Phil Kirby

Leeds

Editor and Writer at the CULTURE VULTURE

Editor/writer at The Culture Vulture. Much better on paper than in person.

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Articles

THEATRE | Peter Pan, Victoria Theatre, Halifax

Dec 29, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

Is it even Christmas if you haven’t been to a pantomime with your family at least once in December, asks Jhanvi Charkhawala? With popcorn in hand, I headed to the Victoria Theatre, Halifax, to enjoy this year’s production of Peter Pan—and what a treat it was!From the moment it began in the Darlings’ cozy bedroom with Wendy, John, and Michael, the show had me captivated. And let’s not forget their pet dog, the beautiful, fluffy star of one of the cutest cameos I’ve seen to date.
THEATRE | BEAUTY and the BEAST, CARRIAGEWORKS.

Dec 9, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

Beauty, Beast, and Belly Laughs: A Festive Panto Treat at Carriageworks, reviewed by Jhanvi Charkhawala. Our Christmas jumpers are on, most of us have already figured out who we’re secretly shopping for as part of this year’s Secret Santa, and no day feels complete without at least one steaming cup of hot chocolate. That’s what I love about Christmas—it isn’t just a single day like so many other celebrations; it’s a whole season that wraps you up in its warmth.
THEATRE | Olivia: A Poor Girl’s Tale, at Interplay

Dec 2, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

Review of Olivia: A Poor Girl’s Tale at Interplay, Armley, by Jhanvi CharkhawalaImagine Oliver Twist—but with a twist! Picture Oliver reimagined as a young girl named Olivia, navigating the trials of poverty while discovering her identity in a contemporary setting. That’s precisely what Olivia: A Poor Girl’s Tale brings to the stage.
THEATRE | &Juliet at Leeds Grand

Nov 29, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

CLANCY WALKER went to see &Juliet at The Grand Theatre.
FOOD | Cafe 876, New Coffee Shop in Armley

Oct 24, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

RICHARD HIGGINS visits Cafe 876, a little slice of Kingston in Armley…Cafe 876 is a new venture opened recently by partners Andrew and Amber. Located at 266 Tong Road in Upper Wortley ( handily near to Vinyl Fixx for those with a caffeine and record addiction) it hopes to bring a new experience in a world choc/mocha full of identikit overpriced Starbucks/Costa’s/Cafe Nero’s et al. The immediate thing you notice is the appealing decor.
FILM | Six Inches of Soil

May 16, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

PHIL KIRBY went to Headingley Heart to watch a film about soil. Last week I went to see a documentary film called Six Inches of Soil, an event organised by ZestLeeds and Foodwise Leeds. Being from Yorkshire, and ancient, all I really know about soil is that it was the top layer of muck my dad’s generation had to shovel away to get to the nutty slack half a mile down. For me, soil is just the accumulated dirt that’s a bugger to shift from the grooves in your garden decking.
MUSIC | Suba Trio at The Wardrobe

May 12, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

The Suba Trio combined the essences of Senegal, Venezuela and Cuba in a joyous and playful gig at The Wardrobe, writes MIKE CHITTY. Friday May 11. Through the Noise are an interesting producer of largely classical and jazz concerts, often at interesting and intimate venues. They clearly love what they do and go to great lengths to put on a brilliant show.
DIARY | SLUG and Kalette

Mar 25, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

Kalettes. The bastard child of kale and Brussel sprouts. Sprouts are the vegetable version of the Christmas jumper. Nobody really likes them. They are a bit of a joke. And if they are left in hot water too long they go all weird and turn a funny colour. And Kale? Kale is the only vegetable I know that has it’s own conspiracy theory. Google it.
BOOKS | Confessions of a Pole Dancing Priest

Mar 19, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

When I’m not tilling the soil, hoeing the weeds, or wrangling the slugs, I like to settle down in my study with a good book. This is my study, or office. The bit that’s fit to show at least. The rest looks like the aftermath of a ramraid at the local Barnardos (not an exaggeration, ask anyone that’s been in here.)It’s where I like to read, and write, and think, but mostly stare out of the window blankly and generally indulge in avoidance, denial, and escapism for as long as humanly possible.
Growing Armley | the CULTURE VULTURE

Mar 18, 2024 | theculturevulture.co.uk | Phil Kirby

The best thing about living in Armley – or the worst, depending on your disposition – is that you can’t leave the house and wander down to Town Street without at least four people doing an Ancient Mariner routine on you. Usually it’s a neighbour who points out the latest abandoned mattress buckled against a wall in the back alley, and then spends a good ten minutes off-loading his opinion what this indicates about the state of the nation.