For Jack, Queer Contact is about far more than a programme of events. He describes it as a coming together of “different genres, different sexualities, different ethnicities and different people in general.” At its heart, he says, “It’s really celebratory and fun. It’s a safe space for queer people, and it’s a vital part of pride in Manchester.”

Running for more than 16 years, the festival has become a long-standing fixture in the city’s cultural calendar, and Jack believes it remains a vital platform for queer creatives in Manchester. The programme has been desiged to ensuer there is something for everyone, spanning theatre, cabaret, film, live art and even line dancing, alongside bustling market stalls showcasing work from local queer makers.

And Jack promises this year’s festival is the best yet. “This year we’re running over two weeks, and we’ve got a real range of shows,” he says. From solo shows to cabarets and the returning live-art shows, Jack knows that the Queer Contact festival is worth as much of a visit now as ever. “We’re trying to represent as many different people as we can within the festival and get everyone together to have a really good time”.

The festival has grown into a cornerstone of the city’s cultural calendar. For Jack, its continued presence is more important than ever. “It’s the political culture and how we as a country are feeling less welcoming and less inclusive. I think there’s been a lot of really negative, damaging things happening to the queer community,” he says. “Although it’s not an activist space, specifically this festival, it’s about having that opportunity to come together and to celebrate and to be joyful.”

Although the festival has been going for years, there’s no plans for it to slow down, as Jack and the team constantly evolve and adapt the festival. “It’s definitely ever changing. It doesn’t feel stale, it feels current,” he says.

When it was revealed last year that Manchester Pride had entered liquidation, the state of queer recognition and celebration in Manchester felt uncertain. But Queer Contact has always distinguished itself as an entirely different space to celebrate the LGBTQ community, the festival remaining firmly arts focused. “Queer Contact’s specifically an arts festival… it’s very art specific based. It’s a very inclusive space. It’s very representative of the wider community,” Jack explains. “We’re trying to get as many things within the festival as we can so that everyone could feel seen.”

Accessibility remains central to the festival’s ethos, says Jack. With tickets starting from £3, and some events free, the aim is for festival-goers to celebrate queer talent without financial barriers, during a time where the cost of living continues to bite. “We really want people to be able to feel like they can come and see work and come and enjoy it and come and celebrate with each other,” Jack says. “We also offer Pinch tickets, these are our lowest priced tickets available and people can get them with no questions asked. It’s really about recognising who we’re here for.”

As a queer man himself, Jack recognises the importance of working on Queer Contact, and what it means for him personally to be able to showcase this exceptional talent over these two weeks. “This was the first arts festival I ever went to when I moved to Manchester,” he recalls. “It was the first time I ever saw such a wide range of what different queer art can be.”

There is an amazing display of talent within the queer Manchester community, and it’s important institutions, like Contact, have spaces for these talents to be recognised and upheld. “It’s important that everyone can feel seen,’ says Jack, “There’s work on display that speaks about my life.”

Jack recognises the cultural context of queer people in Manchester, and shares how he hopes Contact can offer more opportunities and events for the community that steers away from nightlife and partying. “Partly what drew me to Manchester was the queer community. Queer culture is often focused around the gay village, drinking and partying, and that kind of hedonistic lifestyle. Manchester definitely offers that. But I also think the city offers so much more than that for queer people,” he says.

There is a sense of belonging and familiarity for queer people in Manchester, something the festival hopes to also achieve. “We provide that space where anyone can come and feel like they’re safe”. Over two weeks, the showcase includes a solo show, an ‘anti Valentine’s cabaret night, an art market supplied by queer art makers, and queer-run western and country dancing. It’s jam-packed with something for absolutely everyone, so every single person attending can feel heard. “If we don’t put on artists that are representative of the entire community, then that community doesn’t feel seen.”

Queer Contact runs from 12–21 February 2026.

The post Queer Contact returns with a line-up showcasing the diversity of queer creativity appeared first on Quays Life.

The show is co-produced by pop superstars Steps and features their most beloved songs, prompting Rebecca to add with a smile: “Oh and it has the best music you’ll ever hear! Audiences are taken on a journey and they will leave the theatre on an absolute high.”

She knows what she’s talking about. Here & Now – which is written by Shaun Kitchener and directed by Rachel Kavanaugh – had its world premiere at The Alexandra in Birmingham last year and played for three weeks after it became the theatre’s fasting-selling show ever, with Lock earning glowing reviews for her performance as shop worker Caz.

“Like the audience she goes on a real journey,” the actress teases of a character who in an employee at seaside superstore Better Best Bargains (as a nod to Steps’ 1999 smash hit Better Best Forgotten). “She works there with three friends and at the beginning of the show it looks like Caz has everything she’s ever dreamed of, then her world is shattered.”

Lock is careful not to give spoilers, but it turns out that the shelves of the store are stocked with lies and betrayal and the summer of love (another Steps reference) that Caz and her mates have been dreaming of suddenly seems like a tragedy (ditto!).

She’s no stranger to musical theatre, with a vast CV that includes Elf, Curtains, Heathers, Mary Poppins and Mamma Mia! to name just a few. As with the latter, she feels Here & Now is a relatable story “with diverse characters that everyone can relate to”.

With a smile Rebecca adds: “And I love playing Caz, so I’m so happy that I get to do it again for the tour. I get to do comedy, I get to do pathos, I laugh, I cry and I get to sing all these amazing songs.”

Asked to pick a favourite number in the show, she settles on the slowed-down version of Love’s Got a Hold on My Heart. Then there’s the megamix at the end. “Everyone is up and dancing, and they have the biggest smiles on their faces. And I think we all need a show like this at the moment, with high drama, escapism, bright colours, happiness, some silliness and a bit of campery. And of course some banging tunes.”

Those banging tunes come courtesy of the UK’s most successful mixed-gender band ever, who have 22 million record sales and 500 million streams under their collective belts since they came to fame in 1997.

Their numerous hits include the song that gives the musical its title, prompting Jacqui Dubois to quip: “It’s the perfect show for here and now because it’s so joyful, and we all need some joy in our lives. It’s heartwarming, it’s funny, it’s got a bit of everything and you can share it with all the generations in your family.”

