Edmund the Learned Pig at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Susie Stubbs

A wondrous and darkly pleasant musical tale of a pig who taught himself to read – world premiere.

Bonaparte’s travelling circus show and marvellous menagerie was on its uppers. It had a zoo with just pigeons, an aerialist who wouldn’t leave the ground, a chipped plate-spinning act and a Mr. Memory who could hardly remember his own name. Not surprisingly, no one was coming. Then into their lives came Edmund the Learned Pig… This rip snorter of a tale is based on an unpublished poem by Edward Gorey. With music by Martyn Jaques (of cult British music trio, The Tiger Lillies), it fuses British Sign Language, puppetry, magic and music for everyone aged 8 and over. Royal Exchange Theatre, The Studio, St. Ann’s Square, M2 7DH, daily (times vary), all weekend (9-26 Oct), £12/£10 (under 13s £5).

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Hofesh Shechter - Theatre of Dreams at Lowry
Theatre

Dark comedy, visceral dance theatre, Fringe hits and open-air performances on a railway viaduct - try something new this season.

Mermaid Chunky by Simon Pizzey.
Music

From manifesto-wielding DJs to bands blurring gigs with performance art, our music guide is newly stocked with artists who see live music as a place for risk.

Food and Drink in the North

It’s the early-May edition of the Food and Drink Guide and here's where to eat and drink while living out your warm-weather dreams.

a beach. red bricks are laid out in a spiral shape on the sand.
Exhibitions

We’ve got five new Manchester exhibitions this month, from thought-provoking photography to environmental art and community-led projects.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.