Animal instincts

Spring is - kind of, give or take a few snow flurries - in the air so inspired by that and one of my housemate's recent animal urges (that's my cat Connie by the way, I've not taken in a randy lodger), my 'out and about' slot on Radio Leeds for this month is all animal-themed. Even if I am really stretching the theme at times...

I'm not just making it up either - little and large, indoor and out, big screen and small stage there just seems to be a lot of animal-related stuff to go to at the moment.

We've had Cats and Swan Lake just for starters at the Grand in Leeds, and then at the West Yorkshire Playhouse there was Year of the Rat starring Hugo Speer. OK, so it was actually about George Orwell's later years but it did feature the very talented Paul Kemp as Boxer, Pig and Rat (characters from Animal Farm I believe). Playing a person convincingly is one thing, but a scary performance as a pig takes some skills.

It was a little odd at times, but on the whole a good production - Hugo Speer's performance was pretty good too and he's not bad to look at either, which always helps.

Some other interest was added by Neil Morrissey who I spotted is a friend of Mr Speer's and was there to support his pal. Unfortunately he was too tight to pay four quid for a programme and was heard to say "What for a normal programme, oh I'll get Hugo to get me one." La di da, eh?

I'm also off to see Cattle Call - a new Phoenix Dance production - at the Playhouse tonight, which yet again I understand is not about cows but it fits the theme nicely too.

The best of the rest includes things for kids at local farms, events for National Pet Month (what do you mean you didn't know it was that time of year again already?), and Roar of the Kalahari at the IMAX in Bradford.

The icing on the cake for me this month though has to be a roller disco. What's that I hear you cry "There's no animal theme there Clancy". And of course you'd be right, except that you'll find it on every Tuesday...at Tiger Tiger!

I won't insult you further by signing off with some suitably naff animal pun, even though the temptation is killing me!

Clancy xxxx

p.s. the next Thirsty Thursday event is at The Living Room on Thursday 24th April - check out www.thirstythursday.co.uk for more info