Jacqui plays Vel, who is one of Caz’s best friends at Better Best Bargains and about whom she says: “Vel’s been there for 25 years and she’s very loyal, both as a friend and to her work. She’s very warm and likeable, and like the rest of the characters she’s so relatable because she’s an everywoman.”

New to the Here & Now cast for the tour, Jacqui’s theatre credits include The Wizard of Oz, The Lion King, Rent, The Full Monty and Fame. A seasoned tourer, she’s looking forward to taking the show around the country. “I love travelling and it’s great to visit all these different places and different audiences,” Dubois says, adding with a laugh: “In Liverpool or Glasgow, for example, they tend to be a bit more raucous.”

When she toured in Fame she starred opposite Ian ‘H’ Watkins, who is in Steps alongside Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee. “So it’s a nice reunion,” she grins, adding that the band have been very hands-on with the show to make sure it has a strong story.

“The script is so good,” Duboi says. “When I first read it I was so immersed in the story, which really sets it apart. And obviously the music is great. As with all great pop bands, Steps songs are really catchy and they stick in your mind.”

Her faves? That’d be opening number Stomp, Last Thing on My Mind (“which is so much fun, with lots of trolleys and baskets and things”) and The Way You Make Me Feel.

Rosie Singha, who stars as Neeta, is a big fan of 5,6,7,8. “It reminds me of school discos,” she says, “and doing all the dance moves. I also love Better the Devil You Know and Scared of the Dark, which is my biggest number in the show where Neeta gets to let loose and have loads of fun.”

She already knew Lee before she signed on for Here & Now, since they were both in & Juliet on tour together. “It’s been nice seeing him again, and Steps are really behind the show. They want it to be brilliant, which it is.”

Rosie describes Neeta as “a true sweetheart and an optimist” who has a crush on fellow staffer Ben. “Never in her wildest dreams does she believe that she would ever be good enough for him, but she’s got such a tight-knit group of friends for support. They have the most amazing dynamic, where they’re silly together and they can tell each other anything.”

Of South Asian heritage, Rosie is proud to be in the show because: “You don’t often see South Asians on stage, plus this show has such a gorgeously diverse cast. On top of that, all of the characters are just living their lives with real-world troubles and fears. Audiences will see people that they know or can identify with.”

This is only her second professional role after & Juliet and she’s pinching herself.

“I’m really excited and I feel very humbled to be amongst this incredible cast, and it’s the sort of escapism that we need right now. The real world can be pretty scary at times, especially at the minute, so it’s nice that we can provide people with a night out where they can forget everything, have some drama and some fun and a dance at the end.”

Played by Blake Patrick Anderson, Robbie is another store worker. “And he’s a bit of a playboy and a bit of a commitment-phobe. Caz inspires the group to take a chance on falling in love, so he goes on that journey but his coping mechanism is definitely to be silly. He’s a really fun character to play.”

Blake was in the original cast and was part of the workshops, admitting with mock embarrassment: “Back then I didn’t know Steps at all, apart from one or two songs from my sisters growing up. That’s been a brilliant part of this – getting to learn about their music and how much people love it.”

Returning to the role for the UK is a joy because: “We had such a short run in Birmingham, so we were still very much exploring and finding the characters. Knowing that I’m going to sit in this character for the next few months is really exciting and the reaction to the show was insanity beyond what I could have imagined! I remember on opening night, as soon as the overture started playing the screams were deafening.”

Blake’s many musical theatre credits include Be More Chill, Gatsby The Musical, Rent and Closer To Heaven. This show is particularly special to him, as he explains: “For me as a queer man, there are often stories about moving to the big city and how you have to go and find your community. But Here & Now is about people who have found their community at home. I’m really excited to take this show on tour because it means that a real-life Robbie somewhere is going to see it in his hometown.”

Blake’s favourite song in the show is Say You’ll Be Mine. As for why he feels Steps have such a huge LGBTQ following, he muses: “There’s a lot of camp to their songs and they’re all about having a good time. Having met the band, they are so open and inclusive and so lovely, which is as much a credit to them as it is to their music.”

River Medway is another of the musical’s returnees. A familiar face from the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, he plays Jem – a Better Best Bargains customer, Robbie’s love interest and a drag queen. “So it’s the perfect part for me! Jem has his own drag persona, which the audience gets to see when he performs Chain Reaction. Maybe I’m biased but it’s my favourite number in the show.”

Since Drag Race River has toured the country and starred in Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch and Death Drop: Back in the Habit. He was hooked in by Here & Now because: “Steps’ music was a big part of my childhood. I trained in musical theatre and when this role came up it was like ‘I love musicals, I love pop music, I love Steps and the character is a drag queen. I’m in!'”

There was another reason why River said yes to the role. “With all the other shows I’ve done before, I’ve been in drag the whole time, whereas here I’m actually playing a real person who is also a drag queen. When we did it in Birmingham last year, it was the perfect amalgamation of so many things all coming together and with an amazing team. The fact that people like Shaun and Rachel, who have done such amazing work before, are involved reinforces just how good a show it really is.”

Echoing the sentiments of his castmates, River feels: “It’s a fantastic musical that has a lot of heart and tells a lot of really great stories that I think everyone can relate to. It’s about all these different types of people from all different walks of life – different age ranges and ethnicities and body types and sexualities.”

He grins. “And let’s not forget all those amazing Steps songs! They’ve always been really welcoming to everyone and their shows have always been about having fun and being yourself. The same is true of Here & Now.”

Here & Now the Steps Musical is at the Opera House, Manchester from 2 to 13 September 2025 before continuing on tour. Read our review

The post Behind the scenes with the cast of Here & Now the new Steps’ Musical appeared first on Quays Life.

The pair will co-manage England who take on Soccer Aid World XI FC in the charity game this summer.

“I have had some big fights in my career and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight!,” said Fury. “ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!?

“Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it’s even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year – and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!?”

As well as managing the squad Rooney will be taking a place on the pitch. “Obviously it’s great to lace-up the old boots again – and see some old friends – but the cause is the real reason we are doing this,” he said. “UNICEF needs our help. So, I promise we’ll put on a show for you this June if you buy your tickets to help raise money for UNICEF and for children around the world. I enjoyed the last time I was involved at Soccer Aid so much that when the call came for the 2025 match it was a really easy decision!

