News
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Tis a strange thing. Strange but true. I get a frisson of excitement, a soupçon of a thrill, when I enter a theatre space and the set is sparse. There’s no particular science here but it usually equates to good, honest theatre. A statement as broad and sweeping as they come. But there’s nowhere to
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Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be, goes the old witticism. Last night was pure nostalgia. A knowing nostalgia. A trip back to a 90s televisual treat none of us really expected was coming. But come it did, as Drop the Dead Donkey marks the 30th anniversary (yes 30) with The Reawakening! Starring the original
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If last night’s party was anything to go by, the Nordoff & Robbins Northern Music Awards in November is going to be top. drawer. But what is this Northern Music Awards? I hear you say. Who are Nordoff & Robbins? And speak more of this launch party! Well, my imaginary friends… Two words, Music Therapy.
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year…. Fringe.Is.Back. And not just any old Fringe. Greater Manchester Fringe. All that creativity, talent and in all those exciting and unique spaces around Manchester. The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns for its 11th year, in its original summer slot from Friday 1st until Sunday 31st July. Over
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1982 was a very special year. My brother was born in the January, the Hacienda was born in May. And the rest is history. That said, history came alive Saturday night when the shutters flew up on what is now the Hacienda apartments car park, and 1000 of us flooded in (note a last minute
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So we’re all about 50 stone heavier having thrown ourselves while-heartedly into the apparent food festival that is Easter. A blur of hot cross buns, simnel cake and chocolate, we’re tired and all need something a little more…stationary. A little less feeding frenzy, a little more ‘feet up (oi metaphorically, not on the seats), lights
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This week was monumental. After what felt like a long, long dark winter, the sun set AFTER 6pm. Today is also monumental as Manchester Film Festival 2022 throws open its literal and metaphorical doors to us Mancs, honorary and actual, and all those visiting our fine city. From 12 – 20 March, over 130 films
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Having visited this year’s Manchester Open Exhibition and seen for myself the breadth of artistic talent on display, I can only imagine what a difficult job it would have been. But someone had to do it! The judging has taken place and last night, HOME announced the 5 winners of the Manchester Open Awards 2022!
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I have never been so ready for Christmas. Note when I say ready, I don’t mean the practicalities. No matter what I promise myself every year, I will never be that person who’s done, dusted and has Christmas wrapped up (figuratively and literally) by November. No, after Christmas was almost cancelled last year, any jadedness
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If you’re heading to Manchester Rum Festival this weekend [Saturday 28th August] you’re in for a very exclusive treat. Festival owner Dave Marsland and The City of Manchester Distillery have created an entirely unique, never-tasted-before rum solely for ticket holders. Just 100 bottles of The Double Distillery Pot Limited Edition Column Still Rum will be available
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My Dad was a professional museum, which led to him being away on tour a fair bit when I was growing up. ‘Gigs and digs’ were oft heard words in our house. And it’s all very rock and roll and glamorous, isn’t it? Well like everything, dig (not always deep) below the surface and there
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Unless you’re currently self-isolating like my good self (COVID got me good, got me real good), you can’t have failed to notice the billboard/bus stop takeover across Manchester City Centre of Jamaican trans duo, Kyym and Emani. Our presence is our resilience is the mantra of these strong fashion activists. The visually striking and uncompromising
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Remember that balmy day back in June 2018, when the socialising was anything but distant, substantial meals were for wimps masks were for gimps (it rhymes, I have no choice). And the mighty Sheds graced our tier-free little Castlefield Bowl in Manchester? I do, it was immense and now we can relive those blessed times
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What do you mean there’s nothing to look forward to, we have no future, 2020 has nothing to offer us mancunians actuary, honorary or passing through (controversial – stick to your own tiered up towns, we’ve got enough problems). Retro rock and roll band, The Electric Stars, are bringing their brand new album, Velvet Elvis:
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I was going to put the title of the film in the title of this blog post. But this would have led to the piece being a little top heavy and in danger of being all title and no content. Nobody Loves You and You Don’t Deserve to Exist is quite frankly an excellent name
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It’s back. FilmFear returns to HOME this Hallowe’en and this year, slightly beyond, with an extended programme of chills, thrills and downright blood spills. Running from Wednesday 28 October to Thursday 5 November, Film4 and HOME have co-curated a line-up (coined Scream Now, Think Later) of modern genre classics that sink their teeth into politics,
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It’s been a cruel cruel spring and summer for us all but you don’t need my take on all that’s going on, (if you do, I’ll create a bespoke ‘my take’ just for you – brace yourself…). I’ve missed the arts, the thrill of live theatre, music, performance, just life in general playing out without
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There’s light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel, my friends. We all know the worries and concerns for the theatre, and indeed arts and entertainment industry as a collective. But as 4 July becomes some sort of D-day, a heralding of freedom, venues who have been left out of the loop
honorary manc 