We Invented the Weekend, the ambitious and free festival, is set to take over MediaCity and Salford Quays this weekend on June 15th and 16th, 2024. With over 200 activities planned, this festival promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for everyone, no matter how you like to spend your weekends.

Last years event was an absolute blast and was well received and well attended and this years event looks to be even bigger and better.

Music Extravaganza

The festival boasts an impressive musical lineup, including Northern Music Awards’ Best DJ DJ Paulette, Secret Night Gang, DJ Roesh, and Unity Radio’s Zed Bias. Festival-goers can also enjoy performances by the funky disco group, Eves Drop Collective, and the Playhouse Project. The music extends to boat parties on the waterways, featuring acts such as Salford Pride’s Bailey J Mills, post-punk trio LIINES, and a Power Ballads boat. Additionally, Hacienda legend DJ Paulette will spin classics on the Piazza stage, with DJ Mix Stress bringing her unique mix to the decks. Salford’s Sounds from The Other City will take over Central Bay, inviting visitors to dance by the waterfront.

Family Fun

For families, the festival offers a host of activities including fun-filled CBeebies themed dance workouts with fitness instructor Mr. Motivator and performances by everyone’s favorite cartoon dog, Bluey. The BBC Philharmonic will take families on a journey through Musical Storyland, where fairy tales and folk tales are re-imagined with magical music. The Lowry will present an aerial dance duet, behind-the-scenes theatre tours, gallery tours of the LS Lowry Exhibition, and a flash mob from SIX The Musical. Outside The Lowry, the Plaza stage will host a family disco-tastic DJ party by Our Kid Social, and Opera North will offer an introductory opera workshop.

Sports And Wellbeing

Sports enthusiasts can engage in BMXing sessions with British Cycling, earn medals by walking the Bupa Loop, showcase football skills with Manchester United Street Reds, climb walls, and try skating or scooting with Graystone Action Sports. For those seeking relaxation, inclusive yoga practices led by actor and artist Scottee, along with sound baths and crystal healing sessions, will be available. The BBC’s Super Movers for Every Body campaign will also showcase inclusive sport activities created in collaboration with the Premier League and ParalympicsGB.

Retail Therapy And Food

The Melanin Markets will debut at the festival, showcasing 10 black-owned independent businesses. Patrick Grant, founder of Community Clothing and presenter of BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, will join the talks programme and bring the Community Clothing shop. Charity Super.Mkt will offer a curated collection of fashion, accessories, and homewares from various charity retailers. Quayside MediaCity will feature food and drink highlights from Jerk Junction, Super Fry Guys, and Hot & Wild.

Gardening And Green Initiatives

RHS Bridgewater will offer various gardening workshops as part of the ‘We Get Green’ strand of the festival. Title sponsor Auto Trader will highlight sustainable activities, including an e-bike track and promoting electric cars and caravanning, with a chance to win a brand new electric car.

Joyful Participation

Darren Pritchard and Ghetto Fabulous will lead The People’s Catwalk – Sunday Best, a fashion show celebrating personal style and community spirit. The Free Time Parade, a highlight from 2023, will return, inviting everyone to participate in a mass parade celebrating free time.

Education And Talks

The festival’s We Think Big talks, presented by The University of Salford, will feature Patrick Grant discussing his new book, ‘Less: Stop Buying So Much Rubbish: How Having Fewer, Better Things Can Make Us Happier’. Other speakers include fashion PR Neil Summers, Kings Arms owner Lisa Connor, yoga instructor Scottee, and Night Time Economy Adviser for Greater Manchester Sacha Lord, covering topics from Salford pub culture to the future of the high street.

We Invented the Weekend celebrates Greater Manchester’s legacy, where the weekend was originally invented in 1843. Last year, the festival attracted 60,000 visitors and generated over £3.2 million for the local economy.

Co-founder Wayne Hemingway MBE expressed his excitement: “We Invented the Weekend celebrates Greater Manchester’s gift to the world in a truly unique and special way. The two-day programme invites all to come down to MediaCity and Salford Quays to try out something new from the 200 plus free activities, workshops, and performances we have planned. We Invented the Weekend 2024 will be another unforgettable moment in the calendar!”

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary weekend event. Join us at MediaCity and Salford Quays on June 15th and 16th for a festival experience like no other. For more information, visit We Invented the Weekend.

The main exhibition celebrating the life and talent of Salford’s famous artist, Harold Riley, is now open at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Every Line is Me showcases more than 100 pieces of work across two sites; a vast range showcasing the impressive breadth of his work created between the 1950s, up until Harold’s death in April 2023 aged 88.

Harold’s relationship with Salford Art Gallery started at the age of 11 when he sold the venue his first painting. Born in 1934, he attended Salford Grammar School and at 17 won a scholarship to The Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London. He then went on to study at the British School in Rome and Madrid University.

A close friend and mentored by LS Lowry, Harold sketched, drew and painted everything and anything. After his studies he completed national service, returning to Salford in the 60s to pursue his dream of becoming a world-renowned artist. He sketched and painted a wide range of subjects from the backstreets of Salford, local landmarks and everyday people through to world figures and famous people including JFK, Prince Philip, Pope John Paul, Nelson Mandela, and sporting legends including Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

Bringing together all of Harold’s many disciplines and subject matter including painting, drawing, digital fusions, and photography, Every Line is Me tells the story of the highly-generous Salford-born man, showing works that portray places and people that were important to him including places in Salford, LS Lowry and his family, with the addition of quotes and stories from his family and friends.

The wider celebrations of Harold’s life includes a unique collaboration between Salford Museum and Art Gallery and Pinc College which is an exhibition of Harold-inspired portraits created by neurodiverse students aged 16-25 until June 25th and a fun exhibition dedicated to Harold’s love of dogs in July at Ordsall Hall. Dogs were an important part of Harold’s life and this playful exhibition takes place July 21 2024 – June 1 2025.

Salford Museum and Gallery exhibitions manager, Amy Brunn, said:

‘We are honoured to showcase the wonderful work of Harold Riley, celebrating his life and talents. We hope to welcome many visitors from around the world to appreciate the legacy of Salford’s immensely talented artist.

Harold’s wife, Ashraf, says: ‘Harold loved the City of Salford, the city of his birth, his childhood, and where he grew up to be an artist as a young man. His city cemented in him admirable qualities of love, loyalty and an unstoppable sense of duty and honest service. His genuine determination was to simply portray what he saw in Salford, from its streets, buildings, shops, hospitals, families, children and its dogs. Honest cities and honest families produce honest citizens – Harold was one of its honest citizens.’

Harold’s work at the main Every Line is Me Exhibition will be on display until Sunday 27 April 2025 in the Langworthy Gallery, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, The Crescent, M5 4WU and Ordsall Hall M5 3AN.

A Jehovah’s Witness comes to terms with his sexuality in the autobiographical new gig theatre show Birthmarked that comes to The Lowry from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st May.

Written, performed and composed by Brook Tate, and directed by Olivier award winner Sally Cookson (Jane Eyre, A Monster Calls, National Theatre), Birthmarked follows a young Witness on his journey from door-knocking on the street to finding his feet (and high heels) on the stage.

Birthmarked tells the true story of Brook's experiences growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness until he was disfellowshipped at the age of 23 because of his sexuality. In a faith that believes Armageddon is imminent, homosexuals will be destroyed, and everyone believes in ‘The Truth’, a young Witness experiences turmoil and pain before discovering his own truth. This funny and moving semi-improvised show follows Brook as he finds the strength to take a leap into the unknown, and shines a light on what it means to be marked... at birth.