“I’m a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. It really sums up how brilliant Soccer Aid is. We have this in common: we’ll both be taking it incredibly seriously!”

It’s yet to be seen if Rooney can persuade ‘The Gypsy King’ to join him although Fury did tease fans this week with cryptic messages of him walking out at Old Trafford.

Joining Rooney on the pitch for England are: David James (Goalkeeper Coach); Joe Hart (Professional Goalkeeper); Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper); Gary Neville; Paul Scholes; Jermain Defoe; Jill Scott; Steph Houghton; Toni Duggan; Tom Grennan; Sam Thompson; Sam Quek; Steven Bartlett; Sir Mo Farah; Louis Tomlinson; Angry Ginge and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Brooker.

“Manchester! It’s about ten years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch,” said Louis Tomlinson. “As everyone knows, I am a massive football fan so playing with some legends of the game is a dream come true. Wayne Rooney with Tyson Fury in the manager’s seat – it’s gonna [sic] be a good one! It’s all for an amazing cause: UNICEF”.

“I don’t run around quite as much as I used to, which is why I play in goal now,” said Paddy McGuinness. “I’m representing all the dads out there, which is funny because the game takes places on Father’s Day this year – Sunday 15 June.

“This year’s Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford is going to be an absolute belter! I genuinely love this event – it’s a highlight of the year for me. I’ve been involved for many years now and still can’t believe it has become the world’s biggest charity football match.”

Since 2006 Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised more than £106 million for the charity supporting its life-changing work around the world like providing clean water, vital vaccinations and the opportunity for children to learn.

More famous faces are set to be revealed in the coming weeks but those announced today for the Soccer Aid World XI FC are: Leonardo Bonucci; Kaylyn Kyle; Nadia Nadim and Diamond (Livi Sheldon).

Leonardo Bonucci said: “I’m honoured to represent the Soccer Aid World XI FC – as a proud Italian!. I’ve heard so much about this great event over the years, so I’m really happy to finally make my contribution to this great cause”.

But while raising money for UNICEF is the uniting factor Bonucci couldn’t resist bringing a little rivalry to the game.

“I’ll do everything I can to make things difficult for some of my great rivals – in particular: Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes,” he said.

“I am so looking forward to seeing the Theatre of Dreams full of passionate fans. I know it’s a charity game – but I want to win, badly! I just hope I don’t make Tyson Fury too angry in the process!”

Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Tickets are on sale now at socceraid.org.uk/tickets

The post Tyson Fury and Wayne Rooney to form knockout team appeared first on Quays Life.

But the renovations were certainly back on track on a wet Saturday in May 2023 when Bob and I parked our car and walked the pathway to Hopwood Hall Estate. We were warmly greeted as we proceeded through the archway to the hall. The greetings continued from the many volunteers at their stations, all sporting beautiful sunflower badges, until we were shown into the Great Hall. I was immediately struck by the beautiful fireplace and the words ‘By degrees’ etched into the stonework. I noticed a gentleman with a clipboard, and I asked him if he would be so kind as to point out Hopwood DePree to me. “I am he!” was his response. “Welcome to Hopwood Hall,” he continued as he shook our hands.

Little over a year has transpired, and now Bob and I have come to know this extraordinary and wonderfully creative person, Hopwood DePree, who is putting his all into saving Hopwood Hall.

So, who is Hopwood DePree? Raised in Holland, Michigan, he graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. A critically acclaimed writer, performer and independent filmmaker, he now works full-time on the restoration of his ancestral Hopwood Hall.

Why would a talented, creative American come to Greater Manchester to save a crumbling stately home? The story can be told best of all in Hopwood DePree’s own words. “When I was six, my mother took our family on a road trip from Michigan to Hopwood in Pennsylvania – the town my ancestors founded after settling in the colonies in the 1700s. The Hopwoods remained there for centuries, passing the story of a long-lost English family estate down through the generations to my grandfather, who was born and raised in Hopwood, Pennsylvania, too. When my great grandmother, Alcinda Hopwood, married, she was concerned that the Hopwood surname would be lost forever. So, when my grandfather was born in 1911, she insisted that his middle name would be Hopwood, to prevent her family heritage from being forgotten – so this was how I also was given the name Hopwood. My grandfather used to tell me bedtime stories about our family forebearers and an ancestral ‘castle’ in England named Hopwood Hall. Of course, I thought he was telling me fairytales to make me proud of the name that caused me such grief in kindergarten.

“Many decades later when I was an adult living in Hollywood Hills, California, I began to have a renewed interest in the origins of my name and family history. Both my father and grandfather had passed away within a short amount of time and those losses left me searching for something deeper.

“I realised that I found a sense of comfort in tracing the past. Little did I know that my research on Ancestry.com and Google was about to lead me to a life-altering discovery, but that is exactly what happened in 2013 when I found photos of 600-year-old Hopwood Hall in Middleton, England”.

“In a flash, all the years of doubting my grandfather’s stories came to an abrupt halt. I was instantly struck with an overwhelming sense of awe and wonder. Was Hopwood Hall indeed the castle that grandfather had always told me about? Looking at the multitude of windows, the extraordinary brickwork, the numerous chimneys I thought it had to be!”

Having researched further, Hopwood found an email address for Rochdale Town Council and wrote asking if the Hall was still around. Happily, by the next morning, Hopwood had been contacted by a local historian, Mr Geoff Wellens, who was obviously truly passionate about the hall. It was not long before the emails moved on to a telephone call, and Geoff was able to fill in some of gaps about the history of the hall. Hopwood was sad to learn that the last two Hopwood male heirs in England were killed during World War I, along with no less than 24 staff members. The Hopwood parents, devastated by the loss of both their sons and beloved staff, felt they could not continue living on the estate. After 500 years of Hopwoods at Hopwood Hall, the family departed.

The hall was later bought by the De La Salle Brothers in 1946 who opened the De La Salle Teacher Training College, which trained thousands of teachers before its closure in 1989. In the 1990s the hall and its estate were sold to Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council who ran it for a short time as a community college. However, the upkeep proved too costly and in 1998 Historic England had placed Hopwood Hall on its Heritage At Risk Register.

