents appeared for new ‘Uniqlo’ signage on the Store House building on Briggate.
We've been keeping our fingers crossed that the news was actually true, and it is.
Uniqlo themselves have confirmed that three new stores will be popping up across the UK over the next two years, with one of them being right here in Leeds.
Image: The Hoot Leeds
Their first store of the roll-out opened in Birmingham's Bullring, followed by a new store in Bristol this year.
Leeds was also meant to open this year, but unfortunately, Uniqlo has announced things are delayed and its opening will be pushed into 2027.
The Leeds store will be 1,100 square metres and will be located on Briggate in the old House of Fraser site.
CGI mockups from firms Thirty One Design and Ink Associates include the glass fronted store with Uniqlo’s signature red signage hanging above the door and off the building.
These will be made from sheet metal with a “sprayed finish” – sounds pretty swanky if you ask us.
Uniqlo UK COO Alessandro Dudech stated: "Uniqlo remains committed to strengthening its presence within the UK retail sector by expanding both our physical store network and ecommerce capabilities nationwide.
"As part of this strategic initiative, we look forward to introducing Uniqlo to the communities and visitors in the North of England, at the new Leeds location and simultaneously reaching customers in the South West in Bristol's Cabot Circus.".
Uniqlo is known for its affordable and minimalist clothing, stocking everything from raincoats and puffer jackets to jeans and a wide range of accessories.
We’ll keep you updated on the timeframe, as to be honest we’re just as excited as you are to be welcoming Uniqlo to the high street.
Clementine Hall -
3rd March 2023 
