STAGE & SCREEN

Gentleman Jack Northern Ballet — Tina Turner the Musical

Thespians, you’re in for a treat as the curtain is going up on loads of great shows this month. Top hats at the ready for the world premiere of Northern Ballet’s Gentlemen Jack at Leeds Grand Theatre (Sat 7 – Sat 14 Mar). Drawing from her infamous secret diaries, this vibrant new ballet tells the incredible story of the pioneering Yorkshire landowner, Anne Lister, often referred to as ‘the first modern lesbian’.

From Olivier Award-winning director Matthew Xia comes a bold new staging of Andrea Levy’s best-selling novel Small Island, a story about The Windrush Generation that reimagines a world shaped by empire and entitlement. Journey from the sun-drenched shores of Jamaica to the cold, grey streets of 1940s London at Leeds Playhouse (Wed 11 – Sat 28 Mar).

Another West End smash, TINA – Tina Turner The Musical, is also rolling down to Leeds Grand Theatre, Tues 17 Mar – Sat 4 Apr, as the last stop on its first-ever UK tour. Retelling the late queen of rock and roll’s turbulent life story, expect hit after hit that’s Simply The Best.

Over in York’s Grand Opera House, the European premiere of Agatha Christie’s iconic Death on the Nile sets sail from Tues 3 – Sat 7 Mar. The Queen of Crime’s famous whodunnit stars Glynis Barber (of Cagney and Lacey fame) and Mark Hadfield as the brilliant Hercule Poirot investigating a honeymoon turned deadly under the Egyptian sun.

On a similar nautical theme, the RSC comes up to Bradford – or should that be Bardford – bringing a bold new version of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays about revenge at the Alhambra Theatre (Tues 3 – Sat 7 Mar). Instead of the original army plot, multi-award-winning director Rupert Goold has set the drama on a naval ship, which brings some serious Titanic vibes to the impending doom. To go or not to go. Is that even a question? .

Look into my eyes… master of mind control and psychological illusion, the multi-award-winning Derren Brown has extended his sell-out Only Human show to Bradford Alhambra from Tues 10 – Sat 14 Mar. What actually happens on the night remains a closely guarded secret – maybe Brown hypnotises his audiences to keep schtumm – but expect your mind to be well and truly blown.

Later in the month, the Alhambra is once again haunted with the chilling ghost story The Woman in Black, one of the West End’s longest running productions. Expect to jump out of your seat and skin. From Tues 17 – Sat 21 Mar.

An ITV1 drama brought the dreadful Post Office scandal into the spotlight, but this Harrogate Theatre production focuses mainly on the story of Pam Stubbs, a sub-postmistress in Barkham, whose life was ruined by the now infamous computer glitch cover-up. The Glitch: The True Story of the Post Office Scandal is on from Thurs 12 – Sat 14 Mar.

It’s all kicking off at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre with The Ladies Game, a new production about a group of World War One factory girls who discover the beautiful game in their lunch breaks. Adapted by Tim Firth of Calendar Girls fame, it’ll be a belter. Until Sat 28 Mar.

Meanwhile, across town at the Lyceum, the English Touring Opera is staging a production of The Gondoliers, the Gilbert and Sullivan fizzing musical comedy about class and mistaken identity. For one night only on Fri 20 Mar.

MUSIC

Brand new venue Bradford Live has landed another big name with Gorillaz selling out the former Odeon cinema turned concert hall for two nights (Fri 13 – Sun 14 Mar). Damon Albarn and co. are touring with their blend of energetic music, visuals and energy as they warm up for their tour of The Mountain, their ninth album set to be their most ambitious yet.. See venue for returns.

Since exploding onto the music scene in 1990 with their infectious brand of Seventies funk groove, The Brand New Heavies haven’t lost their appeal. Now considered acid funk royalty, the trio is back on tour and sounding as slick and as funky as ever. Catch them at the York Barbican on Thurs 19 Mar.

Grab your leather jackets and Doc Martens and get ready to rock like never before with The London Symphonic Rock Orchestra (York Barbican on Wed 18 Mar and Bradford’s St George’s Hall on Fri 20 Mar) a collective of 12 classically-trained musicians who pump out all your rock favourites with a classical twist. Expect reimagined iconic hits from the likes of AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin and Queen at this electrifying show. Headbanging optional.

HAVING A LAUGH

If you grew up in the 90s mimicking Harry Enfield’s classic characters like Kevin The Teenager and the Scousers, then “calm down, calm down!” – the legendary satirist is coming to the Grand Opera House York for Harry Enfield With No Chums (Sun 8 Mar), a special evening in which he’ll reflect on ’40 years of arsing about in comedy’. Despite the show’s title, he will in fact be bringing some of his favourites back to life on stage, followed by an audience Q&A. Sold out, so check ticket resale sites.

Across town at the Barbican on the same night, BAFTA and British Comedy Award-winning Irish stand-up Aisling Bea (Sat 8 Mar) is finally hitting the road in her Older Than Jesus tour. Expect an irreverent masterclass in entertainment with tales of home, immigration, history, sex, babies and much more from the star of Taskmaster, QI and Last One Laughing.

Later in the month, Geordie funnyman Chris Ramsey will have them rolling in the aisles at the York Barbican with his high-energy storytelling, including life married to Rosie, his cohost of TV’s Shag, Married, Annoyed. His sellout Here, Man! show comes to town on Fri 20 Mar. Check the box office for returns.

Have I Got News For You regular, Henning Wehn will apparently be taking an unbiased look at climate change on his Acid Wehn tour, although this might be a joke. Lol. Catch the quirky German on Fri 13 Mar at Bradford’s St George’s Hall. Later in the month, Ross Noble and his flowing locks will be providing the gags on his Cranium of Curiosities tour (Wed 18 Mar).

