2019 has been quite an eventful year for theatre in Manchester. It has been a year of new beginnings, with Sarah Frankcom stepping down as the Artistic Director of the Royal Exchange, paving the way for Roy Alexander Weise and Bryony Shanahan to put their own stamp on the theatre. This year also saw 53two... Continue Reading →
The Manchester Project at Christmas – HOME, Manchester
This is Manchester. We do things differently here. The Mancunian spirit is almost as famous as its two football teams (come on you reds!), and the indie music that was born here. But what does it mean to be Mancunian? Monkeywood Theatre respond to this by creating fourteen bite-sized, micro plays that are penned by... Continue Reading →
The Slightly Annoying Elephant – HOME, Manchester
When Sam visited a zoo with his parents, he signed a form to adopt an elephant. Little did he know that the small print meant the elephant would actually come and live with him. Imagine his surprise when a giant, blue elephant arrives on his doorstep! The Slightly Annoying Elephant is based on the best selling... Continue Reading →
Roots – HOME, Manchester
Earlier this year, 1927 Productions thrilled HOME's audiences with The Animals and Children Took to the Streets, which is one of the best shows I have seen this year. Their unique way of storytelling inventively combines traditional theatre with animations and live music. In Roots, 1927 use these techniques to tell a series of folk-tales... Continue Reading →
Season’s Greetings – Northenden Players
According to Cliff Richard, Christmas is a time for mistletoe and wine. It's a time to rejoice, with logs on the fire and gifts on the tree. Clearly, he has never seen Alan Ayckbourn's Season's Greetings, which depicts a dysfunctional family Christmas that most audience members can identify with. There is plenty of wine... in... Continue Reading →
Emergence 2020 (Preview) – New Adelphi Theatre, Salford
Emergence is the postgraduate dance company formed in collaboration between Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford. It is a professionally focused course aimed at students studying MA Dance Performance and Professional Practices at the university. Each year, a new group of dancers work with Artistic Director, Joss Arnott, to co-produce an exciting programme... Continue Reading →
Mr Popper’s Penguins – Sale Waterside Arts
Mr Popper lives with his wife in Stillwater, the town where everyone will fit in. He is an ordinary painter and decorator who has extraordinary dreams of Antarctic adventures. He wants to be an explorer and travel to the land of snow and ice, to see its penguins. Imagine his astonishment when, one day, a... Continue Reading →
What’s On in Manchester – December 2019
*Puts on best Noddy Holder voice*... IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!!! I wish it could be Christmas every day because December really is the most wonderful time of year. Although the weather outside is frightful, there is nothing better than sitting in the warmth watching some wonderfully festive theatre. Manchester never fails to deliver theatrical Christmas crackers and... Continue Reading →
Jack and the Beanstalk – Oldham Coliseum
Oldham Coliseum's annual pantomime is steeped in tradition. It has provided Christmas sparkle to northern audiences for over 130 years and has become a hugely popular event. This year it's Jack and the Beanstalk, which marks the first annual panto to be directed by the Coliseum's Artistic Director, Chris Lawson. Yet this is no ordinary... Continue Reading →
I’m a Phoenix, Bitch – HOME, Manchester
In 2015, Bryony Kimmings' life burnt to the ground when she experienced a post natal breakdown after giving birth to her son, Frank. At only four months old, he was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy, causing clusters of infantile seizures. As Frank's health deteriorated, Kimmings was at her lowest point. She lost her... Continue Reading →