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.
Colourful kites will paint the sky next weekend as Lotherton Hall is gearing up for its first ever Kite Festival.
Taking place on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August, over 30 kites of all different colours, shapes and sizes will take to the sky, flown by professional fliers from all over the country.
Visitors can expect some of the world’s largest inflatable kites, and you may even spot some in the shape of your favourite character.
Not only that, but children can bring in their bravest teddies that will, weather permitting, be dropped from the sky, equipped with parachutes so they can sail down safely to their owners.
Image: Supplied
Entry to the kite festival is included in the Lotherton Hall admission, where there will also be a fun house, bumper cars and face painting as well as food stalls to keep you fuelled up for the day.
The festival is organised by The Northern Kite Group who are behind the hugely popular kite festivals in Filey, Bridlington and Redcar, so you just know we're in for a treat.
Councillor James Gibson, Leeds City Council’s executive member for environment, said: “We’re very excited to be bringing this kite festival to Lotherton for the very first time, one which I’m sure will be a brilliant day out for the whole family.
“Lotherton is one of our most loved attractions and it has so much to offer for the summer, with a full activity schedule for the school holidays as well as Wildlife World and deer park tours.”
Sarah Duncalf, secretary from Northern Kite Group said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be bringing a kite festival to Lotherton this summer. The sight of spectacular kites filling the sky is something visitors won’t want to miss.
“From giant inflatable characters and breathtaking displays to our ever-popular teddy bear parachute drop, there will be plenty to entertain the whole family. We’re looking forward to creating a weekend full of colour, excitement and unforgettable memories, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone.”
Jacqueline Wilson and Gyles Brandreth among big names announced for Ilkley Literature Festival 2026
Clementine Hall
The north’s longest-running literary festival, Ilkley Literature Festival, has announced its 2026 line-up.
This year, a host of household names including politicians, national treasures, journalists, novelists, poets, historians, comedians, and academics will head to the quaint spa town of Ilkley for their annual literaty festival.
The festival will take place across 17 packed days from Friday 2 to Sunday 18 October 2026.
Andrew Davies, the maestro of literary adaptations such as House of Cards and Bridget Jones will open the festival, having finally turned his razor sharp pen on the most challenging subject of all: himself, with his memoir, An Unsuitable Boy.
Elsewhere, actress Rachael Stirling will be talking about her exceptional mother, Diana Rigg – icon of stage and screen and the subject of a new memoir, whilst Mark Foster, five-time Olympian, six-time World Champion and eight-time World Record holder, will be discussing his inspiring and moving memoir, My Double.
Image: Supplied
Poetry lovers can spend an evening with the Poet laureate, Simon Armitage, as he reads from his new translation of Gilgamesh, whilst much-loved poet Brian Bilston will take you on a whistle stop tour through the history of verse, reading from his new collection How to Lay an Egg with a Horse Inside.
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth will discussing the secrets for a long and healthy life, whilst icon Dame Jacqueline Wilson will introducing her brand-new book, Esme Pepper, and talking about her career, writing over 120 books for children.
Erica Morris, Chief Executive of Word Up North, the producer of Ilkley Literature Festival, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming some of today’s most exceptional writers, thinkers and entertainers to Yorkshire this autumn. The festival has been encouraging curiosity, open dialogues and a shared love of words for over half a century.
"This year, as part of the National Year of Reading, we’re putting readers at the heart of the programme with a series of book club-style events - Page Turners Classic Fiction Club - celebrating some of the most compelling novels ever written from Wuthering Heights to The Wasp Factory. From dedicated fans to first-time readers, you can be sure of a warm Yorkshire welcome at Ilkley Literature Festival.”
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 25 August, with priority bookings open for Friends of the Festival a week before, on Wednesday 19 August. You can view the full lineup for the Ilkley Literature Festival and book your tickets here.
Declan Kelly -
27th May 2026 
