3 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding

Introducing our Advent Calendar – here’s the third post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: three course theatre and social media.

Happy hump day, friends. There’s something a bit unusual going on at the University of Salford this afternoon. Following a sold-out performance at The Lowry last year, Tom Mason’s play Handles is being performed (by drama students) at the university’s Robert Powell Theatre. Mason was shortlisted for the Young Social Media Professional of the Year award, and his play presents interlocking stories that showcase some of the more troubling consequences of a life lived online. It promises to be a diverting way to spend a Wednesday afternoon. Today, 3.30pm, free.

Do more. If you’re not at leisure in the day, might we suggest a three course, theatrical meal courtesy of The Great Northern Playhouse? This pop-up theatre stages a “lovingly bastardised” version of A Christmas Carol, featuring parlour games, a sharing feast and spirited trickery. 7.30pm-10pm, 1-19 Dec, The Great Northern Playhouse, £35 or £30pp for groups of 10 or more.

Festive Happening Camerata
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

The nights are drawing in. Theatre across the North is refusing to play it safe. November brings experimental performance, queer comedy and plenty of surprises.

Music

Grubby dance music meets high-gloss hyperpop and wildly ambitious opera in our latest music guide.

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.

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.

Poet Helen Mort.
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...