Tate is supported live on stage by his five-person band, who multirole as characters in Tate’s journey and incorporate original songs into this story of self-discovery and self-determination.

Brook Tate comments: “With a band of pals, a whale, a giraffe, and eventually a tap dancing zebra, I tell my story of being excommunicated from my family’s religion, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and hope to spread awareness for those who have experienced similar circumstances. The reception from audiences in Bristol and at the Fringe was way beyond what I could have expected, and we are thrilled to now be able to bring the show to Salford.”

Sometimes you see a show so moving that you don’t know how to talk about it. Here, with this rare and extraordinary beast, I wept… it is an extraordinary show, and Brook Tate is an extraordinary man (Bristol 24/7).

• ★★★★ – ’joyful, life-affirming show’ – The Stage
• ★★★★ – ’Sincerity, generosity & glorious cheek…bursting with revelation’ – Guardian

Birthmarked is at The Lowry from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st May. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

LISTINGS

Title: Birthmarked

Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st May

Venue: The Lowry, Salford

Running Time: 90 minutes

Tickets: from £15.50. On sale now from thelowry.com 

Age guidance: 12+

Content warning: Contains distressing or potentially triggering themes, and strong language

Socials

IG: @the_lowry @BrookTate

Facebook: /TheLowrySalford   /BrookTateArts

X: @The_Lowry  @BrookTateArts @Spincesmith

Web: thelowry.com  www.brooktate.com

Featuring a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets, the global sensation, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show returns to The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 28th May – Saturday 1st June.

Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories are transformed from page to stage during a magical 50-minute show that faithfully adapts four of Eric Carle’s beloved books Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, the newly added Dream Snow and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Very Hungry Caterpillar has delighted generations of readers since it was first published in 1969 selling more than 48 million copies worldwide and this vibrant celebration of Eric Carle’s adored classics is the perfect introduction to live theatre.

Created by Jonathan Rockefeller, the critically acclaimed The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show has performed over 2,000 shows worldwide including sold-out shows in Australia, New York, United Kingdom, Dubai, New Zealand, Canada, Belgium, Luxemburg, Netherlands, and The Lowry is thrilled to welcome the show back to Salford for the Summer half-term.

“The response to The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show has been incredible and has exceeded our expectations. We are thrilled that so many children are experiencing the magic of theatre for the very first time – with a character they all grew up with.” The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show creator/ director - Jonathan Rockefeller

• ★★★★★ ‘Beautiful, Rhythmic. A Triumph’ Time Out
• ★★★★ “Charming and ingenious” The Stage
• ★★★★ ‘Colourful, charming, perfect for children’ London Theatre
• ★★★★★ Live Theatre UK

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is at The Lowry from Tuesday 28th May to Saturday 1st June. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

LISTINGS

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Tuesday 28th May – Saturday 1st June

Venue: The Lowry, Salford

Running Time: 50 minutes

Tickets: from £ £21.50. On sale now from thelowry.com 

*Babes in Arms tickets available for under 2-year-olds

*2 for 1 offer is available for Lowry Theatre Membership holders.

Socials

IG: @the_lowry @caterpillarshow

Facebook: /TheLowrySalford   /hungrycaterpillarshow

X: @The_Lowry 

Web: thelowry.com 

Bringing three generations together, star of stage and screen Gaynor Faye and her son, Oliver Anthony, appear in the world premiere UK stage tour of The Syndicate, written by Gaynor’s mum, the legendary, Kay Mellor.

This new comedy drama – also directed by Gaynor – is based on the smash-hit critically acclaimed BBC One drama that entertained millions of viewers over four series and comes to The Lowry, Salford from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May.

The funny and moving stage adaption – written by BAFTA Award winner Kay Mellor just before her untimely passing in 2022 - is based on the first TV series and tells the story of five supermarket workers whose lottery syndicate numbers come in, just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat.

Will a share of the jackpot make their dreams come true or their nightmares a reality? One thing’s for certain, the win of a lifetime will change the lives, loves and relationships of the syndicate members forever.

Gaynor Faye said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Brooke Vincent, Samantha Giles and the rest of this stellar cast on stage. The Syndicate is very close to my heart for so many reasons and it’s fitting that this production is a real family affair, as we welcome Oliver to the company too. I know that he will make an amazing addition to the cast.”

Oliver Anthony said: “Having acted in series four of The Syndicate TV show and worked with my grandmother, playing the role of Jamie, in development workshops of the play, I’m chuffed to bits to be making my stage acting debut alongside my mum in my grandmother’s final play. This production is in honour of her and all she achieved and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the character of Jamie and hopefully doing her proud.”

Gaynor is one of the nation’s best loved actresses and her many acting credits include roles in Coronation Street, Emmerdale, series four of the BBC’s The Syndicate and numerous stage tours including Calendar Girls and Band of Gold.

Oliver Anthony makes his stage acting debut in the role of Jamie. His TV acting credits include the award winning My Left Nut, Fat Friends and series four of the BBC’s The Syndicate.

The star cast also features Samantha Giles and Brooke Vincent. Samantha, known to millions as Bernice Blackstock in the hugely popular long running soap Emmerdale – plays the role of Denise. Samantha recently exited the soap after 14 years, with her character going on the run to avoid her debt. She will be joined by Brooke Vincent as Amy. Brooke is best known to TV viewers as Sophie Webster in Coronation Street, a role that she played from 2004-2019, and has recently been hosting the Drivetime show for Hits Radio.

The Syndicate cast is completed by Rosa Coduri-Fulford, Jade Golding, William Ilkley, Jerome Ngonadi, Benedict Shaw and Connor James-Ryan.

The Syndicate follows in the footsteps of BAFTA winner Kay Mellor’s hugely successful TV to stage adaptions of Fat Friends – The Musical and Band of Gold, which were collaborations between Kay’s company Rollem and Josh Andrews Productions. Kay was one of the UK’s most iconic female TV writers, with numerous other credits including In The Club and Girlfriends.

The Syndicate is also produced by Rollem and Josh Andrews Productions in association with JAS Theatricals.

Listings:

The Syndicate

The Lowry

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May

Access Performances: Audio Described: Fri 17 May 7.30pm. BSL Interpreted: Sat 18th May 2.30pm

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/kay-mellors-the-syndicate/

Greater Manchester’s largest grassroots pride returns on Saturday 22nd June to Peel Park, Salford. Tickets go live on sale on Saturday 24th February from 12 noon for The Pink Picnic 2024. Tickets will sell out fast, so make sure to visit pinkpicnic.org.uk to snag your ticket early.

There will be a limited number of free tickets* available, Salford Pride ask if you're able to, please choose a donation with your ticket to support our charity and the work we do year round in the Salford community.

For those pride goers that are looking for that VIP treatment, you can purchase a PinkPLUS experience ticket to get into the PinkPLUS area with many exciting extras.

The Pink Picnic is Salford’s annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Non-binary plus (LGBT+) pride event and is back again in 2024, now in its thirteenth year. The grassroots pride celebration personifies the true essence of what pride means and what it originally stood for. With the community at its heart, the event brings the local residents, groups, organisations, charities, and businesses together to showcase Salford’s diverse communities.

This year's event will host an array of live entertainment on the main stage, showcasing a roster of local diverse LGBT+ talent and headline artists and more. Expect to see drag, musicians, dancers, DJ’s and powerful words from prominent voices in the community, including Salford Pride patron and trans activist Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks).

