Martin ThomassonThe region’s cultural shores are currently awash with new musicals. Bolton’s Octagon Theatre is right now premiering, “The Book Thief – the musical”. A couple of weeks back, here at the Lowry, your doughty reviewer saw, “Identical – the...
Dave PorterApproaching Shakespeare North Playhouse with my companion for the evening, a woman in jeans and a trench coat looking like a misfit Liam Gallagher bounds past us pursued by a security guard shouting at her to stop. We turn the corner to see the...
Carmel ThomasonGeomag World has been creating toys since 1998. Even with all the digital technology we have today these magnetic construction toys still have the power to keep kids entertained for hours away from screens. The Geomag Glow and Geomag Glitter are two...
Comedian and new mum, Amy Vreeke talks to Carmel Thomason about debunking the myths of motherhood in her new stand-up show, Glowing, and using humour to put people at ease to shine a spotlight on some of the trickier topics of life. How are you...
In the 1990s Claud Cunningham and Paula Gannon-Lewis launched a new Manchester club night, Black Angel providing the first women-centred safe place for LBT women of colour to come together and be themselves. 25-years on, the pioneering club night...
In handing over his entire back catalogue (40 albums) with permission to “use any songs in any way he liked”, Bob Dylan dealt the gifted Irish writer, Conor McPherson a far better hand than, for example, Benny and Bjorn allowed Catherine Johnson...
Steve TimmsDenial isn’t only a river in Egypt, it’s a form of optimism. We all know at least one person whose need to look on the bright side gives the impression they’ve been brainwashed in a cult. Toxic positivity – yes, it’s a thing. ‘Live your best life’...
The best showbiz anecdote I’ve heard concerns bequiffed 50’s rock n’ roller Little Richard, and the time he was pulled over by traffic Police in a state of agitation. Where was ‘Richard Perryman’ (real name) driving to so early on Sunday morning? A...
Gore Vidal’s nickname for Tennessee Williams was Bird, because of the way his characters were always in flight from something, usually reality. This is nowhere more in evidence than in The Glass menagerie, his first work which is being staged at the...
Just under a ten minute stroll from Piccadilly railway station, allowing that your sense of direction is better than mine, (head down Fairfield St, turn left onto Travis St, then right into Gidding Rd), you’ll find the Track Brewery Company’s...