Bringing a well-known 1980s film to the stage is never an easy task, especially one so tied to nostalgia, but The Karate Kid: The Musical at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House rises to it with confidence, invention and a real sense of theatrical energy.
It reshapes the familiar coming-of-age story into something that feels made for the stage, driven by sharp choreography, thoughtful staging and performances that give it genuine emotional weight.
From the opening moments, the production makes its intentions clear visually. Japanese-inspired sliding doors, glowing panels and quick, fluid scene changes carry us between California streets, school corridors and the Cobra Kai dojo with ease. Rather than chasing realism, the design leans into style and atmosphere, using light, projection and movement to shift tone and location. The result is a pacey, almost cinematic flow that still feels distinctly alive.
At the heart of it all is the relationship between Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi, which remains the emotional centre of the piece. What gives it extra depth is the sense of absence running through both characters. Daniel is without a steady father figure, while Miyagi carries the quiet grief of losing his own son. That shared lack gives their bond a more layered quality, turning what could have been a simple mentor and student relationship into something closer to family. Over time, Daniel finds the stability he is missing at home, while Miyagi reconnects with a sense of purpose through someone who begins to feel like a surrogate son.
Gino Ochello, making his debut as Daniel LaRusso, brings a fresh, unforced energy to the role. He avoids imitation and instead focuses on Daniel’s awkwardness and emotional uncertainty, shaping a version of the character that feels grounded and believable rather than copied from the film. It is a performance that feels honest, especially in the quieter moments where Daniel’s frustration and isolation come through most clearly.
Adrian Pang’s Mr Miyagi provides a steady counterbalance throughout. His performance is warm, controlled and quietly funny when it needs to be, but never loses sight of the character’s emotional weight. The chemistry between him and Ochello gives the production much of its heart, particularly in the slower scenes where their relationship is allowed to breathe.
Abigail Amin’s Ali Mills is another strong presence. She brings a natural ease to the role and avoids turning Ali into a standard love interest, instead playing her as someone grounded and self-assured within Daniel’s unsettled world. Her vocals are especially striking, clear and confident without being pushed, adding a lift to her musical moments and giving her scenes an extra layer of emotional clarity.
The Karate Kid: The Musical is in Leeds this week. Credit: Manuel Harlan
The choreography is one of the show’s real highlights. Martial arts and musical theatre movements are blended in a way that keeps everything feeling fluid and purposeful rather than decorative. Training sequences are tightly structured and almost repetitive by design, reflecting discipline and repetition, while the tournament scenes build steadily in intensity through lighting, rhythm and ensemble precision.
On a technical level, the technical elements feel cohesive. Lighting is used effectively to separate the harsher world of Cobra Kai from the calmer tone of Miyagi’s influence, while sound remains balanced and clear across dialogue and musical numbers. The ensemble keeps the energy up throughout, moving the production forward without any real drop in pace.
By the end, The Karate Kid: The Musical works because it understands what to lean on. It is not trying to reinvent the story, but to reshape it for a live setting where movement, atmosphere and performance do the heavy lifting. With a strong debut from Gino Ochello, solid central performances and a clear visual style, it delivers an enjoyable, emotionally grounded evening that balances nostalgia with something more immediate and theatrical.
The Karate Kid: The Musical is running at Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House from 26 to 30 May - you can get tickets HERE.
Trinity Leeds is transforming Trinity Kitchen into the ultimate space to watch all the World Cup 2026 action together.
Looking for somewhere to cheer on England in the 2026 World Cup? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered.
Foodie hotspot Trinity Kitchen has been completely transformed into the ultimate fan zone with space for up to 1,000 cheering fans.
And they’ve made sure that nobody misses out on the action.
There are three super-sized 5x3m screens dotted around the space, so wherever you go you won’t miss out on a goal.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
There’s also a brand-new bar courtesy of local favourites Northern Monk named the ‘Northern Monk Trinity Tap’.
The tap will feature two, seven-metre bars with a whopping 20 beer taps to keep you refreshed and hydrated during the tournament, because cheering the lads on really can be thirsty work.
If you don’t fancy a beer there’s also cocktails, wine and soft drinks on offer as well - so nobody has to miss out.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Feeling peckish? Of course there’s 11 street food vendors serving match day meals and snacks to keep you fuelled through the games.
Choose from Caribbean jerk chicken from Jerk Junction, Indian street food from Rolawala and loads more.
Entry is completely free but if you’re after a reserved seat on a table, tickets cost just £10.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Josie Towning, Food and Beverage Manager at Trinity Leeds, said: “Trinity Kitchen will operate as normal during the day, transforming into a football fan zone in the evening.
“It will be one of the biggest World Cup venues in Leeds with three huge screens showing the games live and more dotted around Trinity Kitchen. There will be live roaming brass bands and DJs turning every England fixture into a true celebration.
“Fans can turn up and grab a space for free and we will also be offering table bookings for England games for those who want to guarantee the best spots to watch the drama unfold.
“Our line-up of street food vendors will serve bold flavours from around the world, while the all-new Northern Monk Trinity Tap will pour award-winning craft beers across 20 taps, making Trinity Kitchen the ultimate place to eat, drink and experience every unforgettable World Cup moment."
It’s all kicking off on Wednesday 17 June for England v Croatia. So rally your mates together, get your England shirts on and grab your tickets here.
Featured image - The Hoot Leeds
Things To Do
Dishoom announces official opening date for new Leeds restaurant
Clementine Hall
It's the moment we've all been waiting for, Dishoom is coming to Leeds.
The whispers of Dishoom's arrival in Leeds city centre have been going on for a while now, but over the past few weeks it has started to feel very real.
Taking over the beautiful old Flannel's site on the coveted Vicar Lane, signs started to pop up for Dishoom and work was cracking on fast.
Well now, we have an opening date - and we don't have long to wait.
Dishoom Leeds will open on Monday 3 August, with guests being able to enjoy 50% off food during an initial soft-opening period, ahead of the official opening on Friday 14 August.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
As with every Dishoom café, the Leeds restaurant begins with a story. This one takes inspiration from the extraordinary true events surrounding the explosion of the SS Fort Stikine in Bombay Dock in April 1944, a wartime disaster that sent gold bars flying across the city.
Legend has it that some of the missing gold was never recovered. Some was discovered embedded in walls and rooftops across Bombay. Other pieces quietly disappeared into the hands of lucky citizens, melted into bangles or hidden away in drawers.
Dishoom Leeds reimagines the fortune made from the gold bars and guests will discover subtle references to the glamorous mid-century details through the interiors and artwork, giving playful nods to Bombay’s golden age.
With all day dining available, guests can dine on the beloved breakfast right through to late evening feasting, with the café will serve a lovingly curated menu of Bombay comfort food inspired by the city’s cafés, grills, street stalls and family kitchens.
Shamil Thakrar, co-founder, also known as Head Babu, at Dishoom, said: “Leeds is a city with tremendous warmth, creativity and character, full of people who know the value of gathering together over good food and drinks. Bringing Dishoom here has long been a dream for us.”
"The story behind this café is rooted in one of Bombay’s most extraordinary moments – the day gold bars fell from the sky after the explosion of Fort Stikine in 1944. Amidst the tragedy and chaos, there were also tales of unexpected fortune, human resilience and hopeful reinvention. We were captivated by this, and we cannot wait to welcome Leeds into the café that pays homage to the heritage of Bombay.”
Declan Kelly -
27th May 2026 
