Martin ThomassonI couldn’t swear that the The Patience of Trees is the best thing at this year’s Manchester International Festival; I haven’t seen everything on offer. But, as an event, it has that necessary sprinkling of magic that will make it the experience I...
Carmel ThomasonWhat would you do if you got the chance to meet your all-time hero? That’s what crossed Martin Kaye’s mind when he found himself performing in Las Vegas as Jerry Lee Lewis in Million Dollar Quartet at the same time as his hero, Elton John was in...
Simon A. Morrison“It’s such a privilege being back on a stage,” says Damon Albarn, half way through tonight’s show. “And extra super lovely for me, being back in Manchester. At the festival.” Indeed, Damon Albarn has become something akin to the spiritual heart of...
Richard Thomas, Olivier award-winning composer of Jerry Springer the Opera, is launching back into theatre life post lockdown, as part of Jonny Woo’s All Star Late Night Cabaret. He tells Quays Life why he was quick to join the call to cabaret...
Do you have one of those brains that comes pre-equipped with an internal jukebox? Personally, every morning, I wake up and my mind immediately fires up that jukebox, flips in a dime, and on comes some track; a soundtrack as I fix my breakfast and...
It is a not-quite-paradox of human life that we are all the same and yet each is so unique. One way or another, these two facts underpin all of human joy and suffering. Take, for example, grief: so universal an experience for humanity, yet so...
Everyone benefits from regular exercise. But once we start any workout regime, it can be easy to quickly lose steam. Trying a new sport can sometimes be daunting for a beginner and finding like-minded people is a great way to both take the first...
Paul ThomasonThe Geomag Supercolor Panels set is a vibrant addition to the Geomag range of magnetic construction toys. There are two storage boxes contained within this set, which house the magnetic rods and metallic spheres that can be used to create all manner...
Georgina WellsHaving seen Theatre-Rites’ wonderfully immersive The Welcoming Party at MIF 2017, expectations of The Global Playground – the company’s offering for this year’s festival – were high. The fact that it was my first in-person, indoor theatre trip since...
I always feel obliged to stick around for post-show Q and A sessions. Perhaps, just maybe, one or other member of a creative team, will release some precious nugget into the stream of consciousness triggered by the host’s (or the audience’s)...