Geoff posed a question to Hopwood: “When are you coming over?”
Hopwood travelled from Los Angeles to Manchester in May 2013.

He takes up the story once more:
“Upon arriving at Hopwood Hall, I felt like I had stepped into a real-life story book. The estate was everything my grandfather had said, and more. As we walked in, Geoff introduced me to Bob Wall, the matter-of-fact, straight-talking caretaker who had been hired by the local town council. Looking around at the state of disrepair, I could not help but silently wonder what exactly he was taking care of. Once I spoke with Bob, I realised that he, too, was passionate about saving the hall, but the place suffered from a major lack of funds. Both Bob and Geoff were long-term local residents whose families had lived there for generations, so they were quick to point out that their own ancestors had lived and worked at the hall.

“Everywhere I looked, I found astonishing links to my family history. I saw a fireplace inscribed with the year 1658, original beams dating to the 1420s, and a ceremonial wall plaque commemorating a 1689 marriage between my ancestors. I savoured the experience of seeing architectural features that my forbears would have used hundreds of years ago; the worn banisters they touched, the door handles they turned, and the inglenook they gathered in for warmth. Bob also showed me the small ‘birthing room’ where my fourteenth great-grandfather was born. The same wood panelling and fireplace, spared by the ravage of time, allowed me to reach across the centuries and connect with the past.

“Walking through the hall’s timeworn corridors, I was confronted by a stark reality. The once grand estate was on the verge of complete collapse, with crumbling walls, sagging ceilings, and encroaching mold threatening to erase centuries of history. Realisation quickly dawned that time was running out for Hopwood Hall. Bob informed me that without intervention in the next five to ten years, the building would collapse and become a ruin.”

I asked Hopwood if this was the moment that the ultimate decision had to be made. Would he decide to save the hall before it became a ruin?

Hopwood nodded enthusiastically.

“I knew that something unusual was happening in my mind. I felt an immediate sense of personal duty to help fend off the lead thieves, leaking roofs, and creeping dry rot. Faced with the estate’s grim situation, I remember thinking that if I was the only living Hopwood descendant in a position to do something to save the hall, then I must do it.

“Before my visit to the UK, my concept of historic homes was shaped by my 1920s Hollywood Hills stucco and red-tiled Spanish bungalow. Hopwood Hall began to redefine my understanding of history and heritage. In the coming months and years, as I made numerous trips back and forth from LA to Manchester to further the rescue effort, my excitement continued to grow.

“Learning about my family history from Geoff was an incredible gift that fuelled me.
Fortunately, he happened to be the caretaker of a nearby 11th century church with an ornately carved Hopwood pew, and cellars containing dusty old handwritten ledgers and maps. The church was a treasure trove of details about the Hopwood family, as was the town library next door.

“I learned that my relative Lady Susan Hopwood (1818-1906) who lived at the Hall was a pioneering environmentalist who spoke to crowds of thousands and battled for laws and fines to curb pollution from Manchester’s mills. Hearing her story and learning how she stood up and fought for her beliefs inspired me with confidence to do the same to help save Hopwood Hall.”

Toward the end of 2017, Hopwood obtained a UK visa and left LA to move to England full-time. He was on a mission to revive, restore and recreate Hopwood Hall so it could be operational once again. I asked him how his friends in LA took the news of his newfound path.

“Of course, all my friends back home thought I was crazy!” he smiled. “Nonetheless, I forged ahead and, with recently purchased umbrella and a wax jacket, I embarked on a new chapter.

“Hopwood Hall has taught me about reinvention. Like nearly all past residents of England’s historic homes, their ancestors had to constantly bob and weave around unexpected challenges to keep the estate afloat. Each century seemed to bring with it new industry; Hopwood Hall went from farming in the 1400s to milling wheat in the 1500s, followed by timber in the 1600s, mining in the 1700s, and textiles in the 1800s. These adaptions made my own leap from the entertainment business in Southern California to the restoration of a dilapidated ancestral home in the Northwest England seem quite reasonable – even though I had no construction skills, my creative spirit has soared.”

I asked Hopwood if he had formed a vision for the future of the hall – and he certainly has!
“I have been able to envision so clearly what the hall can become in the future. Perhaps for the 21st century, the hall’s new industry will be entertainment. We are well on our way with plans to develop Hopwood Hall into a destination cultural retreat with accommodation and art, theatre, music and film events”.

But had Hopwood received the legendary warmth of welcome that us Northerners are known for. He told me that he certainly has:

“One of the most unexpected joys that tethers me on this journey has been the forming of deep friendships in the UK. I have learned so much from residents. Like Geoff and Bob, many of these people have ancestors who worked at the hall and have brought wonderful photos and memorabilia depicting life at the hall over the years. Residents in the area have returned old books, furniture, and artwork that they believe once belonged to the hall. Some seniors have donated their family heirlooms – including a grandfather clock from 1699 – as a legacy gift to the hall. These donors have the comfort of knowing that their much-cherished items will be housed and appreciated for the long term. Other people have come forward with their own stories of relatives who worked at the hall during World War II. Indeed during the war, because management was afraid that their employees would be bombed in central Manchester, the Lancashire Cotton Company moved to Hopwood Hall.”

I asked Hopwood if there was now a typical day in his new life as saviour of Hopwood Hall. “Emails and phone calls consume most of the morning, then I meet with our team of heritage experts and our dedicated volunteers. With major support from grant funders such as Historic England, National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the Architectural Heritage Fund, we have been able to make great strides. I helped found the Hopwood Foundation for Heritage, Arts, Education, and Inspiration, and achieving UK registered charity status marked a significant milestone in the collective effort to save Hopwood Hall.”

I mentioned to Hopwood my personal admiration for his team when I met them, especially as I had the opportunity to spend some time on my visits to the hall to meet the volunteers. The volunteers have formed several separate groups, each focused on a specific area. On my last visit, the gardening club had won a second award for their work on restoring the hall’s gardens. There is also the Archive Club, which focuses on finding, organising, cataloguing, and protecting historic materials; the Fundraising Club; and the Preservation Club, which prioritises securing, protecting, and improving the hall. Hopwood Hall is literally a hive of worker bees!

