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. OverContinue reading “Greater Manchester Fringe is back with a bang (and I done a weak hair pun)”
Category Archives: The Arts
Patricia Gets Ready at The Lowry (and I get on my soapbox)
Straightaway, my takeaway on this play is how there are some incredibly talented actors in this country and there is largely a huge disconnect between talent and plaudits. Much of this, of course, as in life, is to do with how commercially viable a vehicle is. And I get that. Not everything is for consumptionContinue reading “Patricia Gets Ready at The Lowry (and I get on my soapbox)”
It’s Thursday and I’m doing a deep dive into my ignorance levels – The White Card at HOME Mcr
In its UK debut at HOME, Claudia Rankine’s first published play, The White Card poses the question: can society progress when whiteness remains invisible? Written against a backdrop of an increasingly racially divided American and shortly before the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests, The White Card is as tense andContinue reading “It’s Thursday and I’m doing a deep dive into my ignorance levels – The White Card at HOME Mcr”
I’m beatboxing so it must be Tuesday…Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, Contact
Me: fancy coming to see beatboxers perform Frankenstein? Him: (without missing a …beat) yeah And this reader is why I married him. On Tuesday I found myself part of a beatbox symphony. This is the same week that I got my first pair of prescription reading glasses. Balance redressed.. Contact theatre played host (and continuesContinue reading “I’m beatboxing so it must be Tuesday…Frankenstein: How to Make a Monster, Contact”
Wuthering Heights at The Lowry
I didn’t know what to do expect from this production. I mean I was aware of the story – it’s all love and hate and death and windy moors. But the description of this production told me it was… Shot through with music, dance, passion and hope… and I was admittedly reticent. This could beContinue reading “Wuthering Heights at The Lowry”
Last night of the Sea Power tour, Manchester’s own Albert Hall
Saturday 23 April was Sea Power appearing at Albert Hall, Manchester day. It was also St George’s Day. The two things are somewhat very tenuously related. They really are, stay with me. Last August, Sea Power announced that they were dropping the ‘British’ from their name. The reasons I completely understand, the fact that theContinue reading “Last night of the Sea Power tour, Manchester’s own Albert Hall”
Preview: Head HOME for film this spring…
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), lightsContinue reading “Preview: Head HOME for film this spring…”
Review: Me & Thee at The Empty Space, Salford
Friendship is a funny thing. I think the Covid panny-d has caused a lot of reflection on this matter. Who did we miss, who did we not miss, who did we keep in contact with, who did we not. Who did we keep in contact with but then not once we re-entered the world again.Continue reading “Review: Me & Thee at The Empty Space, Salford”
Review: The House with Chicken Legs at HOME Mcr
I’m a misery when it comes to children’s literature, films, television (although my wonderful young whirlwind of a niece is changing that – Hey Duggie is my ride or die. I’m ageing myself but I’ve never read or watched a Harry Potter. I’ve not watched a Disney film that wasn’t made post 80s and IContinue reading “Review: The House with Chicken Legs at HOME Mcr”
Review: The Bread We Break at Contact
I in no mean belittle this advice, I’m here to report the facts. And by facts I mean points of interest that capture my attention… Allergen warning: there will be loose wheat as part of the set This was in the programme notes and outside the door to the studio. The warning went onto explainContinue reading “Review: The Bread We Break at Contact”
Review: Balloon Animal at Manchester Film Festival
As a child I used to marvel at the concept and sheer artistry of those who could transform balloon into beast (ridiculous but alliteration, I can’t not). Even more so when I tried to do it myself not realising that a special type of balloon can only be used, and concluding that only those touchedContinue reading “Review: Balloon Animal at Manchester Film Festival”
Review: Spaghetti Junction at Manchester Film Festival
There’s a rich history of films centred around the ‘stranger visits town’ trope. Sometimes that trope is literal; a mainstay for many a Western. Sometimes, that stranger is coming from somewhat further afield, swapping out a small town for Earth itself. Starman, Superman, E.T. Close Encounters of the Third Kind – the list is prettyContinue reading “Review: Spaghetti Junction at Manchester Film Festival”
Manchester Film Festival 2022
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 filmsContinue reading “Manchester Film Festival 2022”
HOME announces award winning artists from the 2022 Manchester Open Exhibition
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!Continue reading “HOME announces award winning artists from the 2022 Manchester Open Exhibition”
Film review: Caravaggio, part of the Derek Jarman retrospective, Jarman at HOME
Before we start, HOME is one of my favourite spaces in Manchester. I just wanted to say that. I haven’t professed any feelings for the place itself in quite a while, given the frequency I visit. I don’t take it for granted, especially given the recent enforced absence (I’m over using the C word). SoContinue reading “Film review: Caravaggio, part of the Derek Jarman retrospective, Jarman at HOME”
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