Steve’s PhD supervisor (back in the dark ages) was in a play last week at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds, so we went over on Saturday so Steve could catch the matinee & support him. The play, Dust, was cast from members of the local community, as part of the (bizarrely specific) “I love West Leeds” festival. (I know Leeds is big, but really?! Just West Leeds? Also, wasn’t aware of a big rift in the city…) (Roger’s the one in shorts standing on the upper level at around 2.40 of the youtube video).

So, given the choice of watching 1.5 hours of docu-am-drama (very well done, apparently) or doing something else, me & the kids… did something else.

First, we played on the steps in front of the DSS building at the end of The Headrow:

Then, we went to The Royal Armoury:

Our favourite bits – Joel liked the going up & down (in the see-through lift, and round the stairwell which was a striking mix of stately-home armoured wall-hangings meets minimalist architecture), Lily liked the chinese bit (I think it was actually Japanese/Mongol, but let’s not pick holes too much!), I liked the big elephant in Oriental.

We were told there was a big elephant on the 4th floor, so headed up there. On the landing was a big, I’m guessing lifesize diorama of a hunter on an elephant tangling with a tiger – we were duly impressed. And then we went into the Oriental gallery, and there was an EVEN BIGGER lifesize elephant model wearing armour.

We scooted round a few bits & pieces, not hanging around too long in case boredom set in, and then headed back to meet up with Steve back at the theatre.

All in all, a good day out. And as Steve says, whenever we go there, we wonder why we don’t just live there & have done with it. Maybe one day!!