International festivals can easily feel detached from their host city. In bringing together artists from all over the world, the local gets lost in the mix. But at Transform, the character of Leeds is baked into the programme.
This is particularly true of the two shows I see this year. Secrets (★★★☆☆) at the Warehouse in Holbeck, created by Icelandic artist Ásrún Magnúsdóttir, has been made with and entirely performed by young Leeds-based artists, while Australian art collective Aphids have re-created their show Oh Deer! (★★★★☆) at Leeds Playhouse with a mixture of the original cast and local performers.
