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Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

28May

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) – Leeds Grand Theatre

I have to confess I’ve always found Regency novels like Pride & Prejudice excruciatingly boring but this tongue in cheek romp through Jane Austen’s masterpiece is the exact opposite. The vague premise of the show is that we see the antics of the Bennet family, and assorted posh folk in Meryton, from the perspective of the servants. Isobel McArthur who loosely adapted the novel uses that device to allow five incredibly hardworking and funny women the chance to play all the characters as they hurtle on and off stage. This show is in the best traditions of British farce, which probably has some Austen superfans clutching their pearls in disgust, especially as our Bennet girls are a bit potty mouthed. However, if you’re not a tiresome snob then it’s a chance to enjoy a ribald trip th...

Something About Lennon – Theatre Royal, St Helens

28May

By Kevin EcclestonNo Comments

North West

Something About Lennon – Theatre Royal, St Helens

The latest production from the acclaimed team behind Something About George and Something About Simon, Something About Lennon goes beyond mere tribute—it’s a theatrical deep dive into the life, music, and complexity of one of history’s most influential artists. Far from a standard nostalgia trip, this show brings an intense and thoughtful exploration of John Lennon’s journey, presenting his highs and lows with both reverence and raw honesty. Making its debut tour from May to July 2025, Something About Lennon will travel across 26 venues nationwide, with a standout performance at Theatre Royal, St Helens, on May 27th. At the heart of this production is Liverpool actor, West End performer, and musician Daniel Taylor, whose stage presence and musicality anchor the show in authenticity. Sup...

The Pornstar Martini Effect: A Bartender’s Guide to not K*lling Yourself at Christmas – The King’s Arms

28May

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

The Pornstar Martini Effect: A Bartender’s Guide to not K*lling Yourself at Christmas – The King’s Arms

It's that time of the year when theatre companies and productions gear up for Edinburgh. The team behind The Pornstar Martini Effect will be taking their show to the fringe and, judging by the Manchester previews, they are pretty much ready. Even if the first performance at the Kings Arms in Salford didn't get going until a good half hour after the advertised start time. This is a slickly directed and solidly acted two-hander with some interesting things to say about misogyny, gender stereotypes and the complexities of human nature. Kat (Zane Marsland) and Tom (Finnen McNiffe) are working the dreaded Christmas Eve shift at a packed bar. Alongside the inevitable shaking, mixing, straining and pouring they are also having to deal with inappropriate customers. Their personal s...

27May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

The Greater Manchester Improv Festival 2025

The first Greater Manchester Improv Festival will showcase the best of the region’s growing improv comedy and theatre scene. The festival will take place at the award-winning Kings Arms, Salford 6th-8th June 2025. With sixteen shows and four workshops (including a taster session for anyone wanting to try improv themselves) there's something for everyone. Tickets for all events just £5. "We have everything from improvised murder mysteries to musicals, showcasing new teams and seasoned festival acts," says Greater Manchester Improv Festival organiser Bron Edge, who also runs the award-winning Totally Improvised Company. "The Manchester Improv scene has exploded in the last few years so we decided it was time to bring together as many acts as we could fit into a weekend stuffed full of tal...

27May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Win a signed Dr Who Clapperboard

53two is giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to win a priceless Dr Who clapperboard, signed by 9 members of the cast! MUST END MIDNIGHT, SATURDAY 31st MAY 53two, Manchester's fully accessible and leading arts venue, is thrilled to announce an exclusive raffle, giving Dr Who’s immense fanbase the chance to win a genuine and extremely rare piece of Dr Who memorabilia. This clapperboard was used during the filming of season two, featuring the 15th Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa and was donated to them by their patron and star of Dr Who, Ruth Madeley. This priceless clapperboard is an iconic symbol of the show and represents a unique collector's item for enthusiasts of the long running BBC series. With added value being signed by 9 members of the cast; Anita Dobson, Jemma Redgrave, Varad...