As well as the main stage the event will host community and market stalls promoting local groups, organisations, charities and businesses, activities and entertainment for families, children, and LGBT+ youth, inflatables, a bar tent, food and drink vendors and much more.

2024 will bring exciting new attractions and features to the iconic event, with The Pink Picnic 2024 taking over more space within Peel Park for that extra space, plus a new layout, the return of fairground rides and much more.

Visit https://pinkpicnic.org.uk to grab your ticket.

Ray Lowry, a retrospective Saul Hay Gallery proudly presents a retrospective of the multifaceted work of the Salford born artist, cartoonist. illustrator and satirist, Ray Lowry.

Saturday 2nd - Saturday 16th March 2024 Preview from 5pm on Friday 1st March

With his highly distinctive style and wit, Ray Lowry contributed to The Guardian, Private Eye, Punch, Tatler and NME, among many other publications. He is perhaps best known as the designer of The Clash's iconic 1979 LP, London's Calling.

The exhibition will include original ink drawn cartoons, sketches of The Clash from when Ray toured with them and original paintings of his native Salford. With a unique and unmistakable style his cartoons are world renowned, His energetic ink sketches whilst on tour with The Clash are now collectors’ items and his fine art and abstract work has gained recognition in the art world.

Saul Hay Gallery hosts a vibrant collection of painters, sculptors, printmakers, photographers and ceramicists from the Manchester region and beyond.

For more information visit https://saulhayfineart.co.uk

Opening Times: Tuesday – Saturday: 10am – 5.30pm

Address: Saul Hay Gallery, Railway Cottage, Off Castle Street, Manchester, M3 4LZ

Check out Saul Hay Gallery on instagram at @saulhayfineart.

The National Theatre’s global smash-hit production of War Horse, the unforgettable theatrical event based on Michael Morpurgo’s beloved novel, will embark on a major 18-month UK Tour from 5 September 2024, touring through to 2026.

Opening at the New Wimbledon Theatre (5 – 14 September), War Horse will come to The Lowry, Salford from Wednesday 18^th to Saturday 28^th September.

To mark the announcement, Michael Morpurgo and Joey visited The Lowry earlier today – download images here

Tickets go on sale to Lowry Members, Groups & Schools on 19^th February and on General Sale on 23^rd February at 10am.

War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris, has become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide.  This all-new tour is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.

War Horse tells the remarkable story of a young boy called Albert and his horse Joey, set against the backdrop of the First World War.  This powerfully moving and imaginative drama is a show of phenomenal inventiveness, filled with stirring music and songs, featuring ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping, charging, horses to thrilling life on stage and has inspired a generation of theatre-makers since its premiere in 2007.

 Director, Tom Morris said, “It is a huge privilege to be invited to revisit War Horse and to share this powerful story once more with audiences around the country.  Michael Morpurgo’s brilliant idea, to explore the crushing violence of war through the experience of a horse, makes his story as powerful and resonant today as it has ever been.   And in this time of increasing commercialism in theatre, it’s worth remembering that the production which carried War Horse to an international audience was a wild experiment, developed through workshops at the National Theatre Studio, the unique theatre laboratory where ground-breaking hits from Coram Boy and London Road to The Witches were devised.   It has been an enormous thrill to return there in recent months to reunite Adrian Kohler’s magnificent puppets with designer Rae Smith, composer Adrian Sutton and other members of the original cast and creative team to start the process of bringing Joey back to the stage.”

 Author, Michael Morpurgo said: “I am so delighted the National Theatre’s iconic production of War Horse is back!  When Covid closed the show down in 2020 in Australia in the midst of its second World Tour, many thought, and I was amongst them, that we’d never see War Horse on stage again.  Now it’s really happening - we will hear the music and songs, be amazed by its design and lighting, live Joey’s story again.  War Horse is about the tragedy of war and about a horse and his boy, but it's also so many other things - it's about family and community, courage and loss, hope, and most importantly reconciliation.”

Head of Theatres at The Lowry, Steve Cowton, said: “War Horse is a very special show for us - in 2014 The Lowry was the first Theatre outside London to ever present this brilliant production and ten years later we're delighted to be welcoming the show back on its latest tour - reinforcing once again the very special relationship between The Lowry and The National Theatre."

At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

This tour of War Horse marks 110 years since the start of the First World War and follows the 40^th anniversary of the publication of Michael Morpurgo’s global best-selling novel, which has now sold over 35 million copies world-wide and in 37 different languages.

Executive Director of the National Theatre, Kate Varah said: “We are delighted that we are able to launch this major new UK tour of War Horse.  This moving and spectacular production has captured the imagination of millions of audience members across the world since it was first performed on the Olivier stage in 2007 and we are deeply appreciative and excited, to be working with our co-producers to make this possible in the current landscape.  We look forward to connecting with our partner venues with this much-loved story, that appeals to all ages and which beautifully showcases the magic of live performance.”

 Creative development for the tour is being led by Tom Morris with revival director Katie Henry, featuring reimagined designs by Rae Smith and additional music by Adrian Sutton.  Puppet design and fabrication is by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring Puppet Company, lighting design is by Rob Casey, movement and horse choreography is by Toby Sedgwick with puppet direction by Matthew Forbes.  Animation and projection design is by Nicol Scott for 59 Productions, John Tams is songmaker and sound design is by Christopher Shutt.  Casting is by Jill Green CDG and associate designer is Will Fricker.  Casting is to be announced.

 War Horse received its world premiere on 9 October 2007 at the National Theatre, where it played for two seasons before opening at the New London Theatre in March 2009.  Since then, War Horse has been seen in 97 cities in 14 countries, including productions on Broadway, in Toronto and Berlin, with touring productions in the UK and Ireland, North America, the Netherlands and Belgium. 

 For more information visit WarHorseOnStage.com.  War Horse will visit Theatre Nation Partner venues, including The Lowry in Salford and Sunderland Empire.  Assisted performances are available throughout the run at each venue.

The Lowry, Salford                                      

18 – 28 September
 

On Pre Sale to Lowry members, groups & Schools - 19^th February

On General Sale - 23 February

Age Recommendation: 10+

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/war-horse/

It’s time to save the date! We Invented the Weekend, the bold and imaginative free festival for the UK held in Salford, will be returning to Greater Manchester on 15th and 16th June. The full programme for the 2024 festival will be announced in the coming months but revealed today is an unmissable Sunday afternoon set from Manchester’s favourite DJ Paulette.

After a hugely successful launch year in June 2023, which saw 60,000 visitors descend onto MediaCity and its neighbouring areas, We Invented the Weekend will once again transform Salford Quays with a programme of completely FREE performances and activities to celebrate what people get up to over the weekend*.

Wayne Hemingway, co-founder of We Invented the Weekend, said: 

“The concept of We Invented the Weekend is like none-other and based off the tens of thousands of people who visited on that wonderfully sunny, uplifting weekend last year, it is clear people are understanding the ethos and meaning of the festival. It is incredibly impactful to be able to put on We Invented the Weekend as a free large-scale event in the place where the weekend was created in 1843. The event doesn’t just celebrate what we all get up to at the weekend, but is a moment to also recognise the culture, heritage and legacy of Salford and Greater Manchester.”

Revellers will be able to expect a specially curated programme of over 200 events and activities which will resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds, with unmissable headline moments scattered throughout the weekend celebrations.

