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Pick Six: comedian Matt Forde

For this month’s Pick Six, we turn to political comedian and impressionist Matt Forde who brings his show Defying Calamity to the Theatre Royal on Sun 31 May.

Straight off the top: the Nottingham jam nights where musicians test their skills

Anyone who takes a deeper than average dive into Notts music will probably come across a corner of the scene with a very particular kind of magic – jam sessions – improvisation events where new connections are forged and the music is completely different each time. Acoustickle’s Parisa East and Joe Egan, founder of popular jam Perkalater, talk about why these occasions are valuable. 

Theatre Review: Matt Parker – Getting Triggy With It at the Nottingham Playhouse

Matt Parker is a best-selling author and stand-up performer, who has built a reputation for being a wizz at mathes.  As part of his mission to bring maths to the masses, he has just been in town. Leftlion crunches the numbers... 

Matthew C. Whitaker & Shunya

LeftLion's Latest Listens #40: Notts music we're currently spinning

Welcome to the fortieth edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens! This week, our music team reviews new releases from Hhymn, Kezia Gill, Matt McCarthy, Vee Adu and Terza Rima...

Review: Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures - The Red Shoes at the Theatre Royal

A stunning reimagining of the classic film

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures - the Red Shoes

Interview: Stevie Gray comedian and MC at Comedy in the Caves

There's a new venue for stand-up in the city. And it's a cave. Left Lion chats with award-winning comedian Stevie Gray on his bold gamble to shake up Nottingham's comedy circuit... 

Life behind bars: with Matt Hinton, owner at Brew Tavern

For this month's instalment of Life behind bars, we speak to the man who looks after a claimant to being Nottingham city centre's smallest pub.

Danny Donnelly on the importance of young carers being seen and heard

Across the UK, millions of unpaid carers face invisibility every day. Statistics prove that three in five adults will become a carer at some point, and two-thirds of young carers receive no support at all. Following his own personal experience as a young carer, Notts local Danny Donnelly set up CreatewithCare, a project using creativity to support the wellbeing of carers, raise awareness, and connect people to local support. He tells us about his journey and work…

The Pains of Being Pure At Heart

Run raves, poetry celebrations, the return of some loved Notts musicians and a soulful Sunday: Here's what's on in Notts this week 17 - 23 November 2025

This week, kill two birds with one stone and rave whilst you run, head to the return of Notts bands Unknown Era and Captain Dangerous, delve into some poetry, or enjoy a soulful Sunday. Here's our top picks...

Matthew & the Atlas [alt-folk]

Unspeakable Acts & Being In the Dark at Nottingham Comedy Festival 2025

Matt Rattcliffe’s Unity [ Blue Note Jazz]

Matti Klein Soul Trio [ Soul Jazz]

A laughing matter: meeting four performers at the Nottingham Comedy Festival 2025

The Nottingham Comedy Festival returns between Friday 31 October - Sunday 9 November for its 17th year, and will see a diversity of comedians from across the country visit Notts for ten days of unparalleled fun and laughter. Wondering what to expect? Below we meet four performers featured on the festival line-up…

Comedian Rosa Keaton shares highlights from the coming Club Wormhole Festival

Alternate comedy is thriving in Nottingham. And among the comedians leading that boom is Club Wormhole, very much a home for non-conventional humour. And with Wormhole Weekend coming up, now is a great time find out more... 

How the NottAlone podcast is helping Nottingham musicians to discuss mental health

In an industry often defined by image, performance, and pressure, talking about mental health can feel daunting. But here in Nottingham, a community of musicians is breaking through that silence– and the NottAlone Podcast is giving them the space to do it...

Actor Matt Gavan gives the inside scoop on Nottingham Playhouse's new play Eureka Day

Matt Gavan has acted in big hitting films and series like Christopher Robin, Masters of the Air and Pennyworth. But now he is treading the boards in Nottingham Playhouse's new comedy Eureka Day. Leftlion caught up with Matt on day two of rehearsals... 

Comedian Carl Donnelly previews his new gig at The Squire Performing Arts Centre

TV and radio comedian Carl Donnelly is touring with his first new show in five years. So what kept him so long? It's quite a story and one he shares with Left Lion... 

Comedian and activist Mark Thomas talks Ordinary Decent Criminal

Cathy Symes interviewed Mark Thomas, the political activist, comedian, actor and director who is starring in Ordinary Decent Criminal, an award-winning play coming to Nottingham's Lakeside Arts in November...

From the Kitchen: With Luke Matterson, chef at The Pudding Pantry

For this instalment of From the Kitchen we reached out to Luke Mattherson, who works at The Pudding Pantry - an independent, coffee and desserts restaurant popular across the city.

Follow the stickers: Notts filmmaker Matt Watts on the stories behind sticker art on the streets

Hidden amongst the barrage of commercial advertisements and billboards that dominate our city landscape, the more curious among us may be drawn to some unusual markings; the plethora of quirky stickers plastered on lampposts, signs and electrical boxes. Follow the Stickers is a short film by Nottingham-based documentary filmmaker Matt Watts. Here he shares his journey of tangents, discovering artists, events and more obscure messages of the underground sticker world, and telling us why we should keep an eye out for them too… 

Stage Review: Matthew Bourne's The Midnight Bell at the Theatre Royal

An intoxicating cinematic escape to 1930s Soho...