Site search

Theatre Review: Grindr the Opera at the Nottingham Arts Theatre

If you’ve ever opened Grindr “just for a look” and somehow found yourself three hours later discussing your entire life with a stranger, then Grindr: The Opera might feel less like theatre and more like an intervention...

Theatre Review: Till the Stars Come Down at the Nottingham Playhouse

A wedding might bring everybody together. Beth Steel is much more interested in what happens once they are all in the same room...

Festival review: the LeftLion guide to Shambala

Just over a hour away from Notts, Shambala Festival brought creativity, silliness and a great line up over bank holiday weekend. Despite a bit of wet weather threatening to dampen the fun, LeftLion editor Sophie Gargett donned some wellies and went along to check out the silliness...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #51: Notts music we're currently spinning

As autumn begins to take hold, with rain replacing the sun, the LeftLion music team are taking refuge in the best new local music. This week, the team reviews recent releases from Stone Black Witches, Amantes, People Laughing and Revenge of Calculon...

Theatre Review: Annie at Theatre Royal Concert Hall

Pieces of Orphan Annie’s dream are jigsawed together to find the truth behind her origins.  Following paths through the dark streets of 1930’s New York to political offices of power, Annie finds her heart in a place she can call home...

Review: The Last Laugh at the Theatre Royal

Fans of classic British comedy will enjoy this new show at the Theatre Royal...

LeftLion Issue #199 September 2026

Featuring playwright Beth Steel, musician Jim Ghedi, photographer Alan Lodge, The Garage in Chilwell, hidden spots in Nottingham, creative opportunities, and more...

Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above

Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...

Theatre Review: The Mantrap at Theatre Royal

Set on a wet and wild winter night, a desperate husband is searching for his missing wife and is confronted by a woman claiming to be her... 

Theatre Review: The Nightmare Room

Two women in a deadly game, in a locked room...

Undercover artist: Lucy Holt on music industry design and her August 2026 cover for LeftLion

Our August cover artist Lucy Holt talks about projection art, previous projects and inspiration…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #50: Notts music we're currently spinning

We have reached the 50th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens! Thanks to all our writers who have contributed since our first edition in 2024, and a very big thank you to all the Notts artists who have made our lives better with their music. In this edition, our music team reviews new releases from Di$mal, Wayne Banks, Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Laura Williams and ronnietoldus...

Theatre Review: Anybody For Murder at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Murder, mayhem and mistaken identities are all tangled together in a cynical comedy from two of British TV’s finest writers, as part of this year's Classic Thriller Season...

Theatre Review: Waitress at Royal Concert Hall

Now celebrating its 10th year, Waitress returns to fill Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall with the delicious scent of baking pies, and a musical that’s equal parts emotional, witty and bittersweet...

Festival review: LeftLion at Y Not 2026

The Classic Thriller Season Returns to Theatre Royal Nottingham

The Classic Thriller Season is a long-running annual summer repertory tradition at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, featuring live stage performances of comedy murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. It's back this month with three plays that will offer your annual quota of puzzles and adrenalin rushes...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #49: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this 49th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Richard Snow, Emily Ashberry, Pillow Fort and CATHEDRA...

LeftLion Issue #198 August 2026

Our August 2026 issue features EMiDORA, burlesque artist Ruby D'Woo, Warp Miniatures, the new Nottingham league football scene, and lots more. 

Theatre review: Alice In Wonderland by Niche Artefact

We peaked through the looking-glass at Revolution de Cuba for an evening of art, theatre and expression with Niche Artefact's fabulously captivating Alice in Wonderland themed stage show and exhibition...

Notts Pride, immersive theatre shows and great sporting events: here's what's on in Nottingham this week: events 20 July - 26 July

This week in Notts is just as vibrant as the last. If you're still not ready to say goodbye to the summer festivals, Boho Festival might be your solution. Or maybe you're looking for a change of pace? Whether it's an immersive theatre show at People's Hall, sporting events to get your adrenaline pumping, live music and more, here's what Nottingham has to offer this week...

Write Queer: a monthly writing group for LGBTQ+ people in Notts

Open to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, Write Queer is a monthly collective who share and progress their writing, while connecting with other writers in a supportive environment – online, or at Nottingham Central Library. We speak to organiser Richard Gidlow about the sessions, zines, Notts Pride, and the unspoken heroes of pigeons.

Theatre Review: The Market Deeping Model Railway Club at Nottingham Playhouse

The third of Nottingham Playhouse's new season by local playwrights is a charming production, written by William Ivory. It focuses on a group of seven men (and one woman) who bond and overcome personal traumas by exhibiting model railways...