Quays Life A lifestyle webzine based-in Salford Quays

Manchester Collective Wintering. Photo by Chris Payne

Music Reviews

Wintering: Review

This year will be the third in a row that Samantha Fernando opens a copy of Wintering, by Katherine May. Throughout its deep and wandering journey that considers embracing the fallow periods of life...

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TINA - THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL. Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy (Tina Turner) and Company. Photo by Johan Persson

Reviews Theatre

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical: Review

My first ever stadium gig as a child was watching the late Tina Turner at Gateshead International Stadium in 1990. It was billed as a farewell tour – which of course it wasn’t. Much to the delight of...

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Wintering with Samantha Fernando © Mike Skelton

People

Samantha Fernando’s music is balm for winter’s long, cold nights

Amid a blizzard of Christmas markets, holiday shoppers, and one of the coldest Novembers in years, composer Samantha Fernando is stepping out to bring a moment of calm to Manchester this winter. Her...

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Travel

Fancy a sailing holiday? What first timers need to know

Sailing holidays can be a bit of a niche travel idea. It’s the kind of trip where you’ll be spending the bulk of your time on the water, and unlike a cruise, you’re not just aiming to get from A to B...

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Reviews

Top Hat at Chichester Festival Theatre in 2025

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Reviews Theatre

Top Hat: Review

Cathy CrabbAdd comment

A camp old time was had of it at the Opera House with Top Hat. A flighty on its shoes show with classic Irving Berlin songs and a stellar cast of triple threats. Jerry Travers (Phillip Attmore), a Broadway sensation, helps an old boy out by coming...

Matthew Bourne's production of THE RED SHOES. Ashley Shaw as Victoria Page.

Dance Reviews

Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes: Review

Carmel Thomason

Perfect Show For Rachel Photo by Ikin Yum

Reviews Theatre

Perfect Show for Rachel: Review

Leslie James Kerwin

To do & see

Reviews Theatre

Tina – The Tina Turner Musical: Review

Carmel Thomason

My first ever stadium gig as a child was watching the late Tina Turner at Gateshead International Stadium in 1990. It was billed as a farewell tour – which of course it wasn’t. Much to the delight of her fans, this born performer was back at the...

To do & see Travel

The only swing bridge aqueduct in the world

Lorraine Worsley-Carter

Lorraine Worsley-Carter stumbles upon a unique wonder of the canal age in Salford After taking a short cut to our favourite Trafford DIY store, our sat-nav suggested a route which took us over an old bridge which we had not traversed before...

Dog's Life Travel

Life as a well-travelled pooch

Lorraine Worsley-Carter

Take a stroll down any high street in the UK or across Europe, and it’s clear that the pet dog population has boomed since the pandemic. With more people welcoming a furry friend into the family, holidays are starting to look a little different...

Bryher, Isles of Scilly, All Saints, United Kingdom Photo by Annie Sprat on Unsplash

Travel

4 hidden gems in the UK to escape the crowd

Sarah Antonie

England is one of the most travelled countries in the world. But while millions of tourists visit Manchester and London every year fewer venture off the tourist path to discover England’s hidden gems. There is a lot to see and do, from a...

People

Matthew Bourne's production of THE RED SHOES. Glenn Graham (Grischa Ljubov) and Ashley Shaw (Victoria Page). Photo by Johan Persson

People To do & see

Sir Matthew Bourne on the challenges of bringing The Red Shoes to the stage

Carmel Thomason

Double Olivier award-winning ballet The Red Shoes returns to Lowry, Salford on its 10th anniversary tour, which includes 11 of the original cast. The fairytale show, which tells of one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world, is...

People To do & see

How PhD research is influencing Contact’s festive panto

Thomas Corner

After a two year break, pantomime is back at Contact, Manchester with a fun-packed production of Rumpelstiltskin from The Big Tiny Company that is reinventing the genre. The Big Tiny’s unique approach to pantomime is guided by co-director Ben...