The House Party, a contemporary reimagining of Strindberg's Miss Julie, bursts with raw energy and visual spectacle.
After premiering at Chichester Festival Theatre, the play now embarks on its UK tour, making a stop at Leeds Playhouse before heading to Manchester's HOME Theatre from 25 until 29 March.
Written by Laura Lomas and directed by Holly Race Roughan, the play unfolds in a dynamic, post-modern setting that is both exhilarating and unsettling.
At the heart of this production is Julie, a young woman at a desperate crossroads in life. Her 18th birthday party becomes the catalyst for a series of charged and volatile encounters.
This collaboration between two powerhouse theatre companies - Headlong Theatre, known for its visual artistry, and Frantic Assembly, famous for its contemporary movement - results in a performance electrified by style and energy.
Movement director Scott Graham transports the audience into the chaotic, adolescent world of a house party through highly stylized choreography. The seamless blending of visual, audio, and movement is one of the production’s standout elements, crafting a playground that reflects the naivety and childlike behavior of the characters.
The House Party at Leeds Playhouse, review - one party invite you don’t want to miss
Synnøve Karlsen’s portrayal of Julie is nothing short of captivating. She expertly navigates the emotional volatility of a character who is both searching for connection and consumed by loneliness.
The play’s choreography, full of wild dance numbers and frenzied intoxication, amplifies Julie’s spiralling emotional state. Karlsen’s performance is a powerful exploration of a young woman’s internal struggles with identity, heartbreak, and the longing for validation.
The supporting cast also delivers strong performances. Sesley Hope brings a haunting depth to Christine, a woman caught between loyalty and personal aspiration, while Tom Lewis, as John, plays a quiet, longing character who is entangled in Julie’s tumultuous world. His yearning for her encapsulates the central theme of unattainable love that permeates the story.
While the production’s energy is undeniably captivating, at times it overwhelms the quieter moments of reflection that underscore the deeper themes of loneliness and isolation.
The digital clock, counting down the time of the party, serves as a stark metaphor for the fleeting nature of the characters’ lives, their brief connections, and their doomed desires. However, the relentless momentum sometimes drowns out the subtler, more poignant moments that provide emotional depth to the play.
In the end, The House Party is a compelling modern take on a classic drama. Its vibrant, high-energy atmosphere pulls the audience in, while the complex emotional currents linger long after the performance ends.
It’s a tense, occasionally uncomfortable exploration of intimacy, isolation, and the messy, often painful consequences of desire.
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange is returning to the city bigger and better than before.
This year, the Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop at The Merrion Centre will be significantly expanded to support families across the city ahead of the new school year.
Following the success of last year’s initiative, this year’s pop-up will feature a larger retail space, more stock available to give away, and an extended schedule of opening dates throughout the school holidays.
The pop-up is run by Leeds charity Wear and Share Leeds, that promotes sustainability and community support, providing pre-loved school uniforms at no cost and with no referral required.
Image: Supplied
The initiative forms part of the growing city-wide movement led by the Leeds School Uniform Exchange, encouraging families to reuse school uniform rather than buy new.
Families are invited to drop in, browse, and take what they need. Items typically include shirts, polos, trousers, skirts, blazers and jumpers; P.E. kits; shoes and accessories (subject to availability).
All items are sorted by size and school where possible. Uniform donations are also welcome and can be dropped off at the pop-up during opening hours.
Image: Supplied
The Leeds School Uniform Exchange pop-up shop can be found on the upper balcony level within The Merrion Centre and will run on selected dates from Wednesday 22 July until 29 August from 10am-3pm.
Tracy Morgan, co-manager of Leeds School Uniform Exchange, said: “Over the years, our community's support has been incredible. By sharing pre-loved uniform, we've been able to help so many families and reduce textile waste at the same time. This year, with a bigger presence in the city centre, we hope to reach even more families.”
Debbie Binnersley, co-manager, added: “The Leeds School Uniform Exchange has already made a real difference for thousands of families, saving them hundreds of thousands of pounds. Expanding the Merrion Centre pop-up means we can go even further this summer.”
Cult Manchester matcha brand opens in Leeds for a summer residency
Clementine Hall
Now this is one you'll have definitely seen on your timeline.
Matcha Kyoto has gone crazy over in Manchester, with pop-ups all over the city and now with a permanent spot that constantly has queues out the door.
And now, they're bringing their little slice of Japan to Leeds with their famous matcha drinks topped with the satisfying cream swirls and glorious banana pudding.
Images: The Hoot leeds
The matcha from here is about and good and as authentic as it gets, using specialist matcha from Kyoto and whisking it to an exact science. Because trust us, it really is that deep.
They've come to Leeds in the form of a pop-up Japanese brunch cafe at Habbibi, which is located on the scenic Victoria Gate rooftop - making it the perfect spot to sip an iced matcha while soaking up the city views.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Drinks wise you can choose your base of matcha or hōjicha, then customise it however you fancy with flavours like ube, strawberry and mango.
They’re also selling premium matcha over the counter, so you can take home the same quality tea that they use in-store.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Alongside the matcha drinks you'll be able to get your hands on their pocket sandos, fluffy shokupan bread stuffed with everything from tamago prawn and teryaki chicken to bulgogi steak.
They're open now and serving every day until Wednesday 12 August, so if you've been curious to see why people happily queue around the block for their drinks, this is your chance to give them a warm Leeds welcome before they're gone.
Declan Kelly -
5th March 2025 
