Tonight was Small Island by Andrea Levy, at the (recently renamed) Leeds Playhouse. There’s a smart new entrance with café at (busy) road level, very handy for the access to John Lewis – biggest in the country? – and the splendid, even really attractive, Victoria Gate car park. Only £8.00 for shopping, dinner and the theatre. Sorry York you’ve been undercut.

A long performance of Small Island, the first half over an hour and forty-five minutes, but there was no loss of interest, no surreptitious glancing at the watch, just spellbinding throughout. Unusually, even for the people’s palace that is the playhouse – a theatre for everyone – a very mixed audience, drawn by the theme of the play. And, as the Guardian review points out, attitudes haven’t changed all that much over the last 80 years. We remember Leeds in that 1950s post-war era – the Windrush era – when West Indian bus conductors made their appearance. The language wouldn’t in any way be tolerated today but it wasn’t all negative or intentionally insulting, just common usage. No excuse though. There were gasps from the audience when the play didn’t shun the use of that language.

Leeds is, despite the doom and gloom, busy, thriving, and full of really quality shopping. The Man Behind The Curtain may have gone, but Mel C is back praising Leeds with her kids – much better than LA. The Victoria Quarter is stunning, despite the loss of Boodlam, the ultimate source of discontinued cement coloured Kickers, size 41.

Pre-theatre saw us yet again at the Fourth Floor restaurant at Harvey Nicks. You feel you’ve arrived somewhere special. Lots and lots of bustling (noise?) at 5pm, clearly most people are off somewhere else. Alas ‘Tina Turner The musical’ was cancelled last night due to illness. Cue brief groans of disappointment before the glasses were recharged. Always another night, eh? Pragmatic folk in Leeds.

The prix-fixe Spring Menu was great. Three courses complete with a peach spritz hit the spot. A sole singer with guitar (not Tina then…Ed?) provided the right amount of background; great voice but somehow all a bit repetitive. Could have done with someone playing guitar riffs alongside to give it some movement. (Anyone in mind…Ed?). All in all just absolutely fabulous darling…

Restaurant Fourth Floor Harvey Nichols Leeds