DJ Paulette said: 

“I am so excited to play at We Invented The Weekend – one of the ‘all are welcome’ high points in the Greater Manchester outdoor events diary. The ethos of this weekend is universally understood, it’s beautiful and it feels very special to know that it came from a Greater Manchester campaigning action. I can’t wait to come together with the community in June and celebrate all the amazing things people can get up to at the weekend!”

2023’s programme saw household names such as BBC, RHS, The Lowry and Science and Industry Museum, plus a host of local creatives and community-run organisations present over 200 free performances and activities which helped MediaCity achieve its highest footfall moment in its history. The festival also brought in over £3.2m to the local economy.

About We Invented the Weekend

*Up until the 19th century, everyone in the UK worked a 6-day week. In 1843, workers’ rights activists launched a campaign to finish early on Saturdays in Greater Manchester. They won, and in doing so, invented the weekend – a gift to workers the world over. We Invented the Weekend is marking this enormous achievement with a new and imaginative free festival from Salford. One massive, colourful, exciting weekend of music, theatre, sport, workshops, dancing, laughs, and more to celebrate the joy of free time. We Invented the Weekend is funded by Salford City Council, MediaCity (a Peel Media Ltd and Landsec partnership), GMCA Culture Fund, Bupa and supported by Salford’s Culture & Place Partnership, a cross-city collective delivering Suprema Lex, Salford’s strategy for culture, creativity and place which is led by The Lowry, Arts Council England, Salford City Council, Peel Media Ltd and the University of Salford. The event delivery partner is HemingwayDesign who hold an impressive track record of delivering large-scale public engagement events across the country. We Invented the Weekend is a true partnership project with generous contribution to the festival content from several key partners including the BBC, The Lowry, and the University of Salford as well as many other arts and community organisations across the city.

Award winning producers Andy Barnes and Wendy Barnes from Global Musicals (SIX, The Choir of Man, Pieces of String, Lift) and Kevin McCollum from Alchemation (Mrs Doubtfire, SIX, Rent, Avenue Q) are delighted to announce details of the full cast and creative team for the premiere production of new musical 42 Balloons playing at The Lowry, Salford from 18 April – 19 May 2024, with a gala performance on Thursday 2 May.

A brand-new song from the show has also been released publicly today. "Lawn Chair Larry" is now available to download on all streaming platforms. An EP of selected songs from the show will be released on Friday 8 March.

2nd of July 1982.

Using a lawn chair and approximately 42 helium-filled weather balloons, truck driver Larry Walters defied all the odds (and FAA airspace regulations!) to make his lifelong dream a reality and fly sixteen thousand feet above Los Angeles.

No, seriously. In a chair.

42 BALLOONS is an uplifting musical inspired by the highly improbable true story of how Larry, and his partner Carol Van Deusen, convinced their friends and family to help Larry achieve his dream of flying.

Featuring an irresistible, 80s pop-inspired score, 42 BALLOONS questions how far you would go to make your dreams come true. Is the sky actually the limit, and what happens if it doesn't all go to plan?

Joining the previously announced Charlie McCullagh (Bonnie & Clyde, Dr.Zhivago) and Evelyn Hoskins (Waitress, Gypsy, Spring Awakening) reprising their roles as 'Larry' and 'Carol' from the 2022 staged concert performances in the West End, will be Gillian Hardie (Kinky Boots, Blood Brothers, Bag Girls The Musical) as 'Carol's Mom' and Lejaun Sheppard (The Book of Mormon, Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as 'Ron'. The rest of the company will comprise Simon Anthony (Guys & Dolls, White Christmas),  Jordan Broatch (You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown, Anyone Can Whistle),  Maddison Bulleyment (SIX, The Bridges of Madison County),  Athena Collins (SIX, Kin The Musical), Morgan Gregory (Elf, Newsies), Matt Jones (Pretty Woman, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Luke Latchman (Sunset Boulevard, Millennials), Rebekah Lowings (My Fair Lady, Ghost The Musical), Jamie Pritchard (Les Misérables), Laura Dawn Pyatt (SIX),  Tinovimbanashe Sibanda (Guys & Dolls, Moulin Rouge!) and Natasha Wilde (2023 graduate).

42 Balloons has book, music and lyrics by Jack Godfrey whose other works include This is a Love Story (Dundee Rep) and Babies (Lyric).

Ellie Coote (This is a Love Story) is director & dramaturg, with orchestrations, arrangements and musical supervision by Joe Beighton (SIX), choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento (How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, But I'm A Cheerleader), scenic design by Milla Clarke (Mates In Chelsea, Shooting Hedda Gabler), costume design by Natalie Pryce (VANYA, Newsies), video design by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Andrzej Goulding (Life of Pi, & Juliet), lighting design by Tony and Olivier Award-nominee Bruno Poet (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical, Miss Saigon), sound design by Grammy and Tony Award-nominee Paul Gatehouse (SIX, Mary Poppins), casting by Pearson Casting CDG (SIX) and music direction by Flynn Sturgeon (Roles We'll Never Play, The Three Little Pigs).

42 Balloons has been in development since 2020 with Perfect Pitch - an entity dedicated exclusively to creating, developing and promoting new contemporary British musicals. The song 42 Balloons and a Lawnchair was released in 2021 on Perfect Pitch's Rise:Up YouTube channel and in November 2022, the producers presented four semi-staged concert performances at the Vaudeville Theatre, which received a hugely positive response from public and theatre commentators alike.

Jack Godfrey said,

"I am so excited for the full production of 42 Balloons coming to the Lowry in April. It's been about six years since I started writing the show after discovering the incredible story of Larry's flight during a late night online deep dive, and it's extremely cool and slightly surreal to see it being realised as a full production for the first time. I'm extremely grateful for the amazing cast and creative team bringing the show to life and I can't wait to share 42 Balloons with everyone."

Wendy Barnes said, 

"It's our passion to produce new musicals with original stories - and original scores - by emerging artists, and we can't wait for audiences to discover 42 Balloons and fall in love with the show as much as we have. Jack's created a beautiful musical inspired by a remarkable true story from the early 80's and has written a pop score that stands shoulder to shoulder with some of the hits of that decade."

42 Balloons is produced by Andy Barnes & Wendy Barnes for Global Musicals & Kevin McCollum in association with The Lowry, Debbie Hicks, Sam Levy, S&Co and Kenny Wax.

VENUE: The Lowry, Salford
PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES: 18 April – 19 May 2024
BOX OFFICE: 0161 876 2000
TICKETS FROM: £29.50
RUNNING TIME: TBC – approx. 2'20mins
AGE RECOMMENDATION: This production contains mild swearing and mature themes including suicide. Audience discretion is advised. Recommended for audiences 12+.

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/42-balloons/

A fascinating new photography exhibition will showcase Salford people and the houses they lived in between 1890 to 1970.

Opening on the 25th of January and running for three months in the Working Class Movement Library, this free exhibition In the Face of Dwelling combines portrait photographs of the city’s working-class people with photos and architectural drawings that illustrate the types of houses they lived in.

Each portrait is linked to a different type of dwelling; some were very common, others were quite specific and have become obsolete. Most of the photos were sourced from Digital Salford but some were provided by people who lived all their lives in Salford. And the exhibition also features hand drawings, made by a recent graduate of the University of Salford, Laura Janicka.

Dr Tanja Poppelreuter, an academic at the University of Salford and Alex Mitchell are organising the event.

Tanja said:

“Seeing architectural drawings, historic photographs of houses, and portraits of people who lived in these houses side by side really does awaken our empathy with the living conditions of past generations.”

