Carmel ThomasonStarring in the UK’s first ever tour of Baz Luhrmann’s Strictly Ballroom is a childhood dream come true, Kevin Clifton and Faye Brookes tell Quays Life: When Kevin Clifton was 10 years old he watched the film of Strictly Ballroom and, as...
When the tour of new comedy The Way Old Friends Do opened in February, no-one could have imagined the next month we’d be saying goodbye to Paul O’Grady. On hearing his distinctive Scouse voice open the show audiences would probably laugh before any...
Christine Mackie, aka Coronation Street’s Dr Gaddas, is taking a break from the cobbles to take on the title role in an all female and non-binary production of King Lear. She talks to Carmel Thomason about preparing for one of theatre’s...
The innovative reimagining of classic stories has been an intriguing theme on the Lowry stage in recent weeks. Just last week we watched a 21st century, beatboxing Oliver Twist in Michael Rosen’s Unexpected Twist. And this week, Rudyard Kipling’s...
OutStageUs, Hive North’s annual competition to discover new writing within and about the LGBTQ+ community, is open for entries. Quays Life talks to Mike Lee, Hive North Executive Producer and co-writer of #BeMoreMartyn: The Boy with the...
The speed at which Michael Rosen’s 2018 book, Unexpected Twist has been adapted for the stage tells us a lot about the strength of his story. His idea emerged from wanting to help kids better understand Dickens and why we still read his work today...
Roy Williams’ play, Sucker Punch tells the story of two young black teenagers against a backdrop of Thatcherite politics and the simmering racial tensions in the 1980s. Director, Nathan Powell tells Claire Lishman how the tale struck a chord with...
Musician and producer, Eliza Marshall brings her award-winning album, Freedom to Roam – The Rhythms of Migration back on tour, with a stop at Bury Met on 11 May. The event, which includes the screening of a documentary film by Director...
Pride in Trafford is five and fabulous, commissioning brand new work for the 4-day festival, with more than half of the events free to either attend or participate in. Carmel Thomason caught up with Waterside Arts Centre Manager, Darren Adams to...
Manchester Guitar Festival returns to the Stoller Hall for a second year with headline performances from Eric Bibb, Miguel PĂ©rez and Aquarelle Guitar Quartet. And this year there are lots of opportunities for everyone to get involved. Carmel...