Site search

The working class RADA: how Alison Rashley became director of the Television Workshop

Nottingham’s Television Workshop is one the most magical things about Nottingham. Their students live and work near us all, yet barely a week goes by when one of them isn’t seen on national TV or in cinemas. The last decade has seen Workshoppers appear in Game of Thrones, The Last of Us, several Marvel and Star Wars franchises and soon the new HBO Harry Potter series. We spoke to Director Alison Rashley about the Workshop, some of the challenges they face and about their new Notts County-themed play…

The Story So Far

Gig Review: Spear of Destiny at Rescue Rooms

Legendary Post Punk pioneers Kirk Brandon’s Spear of Destiny demonstrated that they are still a force to be reckoned with in today’s diverse music scene with an impressive performance that captivated the crowd at Rescue Rooms, playing a varied selection from their vast back catalogue, some of which featured on their recent Janus album. Here's what went down...

Pick Six: Nigerian-British writer Yomi Sode

For this month’s Pick Six we turned to award-winning Nigerian-British writer Yomi Sode who will be performing at Lakeside Arts on 11 June as part of Nottingham Poetry Festival.

Festival Review: Bearded Theory 2026

Now a firm staple of the local festival calendar, Bearded Theory takes place in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and is a haven for music lovers looking to kick start their festival season with plenty of wonder and family fun. Taking place over an extremely hot and sunny May bank holiday weekend, the 2026 edition boasted one of the most stacked line-ups of local, national and international talent that we can remember. To give us an insight, LeftLion contributor Marta Tavares went along to report from Catton Park…

Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2026

One of the hottest weekends of the year – what could possibly make it better? I know – Dot to Dot Festival! Always one of the best days in the musical calendar, the sun was shining bright this May Bank Holiday for the annual, jam-packed day of venue-hopping, new music discovery and general good times with good friends. Immersing ourselves in the festival’s unrivalled party atmosphere, this is what we encountered at another incredible Dot to Dot in 2026…

East Midlands Pamphlet Prize launched by Bad Betty, in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival

Notts based independent publisher Bad Betty Press has announced the launch of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize, a new initiative designed to support and platform poets living, working and studying across our region.

Art, theatre, and poetry: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 1 - 7 June

Summer's here, and Nottingham's ready for it. Here are some fantastic events happening this week which we think are worth checking out.

Los Campesinos!

Sugar

Summer in Nashville

Bittersweet streets: a look at artist Julian Pinnick's new exhibition at Broadway Gallery

Anyone who has lived in Nottingham for years will have snapshots in their mind of characters, shops and moments lost to time, but one local artist has gone a step further, memorialising fleeting scenes of Nottingham’s past in paint. Ahead of an upcoming exhibition at Broadway Gallery, Liz Johnson talks to Julian Pinnick about his creative journey and why slow art can capture a changing urban landscape

Quiet Earthe

Alt Blk Era

Rainbow Kitten Surprise

Sausage & Cider - Nottingham

LeftLion Magazine Issue #196 June 2026

Our June issue features The Foragers Kitchen, Selina Molinski (AKA Charity Shop Sue), Alison Rashley of Television Workshop, Dusty 4 Track, Green Meadows, artist Julian Pinnick, Nottingham Puppet Festival and lots more.

Film review: The Last Spy

Katherina Otto-Bernstein’s insightful documentary ‘The Last Spy’ delves into the life of Peter Sichel, a German-born Jew who served in the United States’ secret service throughout the aftermath of Nazi occupation and throughout the Cold War.

Book Review: Spring Fever by Thomas Legendre

Thought-provoking, feasible and very hard to put down, Spring Fever is Thomas Legendre's third novel set between Nottingham and London. Somewhat dystopian in its depiction of a futuristic virus that affects both people and technology, the story follows protagonist Amanda Nigh meeting American ice hockey player Craig Merlau as they set about finding a cure for Spring Fever...

Locating Lawrence: May 1924

The Great Strike and rise of fascism threaten to unsettle Lawrence’s Tuscan calm...

Rebel City Sessions - Spangled, Youth Killed It, Half Happy & Riley Marsh

The Mersey Beatles

Wolfsbane

Ibiza Orchestra

John Robb