“When set side-by-side these images evoke memories and make us wonder about the daily lives and struggles of families in Salford.”

And Alex Mitchell said:

“Some portraits are haunting, shocking even, making us think about the living conditions families endured, others are sweet and amusing, reminding us that no matter how communities change over time, some things – like cutting a wedding cake, or posing with the new bike on the front lawn – never change.

“I would encourage anyone with an interest in the history of Salford and its people to come along and explore the exhibition.”

There will be a special opening event on Thursday, 25th of January 4-6pm at the Working Class Movement Library to open the exhibition, which is also free to attend.

The exhibition is part of the research project: The Modern Backdrop. To collaborate and to find event announcements visit: https://hub.salford.ac.uk/modern-salford/

New Adventures have announced that Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake will return for its 30th anniversary with a 2024-25 UK tour, playing The Lowry, Salford in November 2024.

This reinvention of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago and has since become the most successful dance theatre production of all time. In celebration of that ongoing impact, Swan Lake will take flight once more in this major revival.

Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake begins at Theatre Royal Plymouth from 11 November until 16 November before visiting The Lowry, Salford from 19 November until 30 November, ahead of the 8-week annual Christmas season at Sadler's Wells from 3 December 2024 to 26 January 2025. Further tour dates and casting to be announced soon.

Matthew Bourne said today:

"When our Swan Lake was premiered nearly 30 years ago it created a sensation that none of us could have predicted. I think we knew that we had a good idea but could never have dreamt of the impact it would have on all of us, our audiences and the wider dance world. I have seen over those 30 years how this production has continued to change lives, create new audiences and inspire young dancers.

"The inspiration of Swan Lake is central to our "talent development" programme at New Adventures, especially in our Cygnet School and Swan School, where we aim to develop the dancers of the future to feature in our many productions. Indeed, this new revival of Swan Lake will feature dancers who have been nurtured through these programmes, or through their professional development as New Adventures company members, with many of them making their debuts in these coveted roles.

"As our swans take flight once more in this major revival, I'm full of anticipation for the challenges it will bring for our next generation of dancers and the wonder that it will bring to audiences who will experience it for the very first time."

Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, this genre-defining event is still best known for replacing the female corps-de-ballet with a menacing male ensemble, which shattered convention, turning tradition on its head.

First staged at Sadler's Wells in London in 1995, Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake took the dance theatre world by storm becoming the longest running full-length dance classic in the West End and on Broadway. It has since been performed across the globe, collecting over thirty international accolades including the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production and three Tony Awards for Best Director of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Costume Design.

Alongside performances of Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake, New Adventures will deliver a programme of activity designed to encourage talent development, and to improve the well-being of children and young people through engaging them in dance. In addition to the New Adventures regular Schools Tour, this expanded programme will be specific to Swan Lake with further details to be announced.

LISTINGS

TUESDAY 19 – SATURDAY 30 NOVEMBER 2024

THE LOWRY, SALFORD www.thelowry.com

ON SALE 19 JANUARY 2024

Direct from its London festive run at Park Theatre, Original Theatre’s hit comedy The Time Machine comes to Salford to help deliver some post-Christmas cheer to audiences.

Steven Canny and John Nicholson’s The Time Machine – A Comedy, runs at The Lowry, Salford, from Tuesday 23^rd to Saturday 27^th January 2024.

The Time Machine - A Comedy, will star Michael Dylan (Wilf), Amy Revelle (Offside) and George Kemp (Jack Absolute Flies Again).

Join Michael, Amy and George for the premiere of their brand-new version of The Time Machine. H G Wells’ comic deadly serious masterpiece will never be the same again as this hapless highly skilled group of actors embark on a journey of a lifetime! 

Will George persuade the others to stick to the script he’s worked so hard on? Will Michael be able to explain time travel without the help of excessive props? Will Amy get to sing her Cher tribute? And ultimately… will they be able to defeat the space time paradox - or at least get through the second half? All will be revealed!

From the team behind the smash-hit comedy The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Time Machine - A Comedy is directed by Orla O’Loughlin and designed by Fred Meller, with lighting design by Colin Grenfell and Sound Design by Greg Clarke.

Warning: may contain Cher tunes. Age guidance: 10+.

Event Listing

The Time Machine

Tuesday 23^rd to Saturday 27^th January 2024

Tue – Sat 8pm, Thu & Sat mat 2.30pm

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/the-time-machine-a-comedy/

The Girls are back! With even more laughter, more songs, and bigger iced buns! Calendar Girls the Musical makes a welcome return to The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th January.

Presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd, Gary Barlow and Tim Firth’s production sees this incredible story continue to bloom with a reimagined book and new music.

Calendar Girls the Musical brings together a stunning cast of music, stage, and television stars. Baring it all in 2024 are Laurie Brett (EastEnders), Helen Pearson (Hollyoaks), Samantha Seager (Coronation Street), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans, Blood Brothers), Lyn Paul (The New Seekers, Blood Brothers), Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle’s War).  They are joined by Liz Carney, Colin R Campbell, Andrew Tuton, Jayne Ashley, and Victoria Hay.

Calendar Girls follows a group of extraordinary women in a small Yorkshire Women’s Institute, prompted to create a nude calendar following the death of a much-loved husband, to raise funds for charity. But upturning preconceptions is a dangerous business and none of the women are prepared for the emotional and personal ramifications they will face, as the fabulous and funny calendar brings each woman unexpectedly into flower.

The true story of the Calendar Girls launched a global phenomenon: a million copycat calendars, a record-breaking movie, now celebrating 20 years since its release, the fastest-selling stage play in British theatre history, and now a hit musical. With unforgettable songs, every performance continues to add to the millions already raised for Blood Cancer UK and prove that there is no such thing as an ordinary woman.

Calendar Girls the Musical is at The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th January 2024. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

Hope Mill Theatre is to stage a new production of the magical musical version of A Christmas Carol at The Lowry, Salford for the 2024/25 festive season, it is announced today.

Following their critically acclaimed production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022, Hope Mill co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton will reunite to co-direct a new version of A Christmas Carol, with Whelton also choreographing. 

As part of Hope Mill Theatre’s future development the venue is expanding their operations to produce its award-winning musicals on a larger scale in other venues and A Christmas Carol will run in The Lowry’s Quays Theatre from Friday 6^th December 2024 to Saturday 4^th January 2025.

Based on Charles Dickens’ 1843 novella of the same name, A Christmas Carol has music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and book by Mike Ockrent and Lynn Ahrens. It was a New York festive staple from 1994 to 2003 where it was presented annually at The Theater At Madison Square Garden and in 2004 it was adapted for television by Hallmark Entertainment for NBC starring Kelsey Grammer as Ebeneezer Scrooge.

The classic Dickens story comes to life with true broadway spectacle in this Musical version brought to you by Alan Menken (Disney's Beauty And The Beast The Little Mermaid and Newsies and Little Shop Of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once On This Island), and breathes fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.

Scrooge believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others. With an infuriated "Bah! Humbug!”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve which leads Scrooge on a journey through the Past, Present and Future. 

Cast and full creative team to be announced.

William Whelton said: “We are thrilled to be bringing A Christmas Carol to The Lowry. While we will continue to produce work at our wonderful home venue, it has become increasingly challenging for us to stage ambitious, large-scale musicals at Hope Mill so we have been exploring new ways to work in the future – which includes staging our work at other theatres. We are so excited to be producing A Christmas Carol at The Lowry – a wonderful organisation we have long admired that has a thriving, supportive audience. We look forward to our loyal audiences – and new ones - seeing this work in Salford next Christmas.”