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Festival Theatre

27May

By Greg HolsteadNo Comments

Scotland

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show – Festival Theatre

UCRS are becoming something of an institution, celebrating twenty years of rocking on stage this year. Original band members Luke Bradshaw (Lead Guitar) and Gareth Kedward (Keyboards) are still going strong and showing no signs of slacking in this high tempo run through some of the most iconic rock tracks of the last few decades of the twentieth century. Bradshaw guitar work is simply wonderful, and without doubt some of the best I have seen for many a year! An enthusiastic audience at Edinburgh’s Festival theatre were on board from the very first note as lead man Rory Bridgeman launched into Freddie’s, One Vision, quickly followed by Coverdale’s, Fool For Your Loving. A cracking start! The quality of the vocals and musical accompaniment point towards a well-oiled and well drilled ma...

3 nights of theatre celebrating the Workers Theatre Movement

26May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

3 nights of theatre celebrating the Workers Theatre Movement

Playing at The Hope Street Theatre – Friday 6th, Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th June, 7.30pm. In the 19320 and 30s, all over Britain, working-class theatre groups sprang up all over Britain, under the umbrella of the Workers Theatre Movement. A production that celebrates the Workers theatre Movement and its upsurge of Cultural Activism will be showcasing at one of Liverpool’s best small City-Centre Theatres, the Hope Street Theatre. Included in the 3 nights are a one act play about a 30s Socialist Theatre group, “Unity” by Tom Mclennan, and 3 modern Living Newspapers by local actors, inspired by the work of these Socialist Theatre pioneers. The show – called “Workers Playtime” – can be booked via the Hope Street Theatre website and box office. Tickets £8/£6 from ww...

Bloody Marvellous: A Comedy Show about the Middle Ages to tour UK Fringe Festivals this summer

26May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Bloody Marvellous: A Comedy Show about the Middle Ages to tour UK Fringe Festivals this summer

Bloody Marvellous brings together Luke Connell’s academic and comedic personalities to offer something distinctive: a comic tour of the medieval world. Rather than the tired medieval themes of kings and battles, it is about medieval ideas, stories and inventions. Featuring props, songs and games, Bloody Marvellous introduces audiences to creatures like sea-centipedes and manticores, dogs with names like Havegoodday, and characters like Eilmer the flying monk. Luke shows off the old world’s taste in tourist tat, and tries to convince audiences that medieval medicine – with treatments involving things like dragons’ blood – was more exciting than the modern kind. The show will be performed at the Newcastle, Durham, Buxton and Greater Manchester Fringes in July before it hits the Edinburgh ...

The National Youth Music Theatre leads innovative new Birmingham partnership project alongside ambitious outdoor theatre finale of its 2025 Season

26May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

The National Youth Music Theatre leads innovative new Birmingham partnership project alongside ambitious outdoor theatre finale of its 2025 Season

The National Youth Music Theatre (NYMT) proudly announces FairGround, a bold and inclusive arts festival for children and young people from all backgrounds across the whole of Birmingham. Hosted at City Academy, FairGround will offer free creative workshops in partnership with other leading arts organisations and schools in the city. The festival is committed to providing tailored opportunities for participants that reflect the diverse needs and experiences of its participants. Among those opportunities will be specialist drama and music workshops for newly arrived children who attend CORE Hello - a groundbreaking education programme which supports children from around the world to integrate positively into Birmingham schools and the community. FairGround features a series of four creat...

Marina Abramović premieres most ambitious work of her career at Manchester’s Aviva Studios

26May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Marina Abramović premieres most ambitious work of her career at Manchester’s Aviva Studios

•Balkan Erotic Epic (9th – 19th October 2025) marks Abramović’s largest-scale performance work to date, featuring a cast of over 70 performers. •Rooted in the artist’s Balkan heritage, this bold new work combines dance, song, and ritual to explore desire, spirituality, and our connection to nature. •Merging elements of performative tradition with sensuality and eroticism, Balkan Erotic Epic reflects Abramović’s ongoing exploration of the body, sexuality, and the limits of human experience. •Tickets go on-sale to Factory International members on Thursday 22nd May and to general public on Thursday 29th May at www.factoryinternational.org Factory International, the organisation behind Manchester International Festival and the city’s landmark cultural space Aviva Studios, wi...