Wim Vandekeybus’ work for Rambert was originally created and streamed live last year, when people were “desperate for old-fashioned physical interaction,” with the camera placed in the midst of the company dancers. It’s impossible to recreate this...
In 1985 ‘Back to the Future’ was a box office sensation that spurned two sequels and has stood the test of time as a classic favourite. If you didn’t grow up watching this series of movies – one, go see them and two, those who did are still huge...
I met Peter Street In the late 1980’s. He had written a book of poems and I thought he would make an interesting guest for my then BBC Radio Manchester programme. I remember Peter coming into the studio, I was struck by his openness, his almost...
I 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...
“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...
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...
The 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...
Kitchen play sets are a toy all young children should have access to, given that they help strengthen social and fine-motor skills, improve hand eye co-ordination and trigger their imagination. To meet this need, Danish toy manufacturers, Dantoy...
The nice woman working security at the Lowry approaches me with her metal-detecting device.“Do you have a pacemaker,” she asks. “I don’t think so.” This is not to be found on anyone’s list of Sensible Answers. What was I thinking? That some rogue...