One of the goals of the Hopwood Hall restoration project is to seamlessly interweave an educational component by using experts and artisans to train people interested in learning heritage skills. I asked Hopwood how this was progressing.

“We are engaging with primary schools, as well as nearby colleges and universities, and often run heritage skills training workshops to teach people how to make leaded glass windows, create and repair historic plaster designs and moldings, and carve wood. Additional types of crafts will be added in the future. It is extremely rewarding to watch someone (including me!) learn these techniques and then have their work incorporated into the hall’s restoration.

“The Hopwood Hall adventure has also taken me in other unexpected directions. After many people contacted me, wishing that they too, could locate their ancestral homes, I helped to co-found Storied Collection, a company that represents numerous privately owned castles, manors, and estates throughout the UK and Ireland. In collaboration with Ancestry.com, users can now search for ancestral homes, connect with the properties directly, and rent them for private stays, family retreats and weddings.

“Overall, my journey from being an American with a strange name to a custodian of Hopwood Hall has been a testament to the power of familial stories, community support, and a deep sense of responsibility. The restoration of Hopwood Hall is not merely about preserving the past, it is an ongoing narrative of resilience, adaption, and the enduring spirit of preservation. As the restoration efforts continue, I remain committed to ensuring that the rich history within these walls of Hopwood Hall stands as a testament to the legacy of all those who came before us.”

Of course, being the creative that Hopwood is, he has used the power of film and of the written word to document the renovation progress. He has launched a YouTube channel and has written a fascinating book, Downton Shabby, chronicling his adventure to date.

I have every faith that Hopwood will realise his vision for the Hopwood Hall, and, on that day, I am sure that the wording ‘By degrees’ on that beautiful fireplace I saw on my first visit will have a resonance; because, by degrees, Hopwood DePree will have saved Hopwood Hall Estate for posterity.

Visit website for more details.

The post Restoring Hopwood Hall – An American’s Journey to Middleton appeared first on Quays Life.

As one of the leading festivals in the north, MANIFF’s focus is on making a week-long event as entertaining for all their attending guests as possible. Whether they are budding film directors, big recognisable film stars, or simply film fans coming to support the filmmakers that they love. It’s the bustling atmosphere, paired with the stunningly real ‘Manc’ location that gives new meaning to the phrase ‘This is Manchester, we do things differently here.’

This year the festival will host 45 feature films and more than 100 short films. Northwest shorts is a returning category, showcasing some of the latest and greatest talents in the northern region. Juliette Holmes, a member of the awards panel, says: “The addition of the Northwest shorts category is a great way of celebrating stories and filmmakers from the region. It is a really popular screening, as so many local filmmakers attend to show their support to colleagues. There’s always a chance you’ll see a familiar face”.

Industry professionals like Luke Bather have attended and featured in recent years festivals, coming away with awards. He says: “MANIFF has always been brilliant, not only for being able to see amazing shorts and features but also for the people that I’ve had the chance to meet simply through attending the festival!”

From start to finish, the festival hosts evening events for their filmmakers to connect and unwind following the stresses a launch can bring. The festival is known for its positive energy that doesn’t stop when the screenings fade to black, with festival director Neil Jarem-Croft reflecting on fond memories: “From a 3-day festival to the 10-day extravaganza that we have now. What has been most enjoyable over the years has been meeting so many talented filmmakers and sharing their films with an audience”.

Kicking off the festival will be the UK premiere of The Convert, starring Guy Pearce.
The Convert is directed by Lee Tamahori and tells the story of a preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s New Zealand. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Maori tribes.

One of the highlights of this year’s festival is the UK premiere of The Trap, marking the directorial debut of Lena Headey. Other The world premieres hosted at the event include UK films Of God’s Men, Straight Through Crew, The Can and Die Before you Die.

The closing night also promises to be a cinematic treat with the screening of the latest Rose Glass film, Love Lies Bleeding, starring Kirsten Stewart, Katy O’Brian and Ed Harris.
The film sees Stewart star as Lou, a reclusive gym manager who falls hard for Jackie (O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder who’s heading to Las Vegas to pursue her dream. Their love soon leads to violence as they get pulled deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.

The festival runs from March 15-24 at Odeon, Great Northern. Forfull details of the films and tickets visit MANIFF’s official website. Here’s to the next 10 years!

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The festival includes a light trail throughout the town and combined arts performances including Surge 360, an indoor immersive dance piece where artist Tom Dale brings to life a duet between dancer and an animated light, and Sentinel, a multi-sensory performance of electronic music from composer, Richard Evans.

Carmel Thomason spoke to Richard to find out more about his inspiration behind the project.

Bands often produce and album and then take it on the road, but your album ‘Sentinel’ developed from your live performances. Can you talk us through how that happened for you?

Richard: “Sentinel was originally conceived back in 2016, mostly as a piece combining instrumental music with data visualisations around the climate emergency. At that point I hadn’t performed live for a long time so it was very much a return to the fray. It was first performed in 2017 for Manchester Science Festival, then went to other festivals around the country. During lockdown, I did more work on the songs as I wanted to put it all together in a recording. That’s when I started writing lyrics and singing, which changed the whole thing. The album came out in early 2022 and got some really nice reviews. This whole process has been quite organic, keeping it fresh from a creative standpoint as I’m not the sort of person who wants to do the same show now as in 2017”.

The album is a call to action around the climate emergency. How is that expressed in the album?

Richard: “I didn’t want to write polemical lyrics, so it’s more about what it’s like to experience this situation from a human standpoint. This is a scary time for lots of people for lots of reasons so the album and new EP are calls to positive action as much as anything – my view is if we give into despair in these distressing times, then we’re done”.

What was the inspiration behind the production for Prism?

Richard: “Because the visuals are projected onto the Waterside building itself, this totally changes the scale of the piece. It allows myself and the creative team to think much more expansively about how we present the visuals, the story we’re telling and the presentation of the music. Each of the songs are new versions created especially for this show and presented in a special audio mix. All of the visuals are new too, so for us, it’s really exciting and we hope the audience will enjoy it”.

How does the music combine with the lighting and visuals in the show?