Joseph Houston added: “While A Christmas Carol is a story we are all familiar with – especially at this time of year – when I was introduced to this musical version, I was instantly drawn in anew thanks to the legendary Alan Menken’s stunning music and Lynn Ahrens wonderful lyrics. It has everything you’d expect – from soaring tunes to full Broadway dance numbers. Myself and Will loved collaborating on Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022 and we are delighted to be bringing this very special musical to The Lowry for Christmas 2024. We can’t wait for audiences to see the special show we have in store for them.”

Matthew Eames, Head of Theatres (Contemporary & Commissioning) at The Lowry, said: “We are really excited to be working with Hope Mill Theatre to host their production of A Christmas Carol in 2024 and to be able to support Joseph and Will with their ambitions to grow and develop. Both The Lowry and Hope Mill have been bold in their commitments to musical theatre in recent years, including joining together to host the Cameron Mackintosh Resident Composer in 2020-21 and we are sure that our Quays Theatre will be a great home-from-home for Hope Mill. We can’t wait to meet Scrooge and the rest of the cast next year!”

LISTING INFO:

Hope Mill Theatre present A Christmas Carol

The Lowry, Salford

Friday 6^th December 2024 to Saturday 4^th January 2025

This evenings (Tuesday 5th December) opening performance of Life of Pi at the Lowry Theatre on Salford Quays has been cancelled at the last moment due to cast illness.

The Lowry ticket office has apologised for the inconvenience cause and has asked that anyone affected should contact the theatres box office to exchange their tickets for a later performance or for a full refund or call 0161876200 for further details.

There has been no update issued on further cancellations so we are assuming that all other performances will go ahead.

The celebrated production based on the film of the same name is to continue at the Lowry over the Christmas and New Year period until the 7th of January 2024.

The new Torben Betts thriller, Murder in the Dark, directed by Philip Franks and starring Tom Chambers as Danny and Susie Blake as Mrs Bateman, alongside Rebecca Charles as Rebecca, Jonny Green as Jake, Owen Oakeshott as William, and Laura White as Sarah comes to The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 23^rd to Saturday 27^th January 2024.

New Year's Eve.  A car crash on a lonely road brings famous but troubled singer Danny Sierra and his extended family to an isolated holiday cottage in rural England.  From the moment they arrive, a sequence of inexplicable events begins to occur... and then the lights go out.

This thrilling new ghost story by acclaimed writer Torben Betts will thrust you into darkness and have you on the edge of your seats until the final chilling twist.

Director Philip Franks said, "Horror films have been my guilty pleasure since I was a morbid child. Now is the time to find out whether many years' worth of jump scares and terrible nightmares can be put to good use. We'll also see whether my more adult theory – that horror often puts its finger on what worries us most as a society at any given time – will also hold true."

Torben Betts's previous work with Original Theatre includes Invincible, Caroline's Kitchen and the online play Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon.  Other work includes Get Carter, an adaptation of The Seagull for Regent's Park Open Air, The Unconquered (Best New Play 2007 Critics' Awards for Theatre in Scotland), The Company Man, A Listening Heaven (nominated for Best New Play at the 2001 TMA Awards) and Mummies and Daddies (shortlisted for the Verity Bargate Award 2000).

Tom Chambers is known for his roles as Sam Strachan in Holby City and Casualty, Max Tyler in Waterloo Road and Inspector Sullivan in Father Brown. He also won the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing with his partner Camilla Dallerup.  In theatre, he most recently appeared in the West End in Elf the Musical.  He originated the role of Jerry Travers in Top Hat, which earned him an Olivier nomination.  He also starred in Original Theatre's lockdown film of Torben Betts's Apollo 13: The Dark Side of the Moon.

Susie Blake has recently delighted audience across the country with her highly acclaimed portrayal of Miss Marple in The Mirror Crack'd. She is perhaps best known for playing the Continuity Announcer in Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, as well as her regular roles of Bev Unwin in ITV's Coronation Street and Hillary Nicholson in BBC's Mrs Brown's Boys. She has recently appeared in series one and two of Kate & Koji (ITV), Not Going Out (BBC One) and The Real Marigold Hotel (BBC One). Her films include Fierce Creatures and Nativity 3: Dude, Where's My Donkey?!. Her theatre credits include Fisherman's Friends: The Musical (Hall for Cornwall), Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em (UK Tour), My Fair Lady (Grange Festival), Grumpy Old Women Live 2 & 3 (UK Tour), When We Are Married (West End), Pygmalion (Chichester Festival Theatre), Madame Morrible in Wicked (West End) and Belinda Blair in Noises Off (National Theatre).

Rebecca Charles' recent theatre credits include The Dresser (Theatre Royal Bath), An Ideal Husband (Vaudeville Theatre), The Graduate (West Yorkshire Playhouse), The Father (Duke of York's/Wyndham's/Tricycle/Theatre Royal Bath), Les Liaisons Dangereuses, (Salisbury Playhouse), The Old Country (English Touring Theatre/Trafalgar Studios), Julius Caesar, (Barbican and Tour) and Great Expectations (Manchester Royal Exchange).  Her film credits include The Heart of Me, Bridget Jones's Diary, Shakespeare in Love and Mrs Brown.

Jonny Green can currently be seen as Charles in Count Abdulla on ITVX.  He was previously seen playing Jonathan Ellacott in Strike: Troubled Blood on BBC 1, Martin in Russell T Davies's critically acclaimed series It's A Sin for Channel 4, and Young David in the Netflix series White Lines, alongside Laura Haddock and Danny Mays.

Owen Oakeshott's theatre credits include Witness for the Prosecution (London County Hall); Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Guildford Shakespeare Company); A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Wars of the Roses (Rose Theatre Kingston); Market Boy, The Royal Hunt of the Sun (National Theatre); Roots (Manchester Royal Exchange); Way Upstream (Derby Playhouse); Antony and Cleopatra, Timon of Athens, The General from America, Henry VI parts 1, 2 and 3, Richard III (Royal Shakespeare Company); The Iceman Cometh (Almeida Theatre); An Inspector Calls (West End).  Recent television credits include House of the Dragon, Outlander and You Me & Them.

Laura White until recently played the regular role of Dr Princess Buchanan on BBC 1's Doctors.  Other TV credits include Aysha in Silent Witness.  Film credits include Gladys in The Colour Room about the famous potter Clarice Cliff.  Her theatre credits include Nats/Ms Almi in Home Girl (Derby Theatre), Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour), Sarah in the immersive promenade show C-O-N-T-A-C-T (London) and The Play That Goes Wrong (West End).

Murder in the Dark will be directed by Philip Franks (for Original Theatre: The Mirror Crack'd, The Habit of Art, The Haunting of Alice Bowles, The Croft and A Cold Supper Behind Harrods) and designed by Simon Kenny, with lighting design by Olivier Award-winner Paul Pyant, original music and sound design by Max Pappenheim, sound associate Johnny Edwards and assistant director Bethany West.

The UK & Ireland Tour will be produced by Alastair Whatley and Tom Hackney for Original Theatre with Trafalgar Theatre Productions and JAS Theatricals.

