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Interview : Film and Play Director Atticus Orsborn

He may be directing films and plays in New York now, but Atticus Orsborn grew up in Nottingham. Fiercely proud of his roots, he shares the journey with Left Lion...  

Theatre Review: AMPLIFY at the Nottingham Playhouse

We chat to Set In Motion about what drives them, Splendour Festival, and their playlists...

Set in Motion are one of the Nottingham music scene’s most promising bands. Noted for catchy indie hooks, powerful songs and incredible live performances, over the last two years they’ve made a name for themselves as a guitar music powerhouse act. We caught up with vocalist and guitarist Alfie Wallace, guitarist Dillan Telford, bassist Niall Hopkins and drummer Joe Carnell - outside the Fox and Grapes - to discuss their imminent Splendour Festival set, their future plans and what they’re listening to at the minute...

Comedy Review: Omid Djalili's Namaste Tour at the Nottingham Playhouse

The Persian Comedy Powerhouse performs his critically acclaimed new show to the Nottingham audience. So what's it all about...

Music Review: The Sound of Springsteen at the Nottingam Playhouse

If any further evidence was required to confirm the sheer commitment to worshipping at the church of The Boss, then look no further than the Playhouse on Saturday night...

Comedy Review: Scummy Mummies – Hot Mess at the Nottingham Playhouse

The Scummy Mummies, Helen and Ellie, are back in town with their take on life for the 21st century mum.  And it's a lot saucier than you might think...

Setting the stage: catching up with the Nottingham Playhouse's artistic director Adam Penford

Over the last few years the Nottingham Playhouse has become one of the most buzzing regional theatres in the UK. Originally established in 1948, the venue has a long history of attracting quality actors like Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, Hugh Grant, Vicky McClure and Mark Gatiss to perform its stage. With a clutch of new awards and accolades over the last couple of years, we thought it high time to catch up with their artistic director Adam Penford…

Comedy Review: XL Comedy Club at the Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham XL Comedy Club boasts some of the hottest names on the circuit. And here are four of them at Nottingham's Playhouse. So, are they as funny as billed....  

Comedy Review: Matt Forde's End of an Era Tour at the Nottingham Playhouse

Another local lad done well, Matt Forde hits a packed out Playhouse on his End of an Era tour...

Talking comedy, clowning, and Broadway Cinema with Derbyshire actor Ada Player

Ada Player is a BAFTA-nominated actor, director and writer from Derbyshire with training from the renowned clowning school L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier. Screen Editor Sofia Jones chats to Ada about clowning, her Channel 4 comedy Peaked and her short film Spare Part. 

Theatre review: A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse

Stage reviewer Beverley Makin went along to see literary adaptation A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse, a moving adaptation by Ursula Rani Sarma in conjuction with Birmingham Rep and Leeds Playhouse.

Comedian Matt Forde talks Notts, politics, podcasts and Forest, ahead of his upcoming Nottingham Playhouse gig

Nottingham’s own Matt Forde is a comedian, TV and radio presenter, writer, impressionist and more. He’s perhaps best known for his podcast The Political Party, where he interviews politicians. However, he’s also a regular on radio, TV and even voiced Donald Trump in the reboot of Spitting Image.

Theatre review: Detention at Nottingham Playhouse

The final instalment in Gary Clarke’s masterpiece trilogy of dance theatre, Detention takes us through the shameful history of Section 28, reliving how life was like for the queer community. Capturing their fear, determination and drive that led to breakthroughs in LGBTQ+ rights as we know them today - and a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go.

Stage plays, Stewart Lee and vegan food at Sneinton Market: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 28 April - 4 May

This week in Nottingham it's all about the stage, as legendary productions like Les Misérables coincide with experimental, modern shows like Ghost Stories. Meanwhile, the Sneinton Market Avenues host one of our city's most loved markets...

Comedy Review: Jenny Éclair at the Nottingham Playhouse

Famed comedian Jenny Éclair is on a national tour to celebrate her career and new autobiography. So did she get Nottingham's audiences laughing... 

Musicals, exhibits, legendary bass players and groovy deep sea gigs: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 21 - 27 April

From a musical adaptation of British TV classics to giant replicas of Earth, take a look at what's happening in Nottingham this week...

Theatre Review: Animal Farm at the Nottingham Playhouse

George Orwell's literary classic undergoes a searing adaptation with a powerful message as relevant now as it ever was... 

We heard from the director of Nottingham Playhouse production Animal Farm at Bromley House Library

The director of a new Olivier Award-nominated stage production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm has described the “vibrant, visceral, youthful” experience awaiting Nottingham audiences. Speaking at a special ‘Meet the Director’ event at Bromley House Library on Wednesday afternoon, Amy Leach said that the play offers “the kind of experience you can only have in the theatre” and feels “very much like it’s set now”.

Fifth Word Theatre Call-Out For Pop-Up Plays

Calling Nottingham's playwrights! Pop-up plays will soon be, well, popping up across the region from car parks to libraries and beyond. But first someone has to write them!  It's a bold new idea from theatre group Fifth Word. And Artistic Director Laura Ford tells us more...

Gig review: John Cale at The Playhouse

LeftLion's Ria Serena recently had the enviable pleasure of seeing John Cale live, while he was on the road to promote his latest album, POPtical Illusion. The setlist featured selections from Paris 1919, covers ranging from Elvis to Nico and newer tracks from his latest album. The result? A performance that was nothing short of spectacular...

Comedy Review: Lou Sanders in No Kissing in the Bingo Hall at the Nottingham Playhouse

Star of Dancing On Ice, a champion of Taskmaster and regular on QI, Lou Sanders brings her unique comedy style to the Nottingham Playhouse...

Theatre Review: (the) Woman at Nottingham Playhouse

The triumph of M’s hit play is hijacked by motherhood. What happens now? This play gives the truths society would prefer not to know about...

Local playwright Jane Upton on her brand new play (the) woman

Written by Nottingham’s own Jane Upton and shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize, (the) Woman is coming to Nottingham Playhouse this month. Following a woman struggling to balance her potential as a playwright with her responsibilities as a mother, it tackles hard truths about motherhood and conflicting identities. Jane was able to take the time out of her day to talk to us at LeftLion, having raced back from picking up arts and craft supplies for her children. But, as Jane herself puts it: “Sums it up, doesn’t it?”

A new play shines a light on the first pioneer of film-length animation and it is not Disney!

Lakeside Arts hosts this intriguing and inspiring play about Lotte Reiniger...

Review: Girls and Boys at Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham's own Aisling Loftus shines in this one-woman show that takes the lid off romance and shows the darkness lurking underneath...