Richard: “Everything is linked by a series of computers so it’s a grand technical exercise. As well as live synths and vocals, we use platforms including Ableton and Resolume. Our wonderful technical team – Joel, Tarrick and Hervé – make sure the machines all talk nicely to each other”.

What do you think this multisensory experience adds to the message of the album?

Richard: “Listening to an album and being at a live event are very different experiences, so to transition from one to the other means almost starting from scratch.
From a creative perspective, I’m very interested in total works of art – experiences that immerse the senses into a production. It pushes me as an artist to think in both sonic and visual terms. Although the subject matter is serious, we can’t forget that this is ultimately an entertainment experience and part of our role is to inspire and uplift people”.

How does it feel for you coming full circle back to the live experience with the album?

Richard: “I’m very grateful that there is still interest in this production after all this time. I’ve had space to refresh and reinterpret the songs for this festival, so it’s really enjoyable to create something bespoke for these shows”.

What do you hope people will take away from the show?

Richard: “That they’ve seen and heard something very different. That and the belief that we can change the world”.

Is there anything else you would like to say about Sentinel?

Richard: “I’m hugely grateful to Waterside for asking us to be part of this great festival and to the team at Things That Go On Things for putting it all together. We’re really looking forward to some special shows”.

SENTINEL is a free 20 minute show that will run each evening during the Prism festival using light and projections across the Sale Waterside building, to create an immersive, large-scale visual work. Catch it Thursday 23 November – Saturday 25 November / Thu 18:30. Fri & Sat 18:00 & 20:30.

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The Camerata 360° Ruth Sutton Fellowship, created with support of The Ruth Sutton Trust for Music, is a year-long and paid training programme for musicians who have graduated within the past two years in either orchestral strings or composition.

There are 5 places available from October this year, with the chamber orchestra offering hands-on work experience and training across all its community, outreach, performance, and creative endeavours.

A bespoke year-long programme will be designed for each individual fellow to develop a holistic understanding of Manchester Camerata as well as develop their own unique career pathway. Each fellow will also be mentored by one of the Camerata’s freelance musicians who will offer 1-2-1 time throughout the year and share their own first-hand knowledge and experience of the breadth and depth of Manchester Camerata’s annual programme. They will also be able to share and offer vital tips on how to sustain a career in this often challenging and ever-changing profession.

The fellowship is designed to offer an essential and broader insight into the workings of orchestral life to enable young musicians to develop their careers both in and outside of the concert platform.

Samantha McShane, Creative Director of Manchester Camerata, explains: “As an orchestra we believe that music is for everyone and in the significant power music can have to empower and enhance lives across all our platforms from performance to community.

“We recognise that artists can become compartmentalised as their careers develop, focusing on performance, teaching or community. But as an organisation who creates and offers work opportunities in all these areas and places equal value upon them – we are very excited to offer our Northern based Fellows the chance to experience all these areas for themselves. They too can then learn, create, develop and grow as music professionals in ways they may not get elsewhere or have thought possible.”

The work of Manchester Camerata varies from performing in front of thousands at Glastonbury or collaborating with electronic and classical music artists from around the globe, to working in schools and care homes across Greater Manchester. It is an industry leader in the field of music and dementia, having secured NHS funding to develop its ground-breaking Music In Mind programme.

Graduates joining the fellowship scheme will get full immersion and hands-on experience across all Manchester Camerata’s departments throughout the year as part of the Fellowship, from vital performance opportunities, community work engagement with schools, care home and music cafes, to marketing, finance, management, and leadership experience.

Fellows can also get involved in the Orchestra’s Think Tank events, gaining exclusive insight into research and development work with Manchester University with whom the Camerata work closely to continue its internationally acclaimed work in the field of music and dementia.

The Fellowship comes with £10,000 to support the year in addition to expenses for work outside of Manchester. Applications are open to musicians based in or near Manchester, Liverpool, Bolton, Leeds, Sheffield, Bradford, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Sunderland, or Middlesbrough. And it is hoped that fellows can continue their careers in the north and join Manchester Camerata’s talented pool of freelance performers and practitioners. Apply online by 11 September 2023.

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Carmel Thomason talks to flautist, Eliza about the development of the Freedom to Roam project and the power of art to inspire people towards creating positive solutions for a better future.

We loved the show when we first saw it at Stoller Hall back in February 22. It felt so relevant to the world then, as it still does now. What inspired you to create it?

Eliza: “I feel eternally lucky as a musician that what I love doing also somehow pays my bills. But I also feel we have a wonderful platform as artists; I’ve always been inspired by creatives who use their music, art or film to try to better the world, or the lives of others. I was desperate to set up something that resonated with all the topics that are so relevant today – climate change, mental health, humanitarian compassion, connection with – and the necessary preservation of – our natural world”.

Why did you choose to write an instrumental piece with no lyrics?

Eliza: “A good question! Many of us work recording large soundtracks for Hollywood movies with the likes of Hans Zimmer, Ennion Morricone – huge icons in the world of film music. I loved the idea that you can grasp people’s attention with just the music – attaching it to the stories in the film – and enhanced by the stunning visual art which completes the immersive experience. It was important to me that we didn’t introduce each track, that it runs like a film soundtrack , allowing the listener to be completely engulfed in the story”.

How did the writing team of four come together?

Eliza: “I studied at The Royal Academy of Music with Catrin Finch, we were great friends and both loved performing and wiring music from all genres. Jackie Shave and I met whilst touring with Peter Gabriel in 2010, she was leader of Britten Sinfonia at the time and we continued to work together on many recording projects over the years. She was a huge influence on me and the choices I made musically. Donal Rogers is my partner in life as well as Ranagri, and I love that he comes from a totally different style of writing – he can’t read a note, but can produce melodies and music that I can only dream of conjuring. To bring these wonderful friends together was a dream team.

“We actually did a lot of writing separately, as we weren’t able to meet up during covid, but I was very clear about the journey of the music. I’ve actually only written a small part at the top of the album, followed by music from Catrin and then several tracks from Jackie, taking us to the final tracks from Don. But it all fits together perfectly. You have to see it to believe it!”

The evening starts with ‘Connected’, a half hour documentary directed by Nicholas Jones, which you co-produced. What was the idea behind screening a film before the performance?