Murder in the Dark is at The Lowry, Salford from Tuesday 23^rd to Saturday 27^th January 2024. For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

Website: www.originaltheatre.com

Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @OriginalTheatre / @InTheDarkPlay / #MurderInTheDark

LISTINGS

Murder in the Dark

THE LOWRY, SALFORD    

Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 January 2024

www.thelowry.com         

ON SALE NOW

Running time: 2 hours & 9 minutes. 

Age Guidance 14+

A host of festive fun and frolics awaits you at the Brierley Community Hub Christmas Fair this December.  Join them on Saturday 16th December from 11am – 2pm for a family friendly day out, with lots going on for all ages.

Visit their Santa Letter Writing workshop, enjoy lots of Christmas themed games, do a spot of shopping in their pop-up Christmas market and even meet Santa and his elves in their grotto.

Enjoy live music and relax with a tasty treat from their on-site café and try your luck with their raffle and tombola.

They guarantee a warm welcome for all and an afternoon that everyone will love.

Brierley Community Hub and Café is one of five community hubs run by Aspire for Intelligent Care and Support in the Salford area.

Based on Longshaw Drive, next to the Little Hulton Family Centre, the community hub supports older persons and people with learning disabilities or complex health needs. The Christmas Fair follows the success of their recent Harvest Festival, where the centre opened their doors to local residents who enjoyed an afternoon of live music, food tastings and more.

“We had such a great afternoon at our Harvest Festival, that we decided to host another event in the run up to Christmas, but this time it’s even bigger and better. We welcome you all to join us, to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon for all the family. There’s something for everyone and it’s a great opportunity for you to come along and try our café too, which is open every weekday” said Gaynor Jacobs, Service Manager for Brierley Community Hub.

The Brierley Café is open every weekday from 9.30 – 3.30pm, and offers a selection of sweet treats, delicious home cooked food and daily specials. From now until the end of January, Seniors aged 55 and over can enjoy Soup and a Roll, or a Hot Drink and Cake, for just 99p each, every Tuesday.

There’s no need to pre-book a ticket for the Christmas Fair, simply pop along on the day and enjoy!

For more information, please call 0161 799 0656 or email brierley@iamaspire.org.uk

This festive season The Lowry in partnership with Archipelago arts collective is presenting SANTA MUST DIE! at Patricroft Conservative Club in Eccles on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th December. This new show is the latest offsite work to be taken to community spaces as part of The Lowry’s commitment to taking theatre to Salford resident’s doorsteps. It follows shows in recent years in Ordsall, Irlam, Swinton, and Clifton.

Written by Rosie MacPherson with music by Sean Ryan and Lyrics by Sean Ryan, Robin Ravi and Laurence Young. Directed by Matt Powell with original direction by Beth Knight and Laurence Young. Santa Must Die! is a raucous gig theatre show for the most difficult time of the year. A story about it being really sh*t when Christmas is all work and no play, and fighting against that which is meant to keep you down.

Nadia and Abed might just be the next big thing. They’ve started the North’s greatest band ‘Santa Must Die!’ and for one night only they’re playing their local. But it’s Christmas eve… and Santa is a bad boss.

Unending queues of demanding, entitled customers, minimum wage, no time off, unpaid overtime, zero hours contract. It’s about time the elves staged a riot.

SANTA MUST DIE! has been made in conversation with people who have experience of working on zero hours contracts at Christmas time.

archipelago is a theatre collective led by Beth Knight, Kirsty Pennycook and Sean Ryan that makes live, daring, and generous work that brings people together. Made with communities, for communities.

SANTA MUST DIE! was originally commissioned by Alphabetti Theatre and supported by Bradford Producing Hub and Arts Council England. 2023 Production supported by Arts Council England, Leeds Playhouse, Red Ladder and The Lowry.

Catch SANTA MUST DIE! is at Patricroft Conservative Club, Eccles on Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th December 2023.

For more information and tickets visit www.thelowry.com.

The annual festive event which is to be held at Peel Park in Salford will take place this Sunday December 3rd.

Registration for the run begins at 10AM, which starts at 11AM. 

Tickets are on sale now! With all proceeds going towards supporting more people in the local community of Salford with their mental health.

About the event:

In this family friendly event you can choose to walk or run 5km at Peel Park on December 3rd!

The event is open to all abilities and ages, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under 5 are free.

Fancy dress is encouraged but not required. However, there will be prizes on the day. There will also range of festive activities for all of the family and a visit from Santa.

All participants will receive a special 2023 Mental Elf Run medal!

Course Map:

If you're purchasing both an adult and under 16s ticket at the same time, this will have to be done in two separate transactions. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. 

Quantity of tickets can be selected at the checkout. 

Tickets & Further Details: https://www.mindinsalford.org.uk/mentalelfrun2023/

Photos: Mind in Salford

Manchester’s Christmas Parade is back on Sunday 3 December – with a special appearance by Life of Pi’s ‘Richard Parker’

Following a fabulous festive first last year for Manchester that saw the city’s first ever Christmas parade take place, the memory-making Manchester Christmas Parade is back again this year, with the countdown now on to the unmissable 3rd December event.

Filled with all the sights, sounds and sparkle that spell Christmas, the magical parade – plus an appearance from a very special guest – is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face and to bring some extra special Christmas cheer to the city as the festive season gets well underway.

Bigger and even better than last year with over 400 participants, the parade will weave its way through the city streets, starting at 1 pm from Manchester Cathedral and taking in Deansgate, St Ann’s Street, Cross Street, Corporation Street and Fennel Street, where the parade will end.

Think Snow Queens, Bouncing Elves and sparkling Christmas Glitter Belles, with an extra sprinkle of Candy Cane stilt walkers, Giant Nutcracker characters and Dancing Snowmen, all taking to the city streets alongside Reindeer, Owls and Festive Dinosaurs, as well as everyone’s Christmas dinner favourite Dancing Sprouts – and suddenly once again it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Of course, no Christmas parade would be complete without the big red man himself and we’re on a promise from Santa Claus that he will definitely be taking some time out from his busy toy-making schedule to come to his favourite Christmas city and join in.

And making sure it’s jingle bells all the way with live music, moves, and sounds will be the Global Grooves Nutcracker Bloco Band playing Santa’s favourite Christmas songs to get everyone in the festive mood, along with dancers dressed in their sparkly best Christmas kit.

Adding to the festive fun this year’s parade also features local school children who have taken part in ‘make and move’ workshop sessions to design and create some incredible parade-worthy Christmas trees and stars to show off in the parade using all the moves they’ve learned.

An extra special treat has also been lined up as part of the parade in collaboration with The Lowry and will see a special appearance from the star of the hit play Life of Pi which is at The Lowry from December 5th 2023 to January 7th 2024.
Based on one of the best-loved works of fiction – winner of the Man Booker Prize, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide – Life of Pi is a breath-taking new theatrical adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope.

After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, there are five survivors stranded on a single lifeboat – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan, a sixteen year-old boy and a 450-pound Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?

Families won’t want to miss catching a glimpse during the parade of ‘Richard Parker’, the life-size Bengal Tiger puppet featured in the show who will be appearing in the Manchester Christmas Parade, ahead of Life of Pi’s arrival at the theatre for the festive season.

The Manchester Christmas Parade is expected to last up to an hour from start to finish.  There will be an accessible viewing point for anyone who needs it outside Boots on Cross Street – with spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester City Council’s Christmas spokesperson, said:

“Last year’s very first Manchester Christmas Parade really was the heart-warming event of the season.  It was one of the best things we’ve ever done with such a brilliant festive and fun atmosphere, full of the stuff that Christmas memories are made of.

