Introducing Explore...

Who is Boomchikkaboom? We spoke to founder Faye about making memories for families – and more.

What is Boomchikkaboom?

“This is always the hardest question to answer because Boomchikkaboom has so many branches! In a nutshell, we host events predominantly aimed at families. We’re big on creating welcoming spaces for all, from family raves and school workshops to festivals and messy play!”

How did Boomchikkaboom first come about?

“I set up Boomchikkaboom 13 years ago. After my son was born, I felt uninspired by what was out there for families – so I started a mission to host events outside of the box and make amazing core memories.”

It is clear from your work that you are keen to offer unique, enjoyable experiences to audiences and participants of all ages, bridging the gap between children and adults. Why do you think it is important to offer diverse and unique creative outlets for young people and adults alike?

“Culturally in England, there are many spaces where children are not made to feel welcome – almost like they should be ‘seen and not heard’. But I believe so much value can be found in spaces where everyone is made to feel welcome. I love intergenerational work. So much magic can be found when everybody is having fun as a collective.”

What are your personal highlights of Leeds’ arts and cultural scene?

“Tough one! Too many to mention, really. I just love that Leeds always has something going on – it’s such a busy city. Taking part in Leeds West Indian Carnival is always on the Boomchikkaboom calendar. We can’t talk about Leeds culture without mentioning carnival!”

What is your relationship to Leeds Heritage Theatres?

“From a young age I was always taken to the theatre and Leeds Heritage Theatres hold so many core childhood memories for me. It’s been lovely to take my own children, as well as sharing the spaces via Boomchikkaboom. In the past we have hosted some family raves at The Varieties and a fair few cinema screenings at The Picture House. We’re looking forward to more this spring – and we’ll also be raving it up at Howard Assembly Room, too!”

If someone is coming to one of your events for the first time, what can they expect?

“Big energy and big joy, where every family is welcomed, celebrated and free to be themselves!”

Boomchikkaboom are joining us for an interactive sing and dance-along screening of Coco on Sat 11 Apr and an extra special screening of Sing on Sun 12 Apr. Also, don't miss their Family Rave on Tue 07 Apr at Howard Assembly Room.

We also spoke to Yorkshire Ghost Tours, who tell us how they came to be – and, naturally, all about Leeds’ spookiest sites…

Can you introduce us to Yorkshire Ghost Tours? …and who are Spindleshanks McShrew and Lord Bartholomew Catch?

“Yorkshire Ghost Tours produce one-hour, entertaining ghost and history walking tours in Yorkshire towns. There are currently three tours running in Otley, Skipton and Leeds city centre every weekend. Our goal is to promote accessible theatre as well as educate about local heritage, folklore and ghost stories!

Spindleshanks McScrew is the Otley Ghost Tour guide. She’s 833 years old and currently lives in Otley’s Jubilee Clock. She has to sleep standing up, it’s not very comfortable. Lord Bartholomew Catch is a self-proclaimed Lord of the Briggate Slums. Something akin to the ‘Artful Dodger of Leeds’, he’s been barred from just about every pub in the city!”

How did Yorkshire Ghost Tours first come about?

“Yorkshire Ghost Tours started life as a mere fundraiser to help Turnip Fish Theatre Company bring a play to Edinburgh Fringe. On return from a super fun two-week run of My Pretties (2024), we were left with a ghost tour, which seemed to be rather in-demand. We realised we were not only talking about interesting topics – local history and hearsay, but also bringing theatre to northern towns and city fringes, which was our mission at Turnip Fish Theatre Company. Fascination with local history gained momentum, and the Skipton Ghost Tour was born, followed by Leeds. Keep your eyes peeled for more popping up this year!”

Do you have any favourite spooky stories about Leeds?

“My favourite stop has to be Skull and Stones Yard – it’s got such a grim story and is located in a place you’d never expect to be haunted… the Crown Street pay and display car park round the back of the Corn Exchange!” says Lord Bartholomew Catch.

The Skull and Stones tells the tale of two brothers who were almost drafted to go to fight overseas in the 1800s by a touring press gang. They escaped by hiding away in a hay loft around the back of the pub, but didn’t realise the trap door latched from the outside. They found themselves stuck in the small attic, where they met their grisly demise. The landlord of the pub supposedly placed a pair of skulls on the wall as a testament to the brothers, it was there for many years then mysteriously disappeared…

The facts are interesting but not that fun: Leeds has such a grim history. It was full of slums, disease, fish guts and death. The working classes lived in uncomfortable housing – we’re talking buckets for bogs and windows that won’t open – while working at the textile mills. We were finally awarded city status in 1893, when the gentrification began, with posh arcades and fancy shops popping up and the disease-ridden slums of Briggate being pushed further from the centre of town.”

Have you had any memorable ghostly encounters?

“The infamous ghost of a lady with no eyes who haunts the parish churchyard in Otley has reportedly been spotted twice on our Ghost Tour. One time, scrambling around the gravestones, and another, stood right next to Spindleshanks McScrew!

Meanwhile, Lord Bartholomew Catch and his audience once saw a pair of disembodied legs walking past the window of The Hair Lounge on Kirkgate. Lord Catch hadn’t even told his tour yet about the disembodied legs that were seen by two lads in the 1990s, in the very cellar of what is now The Hair Lounge!”

What is your relationship to Leeds Heritage Theatres?

“City Varieties is full of ghosts – there are some fabulous characters there, past and present, and some really interesting stories. The stop concludes the Leeds Ghost Tour and is a huge favourite amongst our guests. It’s a notoriously haunted spot and it’s wonderful to get the chance to work with them as part of Explore. There’s so much history there and so many spooky stories – it truly deserves its very own ghost tour! 

While The Varieties is the people’s theatre, The Grand was opened as an opera house for the wealthier classes. It’s not on our ghost tour route, but we do talk about the ghosts there. A firm favourite is the ‘lavender lady’ who is said to haunt the upper circle, and show herself in the form of the fragrance of lavender to men that she fancies, just as they settle in for the second act! 

Hyde Park Picture House is our favourite cinema in the world. It’s fabulous to be able to work with them and introduce Ghostbusters as part of Explore. The cinema’s projector is said to be haunted by the ghost of an actor who lost his mind to the villainous character he was playing, Lord Catch is calling upon you all to help bust him from the cinema, once and for all…”

Find out more about the ghostly encounters and stories of Leeds Heritage Theatres’ haunted history.

Yorkshire Ghost Tours are giving a ghostly introduction to Ghostbusters on Sat 11 Apr. You can book tickets here. They're also hosting a series of Treasure Trails at City Varieties, which you can find out more about here.

Ben also spoke to the wonderful poet, rapper and workshop leader Testament, who is hosting beatbox workshops at City Varieties on Mon 06 Apr. Read Ben's full blog piece, including an interview with Testament, here.