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Matthew Bourne's Edward Scissorhands Credit: Johan Persson

Dance Reviews

Edward Scissorhands – Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures: Review

As the first real frost of winter sets in, it feels like even the weather has aligned to create the perfect setting for the enchanting return of Edward Scissorhands. In this dance version, Matthew...

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Seeta Patel Dance, The Rite of Spring, Sadlers Wells, 2023. Photo © Foteini Christofilopoulou.

Dance Reviews

Seeta Patel Dance The Rite of Spring: Review

Seeta Patel is surely the UK’s prime proponent of Bharatanatyam, the classical south Asian dance form. Whilst it is still the case that this form is less well known in this country than Kathak, that...

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People

Elvi Piper – we hope every child leaves questioning the world

Following its 2020 online festive show, Humbug and 2021 Christmas show, Not So Ugly Sisters, Wrongsemble Theatre Company return to Waterside, Sale with a musical re-imagining of Snow Queen. Writer...

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Opera North La Rondine by Puccini ©Tristram Kenton

Opera Reviews

Opera North La rondine: Review

La rondine (The swallow) brings Opera North’s autumn tour to a glamourous close at The Lowry. It is the third production from the company performed at Salford this week as part of its Green Season...

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Reviews

Opera North Masque of Might. Photo James Glossop

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Opera Reviews

Opera North Masque of Might: Review

Martin ThomassonAdd comment

One reviewer described this show as ‘brilliantly bonkers.’ I shall strive to be similarly generous, but I give you fair warning: I expect to fall some way short. To begin at the beginning… We are gathered to witness the birth of Diktat, a strongman...

Opera North's Falstaff. Photo Richard H Smith

Opera Reviews

Opera North Falstaff: Review

Martin Thomasson

I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY. Jessica Daley and Company. Photo Marc Brenner.jpg

Reviews Theatre

I Should Be So Lucky: Review

Jeremy Craddock

To do & see

Salford Quays To do & see

Francis House’s popular Festival of Trees opens for bids

Carmel Thomason

The countdown to Christmas has begun at Salford Quays as Francis House opens the bidding on its fundraising Festival of Trees. This year 40 decorated trees and gifts have been donated by individuals, groups and businesses in the region. Francis...

Charlie Cook's Favourite Book © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2005 - Macmillan Children's Books

Art People

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler reveal their creative process for a new exhibition

Carmel Thomason

If asked to name last year’s overall bestselling author in the UK, who would you pick? Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling? Horror writer Stephen King? Master of mystery, Richard Osman? You’d be wrong on all three counts. In fact, Julia Donaldson took...

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...

Games Reviews

Taskmaster – The Board Game: Review

Paul Thomason

Paul Thomason spends a creative, fun and competitive afternoon playing Taskmaster which brings all the silliness of the TV show to your front room. It must have been the ultimate task for board game producers, Ginger Fox but somehow they’ve...

People

People

New owners of Billington’s bring back the dance

Lorraine Worsley-Carter

It was a great loss for the people of Oldham and beyond, when Billington’s Dance Studio, at 3 Ascroft Street, held its last waltz in February 2016. The building , over a century old started its life hosting ‘The Aerated Water Company’ and its...

Romeo & Juliet - Shalisha James-Davis (Juliet) & Conor Glean (Romeo) Image - Ella Mayamothi

People To do & see

Shalisha James-Davis on the most romantic of Shakespeare’s roles

Carmel Thomason

Shalisha James-Davis, who plays Nurse Paige Allcott in BBC 1 drama, Casualty, is making her Royal Exchange stage debut in a fiery retelling of Shakespeare’s tragic love story. She talks to Quays Life about what it’s like to recreate one of the...