2 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding Posted 2 December 2014

Introducing our Advent Calendar – here’s the second post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: theatre and big hands.

Tonight it’s White Rabbit, Red Rabbit at Contact, a play with no director, no set and a different actor for each performance, written by man trapped in his own country. Denied passage for refusing military service in Iran, Nassim Soleimanpour came up with an original concept that has since been guest performed by Juliet Stevenson, Tamsin Greig and Mark Watson. Tonight, actress Shobna Gulati takes to the stage (and tomorrow it’s the turn of John Thomson). Tonight, 7.30pm, £9/£5 conc.

Do more. If you’re after a pre or post theatre drink, Big Hands is just around the corner. Haunt of Guy Garvey and bands fresh from the Academy 1 stage, Big Hands is dark, noisy and a bit of a dive – which is exactly why we like it.

Destination Guides

Spotlight on

Christmas Theatre and Concerts

As the big day approaches, you can count on theatres and concert halls across the North to pull out all the festive stops.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Exhibitions

It’s a good season for contemporary art fans in Manchester, with many of our favourite small galleries launching something big.

Theatre

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Music

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Food and Drink in the North

It's autumn and time to get scheduling those hearty meals. Here's the October guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

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.

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.

Tours and Activities in the North

Step away from the usual. Tours and activities that spark curiosity, inspire creativity and offer something refreshingly different.

Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...