WHAT’S COOKING?

New opening alert! Since Leeds’ only Michelin-starred restaurant, The Man Behind The Curtain, closed in 2023. The culinary world has waited with baited fork to see what chef Michael O’Hare would do next. Well, the wait is finally over as his much-anticipated new eaterie is opening this month in the picturesque village of Boston Spa.

Intriguingly titled In Lamentation, his new concept restaurant will have just 16 covers with four seats at the kitchen counter where diners will be able to watch O’Hare create his ever-evolving tasting menus of 16-20 dishes and push his creative vision to its limits. Veggies and pescatarians get their own special menu evenings. Unsurprisingly, the buzz is already huge. Tables are booking up fast, so chop chop.

ARTS & CULTURE

Louise Lockhart,Portrait,,Kathryn Taylor Photography,Photo_Copyright_Kathryn Taylor Photography, courtesy YSP — Image: Kathryn Taylor Photography | YSP

In need of an artsy fix? Head to Yorkshire Sculpture Park in West Bretton, where renowned illustrator Louise Lockhart’s first major solo exhibition Cake Crumbs & Lemonade will be occupying the Upper Space gallery from Sat 7 Mar. Louise makes colourful, folksy art depicting themes from a traditional British family day out – think old-fashioned funfair rides and ice cream parlours – using paper cut-outs and printing techniques that bring nothing but sheer joy to our lives.

In a similar inky vein, on Sat 7 – Sun 8 Mar Leeds’s biggest annual Print Fair is stamping its mark on Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley – the historic mill turned artistic hub where the TV’s fabulous The Great British Sewing Bee is filmed. This creative celebration brings together a massive community of artists, printmakers, bookmakers and art lovers from all over the county and beyond. Book onto the many print workshops and get inky fingers trying out techniques like the intriguingly-named Lego Relief.

Potty for pottery? Then Hepworth Wakefield Ceramics Fair returns on Sat 21 – Sun 22 Mar, bringing together work by around 70 independent artists and potters from around the country,, selling traditional ceramics, homeware, sculptures and jewellery. There’s also family activities and street food if you’re bringing the kids. Don’t forget to visit the galleries which are being refreshed this month with new two new exhibitions to sit alongside collection highlights by Hepworth, Lowry and Henry Moore.

Anne Lister Festival — Image Credit: Ellis Robinson

If the Gentleman Jack ballet is not enough, Anne Lister fans are in for another treat with a festival totally dedicated to the life and legend of one of Yorkshire’s most remarkable historical figures. Held across Halifax and surrounding areas, there are walk talks, workshops, performances and exhibitions all inspired by the groundbreaking Yorkshire landowner, traveller and prolific diarist, Mon 30 Mar – Mon 6 Apr.

Are you a bookworm who loves curling up with a good whodunnit? Then join four young crime authors for an evening of conversation exploring the dramatic boom in young adult crime fiction and what’s driving readers to devour twisty mysteries. And the scene of this particular crime night? The magnificent Merchant Taylor’s Hall on the 6 Mar. Book tickets with the event’s organisers, York’s brilliant crime-only bookstore Criminally Good Books.

Whether you’re a fan of comicbook heroes or just curious, here comes that God-given chance to dig out your Wonder Woman outfit – not forgetting your Lasso of Truth. Because there’s not one but two Comic Con festivals this month, where you can indulge in some guilt-free cosplay as your favourite character, meet celebrity guests, browse collectables and lots more comic capers. First up is Leeds Creed Comic Con at The Royal Armouries on Sat 14 Mar, followed by Huddersfield Comic-Con at Huddersfield Town football club on Sat 21 March. Kappow!

LET’S GO OUTSIDE

The poet Wordsworth wasn’t wrong! There aren’t many cheerier sights than daffodils waving their happy yellow heads to signal spring is well and truly here. So grab your big coat and wander lonely as a cloud – or take some friends- and enjoy hosts of them in all their glory. If you’re in York, the City Walls have swathes of them decorating their banks, and a whopping 100,000 daffodil bulbs are planted around Clifford’s Tower, which together form a spectacular yellow carpet every spring.

If you fancy a legstretch and lungfuls of fresh air with your flower spotting, then head out into the countryside to see your spring favourites in bloom. Just outside York, The National Trust’s Beningbrough Hall has thousands of bulbs bursting into flower throughout its beautiful grounds, where pooches on a short lead are also welcome. On the outskirts of Leeds, the 130 acres of Golden Acre Park really do become golden this time of year as the daffodils open their trumpet-shaped heads.

Further afield, take a stroll by the River Dove in the Farndale Valley at the heart of the North York Moors to spot the sunny blooms in the patchwork of fields and woods while over near Leyburn, Constable Burton Hall is reopening its stunning gardens for its annual Daffodil Walks on Fri 20 – Sun 22 and Sat 28 – Mon 30 Mar where you can marvel at lots of different varieties planted in its spectacular daffodil field. Meanwhile, near Northallerton, you can explore the ruins of the 14th-century Mount Grace Priory as the daffodils flutter and dance in the breeze around the grounds.

CHILD’S PLAY

If your anklebiters – or even you – are mad train enthusiasts, particularly of the steam variety, then make tracks for The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Steam Gala, running from Thu 19 – Sun 22 Mar. Expect four days of intensive steam action with different guest locomotives pulling the vintage carriages along the five-mile track made famous by The Railway Children films as it heads towards Brontë country. Book on to a tour of the workshop sheds at Haworth and don’t forget to hop off at Ingrow Station to visit the Carriageworks museum.

March-ing orders! 30+ brilliant things to do this month in Yorkshire

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