“We all know Manchester does Christmas better than anyone else and we can’t wait for this year’s parade – it’s going to be amazing and joyful, one for all the family.  Santa has already said he wouldn’t miss it for all the world.  Come on down and join us!”

Salford arts organisation launches its 2023 Festive Appeal to raise money for creative learning programme for young people

Appeal has been supported by Dame Judi Dench who has recorded a voice message that will be played at The Lowry for the duration of the appeal

The Lowry in Salford has launched its annual Festive Appeal, which raises money for the organisation’s work with young people.

Last year’s appeal raised over £50,000 which helped fund The Lowry’s life-changing programme of creative engagement work with children and young people across Salford.

This year’s appeal kicks off on Monday 20th November and runs until January, with funds due to be raised in a variety of ways including bucket collections at the end of performances, optional donations online when purchasing tickets, staff raffle, contributions at The Lowry’s Pier Eight restaurant and bar and contactless pay points around the venue.

This year’s appeal has been supported by Dame Judi Dench who has recorded a voice message that will be played in The Lowry for the duration of the fundraising campaign.

Jenny Riding, Director of Learning and Engagement, said:

“Last year we raised an incredible 50,000. We were so grateful to the generosity of our patrons, supporters, customers and staff – especially as we know times are tough for so many people financially at the moment.

“This year’s appeal will again help fund our life-changing programme of creative work with young people, some of whom are living with some of the most complex and challenging circumstances. These includes children who are not in education, young people in care, young people at risk of homelessness, young carers and families. These projects will use the power of the arts to nurture mental health and wellbeing, as well as develop confidence, self-esteem, friendships and skills to build brighter futures.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Dame Judi Dench, who generously recorded a message that will be played during the appeal. Every donation made really will make a difference to the lives of children and young people across Salford. Thank you in advance to everyone who supports our annual appeal and helps us change lives this festive season.”

The Lowry is a registered charity committed to using visual and performing arts to enrich people’s lives, presenting audiences with a diverse programme of theatre, opera, musicals, dance, music, comedy and visual art as well as events and activities to expand the horizons of audiences and artists alike.

At the heart of The Lowry’s work is a commitment to local communities and young people. Tapping into the work on its stages and in its galleries, the not-for-profit organisation offer thousands of free creative participation opportunities each year. The Lowry is passionate about nurturing talent, developing creative professionals of the future and raising aspirations.

Many of these young people have been particularly adversely impacted by the pandemic, and these challenges are now being intensified by the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The Christmas spirit is set to shine brighter than ever at AJ Bell Stadium, as Greater Manchester's much-loved Christmas Drive-In makes its grand return from 20th to 23rd December 2023. Now in its 9th year, this cherished event promises to be a highlight of the holiday season, offering an enchanting blend of classic Christmas films, delicious street food, and heart-warming festivities.

This year's line-up features beloved holiday classics that will light up their massive screen, promising a visually stunning experience for moviegoers of all ages.

The schedule includes:

• Wednesday, 20th December:
• 6:00 PM - Elf
• 9:30 PM - Home Alone
• Thursday, 21st December:
• 6:00 PM - Home Alone
• 9:30 PM - Elf
• Saturday, 23rd December:
• 6:00 PM - Elf
• 9:30 PM - Home Alone 2

Attendees can indulge in an array of festive street food, sip on our signature hot chocolate, and gather around a cosy roasted marshmallow fire pit. It's more than just a movie night; it's a celebration of the joy and warmth of the holiday season.

A firm favourite with guests, our famous in-car kar-aoke returns along with a special message from Santa, directly from the North Pole using his trusty Lapland-uplink, a gift from Elon Musk & Space X!

Jake Paul, the head of entertainment, reflects on the event's significance: "Christmas is the most magical time of year, a time for reflection, a time for people to get together and enjoy each other's company. The Christmas Drive-In has been a Manchester tradition for 9 years, and each year we welcome old friends and new believers to celebrate the joy of cinema in a very special surrounding."

In keeping with the spirit of giving, one ticket covers unlimited guests per car, making it an exceptional value for a memorable night out. Tickets are available now at www.christmasmovies.co.uk.

Location

AJ Bell Stadium, 1 Stadium Wy, Eccles, Manchester M30 7EY

Smash-hit musical sensation The King & I comes to The Lowry, Salford in January, starring Helen George as Anna, ahead of a West End run at London’s Dominion Theatre.

Helen is known to millions as Trixie Franklin in Call The Midwife, which returns to BBC One next month for a Christmas special and a new 2024 series.

Helen George will be reunited with her co-star Broadway and film actor Darren Lee, who played The King on Broadway, as she returns to the stage to reprise the lead role she played earlier this year to sold out theatres across the UK. Both have received rave reviews for their performances.

Directed by Bartlett Sher (South Pacific / My Fair Lady / To Kill A Mockingbird), this Rodgers and Hammerstein musical masterpiece will play at the Eastbourne Congress Theatre from 13 December – 23 December and then at Salford’s Lowry Theatre from 9 January – 13 January before heading to London’s Dominion Theatre on 20 January for a strictly limited six-week season.

Helen George said: 

“I am so delighted to continue to play the formidable Anna Leonowens in this incredible production of The King and I am thrilled to bring the show to Eastbourne and Salford ahead of the West End season. I think it so important to bring big lavish West End productions to the regions – Salford and Eastbourne are in for a real treat!”

Set in 1860s Bangkok, The King and I tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna Leonowens, a British schoolteacher whom the modernist King, in an imperialistic world, brings to Siam to teach his many wives and children.

The King and I is a sumptuous, timeless romance from the golden age of musicals, adored by the public and critics alike – and boasting one of the finest scores ever written, including Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You, and Shall We Dance.

Following the original Broadway smash-hit run at the Lincoln Center Theater, a sold-out season at the London Palladium (which resulted in the biggest live global event cinema release of 2018) and two record-breaking UK and International tours including Japan, this gloriously lavish production will be brought to the audiences once again by an internationally renowned creative team under Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher and feature a world-class company of over 50 talented performers and a full-scale orchestra.

The critical acclaim for Bartlett Sher’s production has been phenomenal. When the show opened at the London Palladium in 2018, West End critics heaped praise: the Daily Mail “left the London Palladium on a bright cloud of music”, while the The Times awarded the show “Five stars for a sumptuous King and I” declaring it “a hit” whilst The Daily Telegraph concurred proclaiming the show “looks and sounds ravishing”. Another five stars were awarded from the Sunday Express, Daily Express and the Financial Times called it “simply spellbinding”.

Event Listing

The King & I

Tuesday 9th to Saturday 13th January 2024

Age Guidance 8+

Running Time 2hr 55min including interval

Accessible Performance: Audio Described Thur 11 Jan at 2pm & 7.30pm. BSL Saturday 13th January at 2pm

https://thelowry.com/whats-on/the-king-and-i/

Matthew Bourne’s magical dance production of Edward Scissorhands has carved a place in the hearts of audiences world-wide since its premiere in 2005.

Based on the classic Tim Burton movie and featuring the hauntingly beautiful music of Danny Elfman and Terry Davies, Bourne and his New Adventures Company return to this witty, bittersweet story of an incomplete boy left alone in a strange new world.

In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family. Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?

School Rate available | To book tickets for your class, please call 0161 876 2003 or email groups@thelowry.com

Audio Described | Thursday 30 November 2023 at 7:30pm, by Caroline Burn. Touch Tour at 6:30pm

Age recommendation | 12+