8 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding Posted 8 December 2014

Introducing our Advent Calendar – here’s the eighth post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: Alien plants and handmade craft.

Royal Exchange’s Christmas production isn’t festive in a traditional way – but it does look like enormous fun. Combine a lovelorn florist with a carnivorous alien plant and what do you get? No, not an odd cracker joke… Instead, Little Shop of Horrors, a sci-fi musical spoof from the 1950s that’s a “gory, scary, glitter and sequins treat,” according to director Derek Bond. Royal Exchange Theatre, 5 Dec-17 Jan, from £15.

Do more. There are plenty of food and drink options close to the Royal Exchange, but it’s also worth leaving time to explore the Christmas Jewellery and Craft Fair at the theatre’s own shop. There are stocking fillers and a wide range of handmade jewellery for sale.

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

Food and Drink in the North

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Theatre

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

Music

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

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science

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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...