Eliza: “I didn’t really realise the enormity of my idea, until we were on our way to Scotland for the first part of our filming. But it was important to me – especially as the music was without lyrics – that we could portray the underlying ideas which have forged the main mission behind the Freedom To Roam ethos; that despite our endless negative bombardment of news, there are some ordinary people doing extraordinary things. There are uplifting possibilities everywhere, there are solutions to problems – small and large – and there are people coming together to work hard for a better world.

“Imagine if 80% of what we are told were the positive stories? The things we could all get involved with? This is an era of polarisation, of bubble-vision through social media platforms”.

Can you tell us a bit more about the visual art that accompanies the album performance?

Eliza: “Amelia Kosminsky is an incredible visual art designer. We had never met in person, due to social restrictions, until the first performance. But we spent hours discussing each track, the meaning, the topics we wanted to portray, and how the flow of the evening should be.

“All composers sent ideas over, and Amelia brought her unique interpretations which flow through the evening. From dry, arid deserts, to flowing rainforests, enslaved humans to the wonders of elephants, child refugees to the caress of a mother’s cheek with her baby. Interspersed with small shots taken from the documentary, and clips of music from the performance, it ties the triptych together”.

How does it feel as a musician to perform an album live all the way through?

Eliza: “Exhausting, exhilarating, uplifting, engaging. It’s the most amazing feeling at the start – to know you are stepping into 50 minutes of non-verbal storytelling – taking people on a journey with you. I absolutely love it, and it makes me nervous too!”

How important is it for you to produce work that speaks to social issues and why do you think music is such and effective medium for encouraging change?

Eliza: “Music has an ability to touch people in a way that many other forms of communication can’t reach. Whether it is classical, folk, rap, pop, we are all able to connect in some way. We know the power of music for illnesses such as dementia or Alzheimers, but using it to connect on every day topics, with people of all ages and stages of life, is a real privilege.

“I’m passionate about connecting people. I hate that we live in such polarisation, that we don’t engage in debate and society appears to judge one another’s politics and views and an often aggressive manner. We see podcasts such as The Rest Is Politics – two humans with opposing politics – at the top of the podcast charts. Why is this? In my opinion, people are in need of honest discussions, good conversations where we can listen to, and discuss, different opinions.

“I would encourage people of all thoughts to join Freedom To Roam, I’m keen to remain a-political, to be open to all opinions without aggression. If I can use my productions and music to encourage this then I will be fulfilled!”

The Freedom To Roam project is much more than a single album or event. Can you tell us a bit more about how you see the future of the work?

Eliza: “It is! Through Freedom To Roam I’m commissioning further collaborations – music, film, visual artists – with concerts and outreach work being planned for 2024. There are so many brilliant projects doing great things – Music Declares Emergency, Earth Percent, The Nest Collective the more we can use our mediums the more we can hopefully spread our message. I’m so excited about what we have in the pipe-line.

“I’ve always loved curating events, and love huge challenges. This pushed me to new limits and I’m extremely proud of what we achieved. I have big plans for the future, and believe you have to pursue everything you want to in life, no boundaries or fears. It takes all my efforts, and I’m a massive workaholic, but the rewards are amazing. If we can touch just one person, or motivate positive changes, my job as a musician and producer has been started. Touch a few hundred and I’ll feel happy, a few thousand and my job has been done.”

Is there anything else you’d like to say about the show?

Eliza: “Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far: Arts Council England, The Royal Philharmonic Society, Worcestershire County Council, and a successful Kickstarter Award. We have raised over £2500 for charities including The Born Free Foundation, Trees For Life, Malvern Welcomes, and Right To Roam.

“Interested in finding out more? Sponsor us, collaborate or just get in touch www.freedomtoroam.earth Empowering Positive Solutions Through Music Film And Visual Art”.

Freedom to Roam is at The Bury Met on 11 May 2023 before continuing its tour.

The post Eliza Marshall on using music, film and art to create a better world appeared first on Quays Life.

Pride in Trafford is now in its 5th year. How has the festival developed over that time?

Darren: “We had somewhat humble beginnings as small hyper-local festival, but we hopefully remain loyal to being a place to explore and celebrate identity and LGBTQ+ life.

“The festival is very different to more traditional Pride festival formats and art and creativity are really at the heart of what we do here in Trafford. We’ve built up some brilliant new elements including some brand-new commissioning of new work by theatre-maker Sam Danson, we’ve also grown our Pride on the Plaza family day following the inauguration last year, this year we will loads of interactive performances, plenty of information stalls and Mini Pride with Curious Arts in Sale Library. For the first time this year we’ll have an outdoor exhibition created by and for young LGBTQ+ people and a celebratory cabaret night to close the festival”.

The festival launches on The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. What is the global outlook of the festival?

Darren: “Whilst we can celebrate the change and advancements we have made here in the UK with regard to acceptance and inclusivity, there still remains so many inequalities across the world and indeed we can never take equal rights for granted, as the dangerous rhetoric that continues can and will have a detrimental impact on the lives of our community.

“Whilst of course our festival doesn’t have global reach, we believe that by increasing awareness and challenging stigma at a local level, this contributes nationally and shows solidarity internationally.

“We’re really proud that our festival focuses on children and young people and giving them an opportunity to celebrate and have their voices heard”.

Launching on the festival’s opening night and running across all four nights, is the world premiere of BI-TOPIA. What is it about?

Darren: “Bi-Topia is a brand new piece of work that is semi-autobiographical. The show explores the links between sexuality and mental health while also challenging societal norms.

“The piece has been commissioned by Pride in Trafford/Creative Industries Trafford and is being developed here in Trafford specifically for our festival audiences. The work is by Sam Danson, an amazing local artist who is taking their first steps into a solo show and follows in the footsteps of previous artists we’ve supported such as musician Minute Taker, theatre-makers, Dibby Theatre with First Time and the brilliant Girl Gang’s Millennial Pink.

“Supporting queer artists has and always will be a key ambition of our work at Pride in Trafford”.

What do you hope people will take from this event?

Darren: “Well, we hope everyone has a great time for starters.

“We want the community to celebrate just how brilliant and diverse our borough is and help us build resilience in the community and with our allies.

If we help one person to see their place in the world through the work we do, then we’ve done what we set-out to do!”

