Everyone knows who the Monkees are, even 40 years after they were at their prime young and old alike (and celebrity sighting of the evening, Dev from Corrie,) gathered to immerse ourselves in the splendour of the flare-wearing original boy-band. It took a little while to get into the tone of the musical, wondering at […]

The Sunday Times Magazine has brought its collection of writing and photography to Manchester’s CUBE Gallery. The free exhibition celebrates the glossy magazine’s 50th year since its first publication, which was heralded by the then owner’s groans of ‘my God, this is going to be a disaster’. Of course the exhibition proves him completely wrong. […]

Roberto Fonseca, the jazz pianist from Cuba and his motley-crew of musicians succeeded in stunning the audience of Mancunians who filled the Royal Northern College of Music last month. The evening was coloured with musical variety from poignant cello solos from support act Ayanna, described as the, ‘pioneer of Black folk music’, to frenzied African-influenced […]

Vampirette is the brand-spanking new musical comedy premiering at Manchester Opera House on Friday 4th May-19th May.  Written by Jonathan Choat, Vampirette introduces the world to Vampi, a teenage vampire girl determined to be normal. The musical’s designer Amy Jackson, a graduate from Wimbledon School of Art, has designed for numerous productions over the years […]

On Wednesday 21st March be ready to wet your comedy whistles with the witty delights of Chris Ramsey and Tom Deacon. Recognise the names? Chris is a young Geordie comic who is currently on a spring tour, making huge waves in the comedy scene.  He has appeared on 8 out of 10 cats, Celebrity Juice, […]

Although most of you may be taking the Easter hols as a time to feast on the luxuries of home living, some (third years) may be living in the library only coming out for air in the evenings. Over this sparse and generally dull period of revision, let jazz into your world because Manchester seems […]

Before he wows the crowds at Owens Park on 21st March, comedian Chris Ramsey was jolly lovely enough to answer a few questions for The Mancunion. Cheers Chris. Dani Middleton: Nice obvious question first: what’s your favourite thing about being a comedian? Chris Ramsey: Has to be the performing. I love getting to make people […]

There was a surreal atmosphere with the warm sun driving in on a March day, feeling more like June (at least, June in Manchester) through Oldham’s labyrinth of roads winding around the countless construction sites which are heralding the rebranding of the town. However, the exhibition I was heading to, Charlie Meecham’s photographic Oldham Road, […]

On Monday 12th March, Manchester Opera House opens its doors to the horrors of Dr Haze’s circus, bringing with him a cast of blood-curdling, thrill inspiring dare devils. Spectacular contortionists throwing arrows from their feet, demon dwarfs, flying aerialists, gyrating jugglers, voodoo warriors, pickled people and a modern take on the traditional act of sword-swallowing, swapping the sharp pointy weapon for a lit […]

There is an eerie feel about entering the Pankhurst Centre. It is not a grand building which has been built for the purpose of holding great works of art or important historical artefacts, but a simple house, once the home of Suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. Today it serves as a museum and is currently showing the […]

Chinese artist Chen Man broke into the art world with her otherworldly photography for Vision, a Shanghai-based fashion and arts magazine. Since then she has continued to work with fashion giants such as Vogue, and has also been involved in advertising for international brands. Now, a selection of her work is on display in the […]

Following Cofilmic’s launch at the end of October, the evening was another successful one for Cofilmic founder Janet Harrision. The Manchester based comedy film festival is spreading its wings and taking the short film entries around the country. On Tuesday 21st February, Cofilmic came to The Cornerhouse as part of the Exposures festival and showcased […]

D H Lawrence’s The Daughter-in-Law, named as his masterpiece, depicts a set of industrial unrest, elusive desires and flaming tensions erupting from a Nottinghamshire home. This portrayal of working class mining culture in 1912 is infused with the mother-in law, daughter-in-law relationship, stemming from Mrs Gascoigne’s rigid grasp of her son, Luther. The opening scene […]

Elektro Kif are a French Elektro dance troop consisting of some shockingly youthful dancers for their abilities. Their performance was choreographed elegantly considering the music they were jiving to, but most impressive was their synchronisation. They moved as if one single entity, to put it bluntly. With one of the group separating off to make […]

This unique performance from The Chinese State Circus was exhilarating and undeniably gripping throughout. It showcased a traditional Chinese art form which ranged from balancing on bicycles to smashing bricks on each others’ heads. The audience seemed mesmerised by the performances and the theatre was filled with gasps innumerable times. The show reflected the Chinese […]

Vive Le Cabaret’s dazzling Valentine’s Day special promised a night to remember and it certainly did not disappoint. The venue and soundtrack at The Lowry Theatre were an ideal setting for the night’s flamboyant events with red satin tables, classy decor and a medley of old jazz and swing with a contemporary edge. The night […]

I’m not sure what I was expecting from A Flash of Light: The Dance Photography of Chris Nash – just pointe shoes and the perfect arabesque, perhaps. I couldn’t have been more wrong; these are extraordinary images that are all charged with energy, immediacy and a vibrant vitality. Surprisingly, from a collection of colour-saturated images, […]

COTTON: Global Threads, the Whitworth Art Gallery’s contribution to London 2012 Cultural Olympiad programme Stories of the World, aptly fulfils its brief.  Ranging from Egyptian textiles to contemporary installations, the exhibition tells a universal tale of the production of cotton, and the effects of its consumption, trade and disposal.  In contrast to Manchester’s February misty […]

As January reared its ugly head with impractical New Year resolutions and post-festivity blues, we were all in need of a pick-me-up, and what better way to do so than see in the birthday of one of the most celebrated and acclaimed sporting heroes of all time, Muhammad Ali. This year the self proclaimed ‘king’ […]

For an exhibition born out of long waits in departure lounges, Under That Cloud is refreshingly packed with diverse ideas and a spectrum of emotional reactions. The jewellery featured in the collection is the work of 18 international artists who were stranded together in Mexico City, under the dark cloud of volcanic ash that closed […]