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Thought-provoking theatre, alternative rock music and local art: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 11 - 17 May

This week in Notts! Enjoy original theatre and gritty alternative rock, or head south of river and meet Ladybay's artists in their studios. Here's our top picks...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #44: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Bloodworm, No Peeling, People Laughing, Cathedra and Paytron Saint & Emzae…

Take Flight: Ria Ashcroft tells us about her circus theatre show for 0-2 year olds which comes to Lakeside Arts this weekend...

Blending theatre and aerial silks, Take Flight is a multi-sensory, interactive show from local theatre company Rebel Sparks. Coming to Lakeside Arts this weekend, we sat down for a chat with co-artistic director Ria Ashcroft from Circus Hub to hear more about this unique form of children's entertainment...

Breakin’ Convention brings Hip Hop to Notts: founder Jonzi D tells all

Founded by Jonzi D, Hip Hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention returns to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall this month. Bringing together world-class artists such as Ivan Michael Blackstock – a visionary creative behind choreography for Beyoncé - and local voices from rapper and spoken word performer Jah Digga to Hyson Green’s Take1Dance studio, in a celebration of dance, music and storytelling. Ahead of what’s guaranteed to be a boundary pushing celebration of one of the most exciting art forms to watch, Jonzi D talks to us about challenging preconceptions about where Hip Hop belongs… 

Theatre Review: Small Island at Nottingham Playhouse

A play that focuses on the harsh realities of postwar Britain for the Windrush generation and examines the consequences of empire...

Overheard in Notts: April 2026

This month you've been on about ancient clowns, hunting bison and dogs in pools...

Truth or Legend: the case of the Notts Whomobile

Matthew Blaney, our resident investigator of Notts weird history, delves into the story of Dr Who's car which was created in 1970s Notts...

Theatre Review: Cinderella Ice Cream Seller at Lakeside Arts

Lakeside Arts offers a retelling of a fairy tale classic with a blend of storytelling, live music, and theatrical magic. Cinderella's is now an ice cream factory, and therein lies the tale...

Put your records on: eleven Notts vinyl stores worth visiting on Record Store Day

On 18 April it’s Record Store Day – a celebration of that unique grassroots culture which, even in the face of constant adversity wracking the UK music scene, endures and provides a community for innumerable lovers of physical media. Since the fifties, Nottingham’s been a hub for well-visited record stores, some becoming legendary like Selectadisc – which once hosted The Clash in store – and Way Ahead – who as well as selling vinyl also sold tickets for one of Oasis’ biggest tours. Music has changed a lot over the last few years, but here’s eleven record shops still worth checking out

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #16: Notts County’s James Belshaw on his career, coming home and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before

This episode we are joined by Notts County FC goalkeeper James Belshaw who talks about his career, coming home to play for Notts County FC and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before...

Theatre Review: Death On The Nile at Theatre Royal

A British murder mystery classic takes the stage at Theatre Royal Nottingham for it's European premiere...

Enthralling theatre and crowd pleasing comedy: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April

The weather's getting warmer, and here in Notts everybody's getting out and enjoying culture, whether as part of some memorable screenings at local cinemas, or some top tier local music. Here's some events which we think you shouldn't miss...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #43: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Book of Churches, Dusty 4 Track, Firmament and JJ Lovegrove...

Theatre Interview: Sam Harry Macgregor actor and writer from Hold The Line at Nottingham Arts Theatre

Hold the Line is a new play coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre that lifts the lid on life and work at the NHS 111 telephone service. Rising star Sam Harry Macgregor, who wrote and stars in the play, talks to Leftlion about the journey...  

Free minds: the Notts open mic celebrating poetry's power

In the current climate of economic instability and political discourse, creative communities face bigger threats to remain connected. Poppy Thomason caught up with Caetano Capurro and Jasmine McCallion, the co-hosts of Free Minds – a free poetry open mic night at The King Billy pub – to ask them about the power of expression within accessible creative spaces. 

Undercover artist: April Seaworth depicts springtime Notts in motion

The stars align this month, as our regular contributing illustrator April Seaworth presents our April 2026 cover. Below April talks about her work, inspirations, and why we should listen closely to the city and to nature… 

Theatre Review: Apple of Discord at The People’s Hall

When gods gather for a wedding, chaos is never far behind. So say Nottingham's theatre company Chronic Insanity in their amazing immersive production entitled Apple of Discord. LeftLion joins the madness..

Notts County goalkeeper James Belshaw on his storied life in football

Born and raised in Clifton in a Notts County-supporting household, James Belshaw took a circular route to finally becoming Notts County’s goalkeeper. After dropping out of the Magpies youth system in 2005, at the age of 35 he finally signed for the club last January. This followed a journey via the USA, the English National Leagues, two play-off final wins for Harrogate (including one against Notts), and player of the season award at the Bristol Rovers…

Theatre Review: Horrible Histories Live (& Dead): The Concert at the Royal Concert Hall

It may be horrible but still it is a much-beloved children's TV series that educates as much as entertains. And this weekend the horribleness came to Nottingham...

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

A semester in Notts: US photographer John Dean's snapshot of Nottingham in the 70s

In the Spring of 1976, a then twenty-year-old photography student named John Dean arrived in Nottingham unaware that he would go on to capture some of the most beautiful, compelling and personal street photographs our city has ever seen. Five decades later, many of those images are being shown for the first time in a new exhibition at Bonington Gallery; A Semester in Nottingham, 1976. 

Ahead of his exhibition, held at the very university that he briefly studied at fifty years ago, Dani Bacon sat down for a transatlantic Teams call (with a questionable signal), to talk to John about his time in Nottingham, his career and why he’s chosen now as the perfect time to unveil his photographs.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #42: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Leah Wilcox, Eyre Llew and Origin One & Snowy... 

Theatre review: Miss Saigon at the Theatre Royal

Why go to London’s West End when London’s West End can come to you? Cameron Mackintosh’s Miss Saigon did just that when his spectacular production opened last night at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal...

Overheard in Notts: March 2026

This month in Notts you've been talking about court, shrinking chocolate and 'wiggly man things'...

Nottsword April 2026 answers

Did you get the answers right? Have a peek and see...