Penguin Pride is winging its way to Manchester next week, with a wonderful line-up of LGBTQ+ writers, poets and performers to celebrate the city’s incredible diversity. Taking place at Z-Arts on Thursday 23 August, poet and playwright Toby Campion hosts this special event which will showcase some of the UK’s most exciting queer talent. Presented in partnership … More *Preview* Penguin Pride comes to Manchester
I read an article once which gave a rundown – nay, a gallery, of last meal choices from death row. It was brilliant. It was food porn. It was deeply inappropriate to enjoy the article. And this is my confession, I do often think about what gastronomic decision I’d make on death row. I’m not planning … More An evening of gallows humour – ‘Hanging’, at Greater Manchester Fringe.
It’s always an exciting thing to attend a world premiere production of…well anything, really. Not least when you get to see it before it hits Edinburgh Fringe audiences. Certainly not least when you’re not getting to Edinburgh Fringe yourself (although, fear not as there is plenty to entertain on our good own Mancunian doorstep of course). And … More Theatre review – The Fishermen at HOME Mcr
I’m going to start with a sincere apology to Liza Goddard. She has such a wealth of stage experience behind her, that for me to bring up the Give Us a Clue theme tune seems very wrong. I know I shouldn’t mention it but it’s like a scratch I have to itch. Please forgive me reader and … More Theatre review – Sherlock Holmes – The Final Curtain at the Opera House
There is a lot being done to raise awareness of male mental health at the time of writing, which is both joyous and tragic. Joyous that those afflicted or potentially afflicted are being offered support, reassurance, an outlet, and above all else, a message that they are not alone. Tragic that the above is all … More Greater Manchester Fringe – Into The Deep
Billed as Sting’s personal, political and passionate musical, this was a ship that I wasn’t prepare to let sail by without an inquisitive look. On a tour of UK and Ireland, The Last Ship sailed into the Quays last night, making its debut at The Lowry theatre. I have already used two puns both based … More Theatre review – The Last Ship at the Lowry
A (by no means exhaustive) list of popular films and programmes that traumatised me as a child: Dumbo E.T.* Born Free Dot and the Kangaroo Watership Down They all have one thing in common – creatures and animals in challenging and sad situations. *Ok, technically E.T. was an alien but he’s pretty much in that category. The … More Theatre review – War Horse at the Lowry