What else can people expect over the four days?

Darren: “Always a popular part of our festival programme; Laugh Riot, is an evening of alternative comedy talent (Stephen Bailey, Rosie Wilby, Marie Goulbourne and Jonathan Mayor on the bill).

“As mentioned, children and young people are at the heart of our celebrations and young LGBTQ+ people of Trafford have created a special youth pride event over at Gorse Hill Studios – activities include cardboard catwalk and drag race, screen printing, banner making and LGBTQ+ film screenings.

“We know that Pride events have the power to change hearts and minds, whilst raising awareness through activism. Emergency is a project based around young queer voices, culminating in an outdoor exhibition, highlighting the matters that are important to them around sexuality and gender identity.

“Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me – a twisted coming-of-age story by award-winning playwright Philip Stokes (Heroin(e) for Breakfast) that explores family dynamics, who our idols (a well known Yorkshire songstress) are, and just how hard life can be when you’re a little bit different.

“The final day of the festival we have a bumper programme of free activity, specifically for children and their families. High Tea with a Twist; a camp, glittery outdoor show. MiniPride – including story-time, arts and crafts with the brilliant Curious Arts team, Compact Disco; a mobile disco (complete with glitter ball) roaming the streams, plus loads of information stalls and activities for all ages.

“The festival will close with a party at Mano a Bocca featuring pizza, comedy, cabaret, and disco, as well as an appearance from legendary Manchester drag queen, Belinda Scandal”.

What is Mini-Pride and how can people get involved?

Darren: “Mini-Pride is new to the festival this year, we’re working with Curious Arts to deliver a celebration specifically for children in conjunction with Sale Library. There’ll be crafts and arts based activities, badge making and story-time sessions. Mini-Pride is a drop in event on Saturday 20 May from 12:00 – 16:00 and is open to all families of all ages”.

Pride in Trafford runs at Waterside, Sale from 17-20 May 2023.

The post New commissions for Pride in Trafford’s fabulous 5th festival appeared first on Quays Life.

What can we expect at this year’s Manchester Guitar Festival?

Vicky: “The second Manchester Guitar Festival takes place at The Stoller Hall on Friday 19 – Sunday 21 May, and is a full weekend celebrating everything guitar!

“Alongside the three headline performances from Eric Bibb on the Friday, Espíritu Flamenco Presenting Miguel Pérez on the Saturday and Manchester’s own classical stars the Aquarelle Guitar Quartet on the Sunday, there will be daytime activities across the weekend including performances from professional musicians, talented students from the RNCM and BIMM, a set of workshops and masterclasses and participation events for young people”.

Spanish virtuoso guitarist, Miguel Pérez and finger-style guitar expert, Jon Gomm are just two of the musicians running masterclasses as part of Manchester Guitar Festival this year. Can you tell us a little about how these classes work and what to expect?

Vicky: “The classes will be available for festival-goers to sign up to when they arrive, and there will be a variety of workshops across both the Saturday and Sunday, covering a huge range of different styles, techniques and sounds. Each of the workshop leaders involved will be showing off their own particular expertise – for example, Miguel Pérez will be walking participants through some of the techniques of flamenco guitar performance, while Jon Gomm will demonstrate his own brand of fingerstyle technique.
They, and several of the other class leaders, will also be performing as part of the festival, so you’ll have a chance to see their styles in action too!”

How good a guitar player do you have to be to get involved?

Vicky: “We’re aiming the masterclasses and workshops for all abilities, from beginner to advanced and we’re sure that whatever level you are, you’ll leave having learned something new”.

What about people who are just starting out, is there something for them?

Vicky: “Definitely – beginners are very welcome at all of the workshops. And you don’t have to play at all to come along – If you enjoy listening to this wonderfully versatile instrument, there are performances throughout the day that people can watch whilst enjoying a drink at our Atrium bar, and a snack from our festival food supplier HM Pasties.
Plus, if you’re inspired by what you’ve seen and heard to get started on the instrument, the team from Forsyth’s Music Shop will be at the festival throughout the weekend with advice, instruments and accessories to try out”.

It sounds like there are a lot of different ways people can get involved in the Manchester Guitar Festival this year. Why was it decided to develop the festival in this way?

Vicky: “We know that Manchester is an incredibly musical city – think how many great bands and guitarists have come out of Manchester over the years, and we were looking for a way to celebrate that. The guitar also gives us a chance to bring together so many different genres under one roof – we have classical, jazz, flamenco guitar, electric guitar, all linked by a passion for the same instrument”.

What is the Guitar Choir and how can young people get involved? Do you have to play guitar or can you join as a singer?

Vicky: “Despite the name, it’s definitely for young guitarists, as a chance to perform in a big group alongside other musicians. The participants will take part in workshops during the day, run by experienced professional musician and teacher, Mike Ciuputa, where they’ll get to learn new pieces and practise different techniques in a fun and relaxed environment. They’ll get to share what they’ve learned in a performance as part of the festival at the end of the day”.

The Chetham’s Guitar Academy is new for this year too. What does this involve?

Vicky: “The Guitar Academy is being run by a team of tutors from Chetham’s School of Music alongside special musical guests. It’s for young guitarists aged 9-17 who are a little more advanced and want to improve their playing through masterclasses, ensemble playing, and lively group discussions”.

And have you got something for pre-schoolers as well?

Vicky: “Absolutely – we welcome families to the festival. Stoller Story Sounds: The Little Green Dragon is for little ones aged 3-5. Through illustrations, storytelling and a dash of flamenco music and dance, help the scared Little Dragon, scared to breathe fire, find her courage and her treasure. Families are also welcome to enjoy the performances throughout the day”.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about the festival?

Vicky: “Whether you play the guitar or love hearing the guitar, we hope that you’ll find this a chilled and enjoyable weekend – and perhaps one where you’ll get to hear something totally new to you!”

How can people find out more?

Vicky: “People can head to The Stoller Hall’s website for more information and they’re also welcome to drop any questions to the team there at boxoffice@stollerhall.com”.

The second Manchester Guitar Festival takes place at Stoller Hall on 19-21 May 2023.

Read our interview with composer and flamenco guitarist Daniel Martinez

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