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ARCADE at Lowry

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

Darkfield: ARCADE

Lowry, Salford
10-21 September 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

From £16.00
ARCADE at Lowry
Image courtesy of Lowry/ DARKFIELD
Book now

This autumn, DARKFIELD presents ARCADE, a show set inside a retro-style gaming cabinet. Audiences will be placed at the centre of a choose-your-own-adventure narrative as they guide their avatar through a world ravaged by endless war.

Raising themes around identity, agency and our relationship with technology, you can win or lose the war, or search out a more peaceful route.

The experience plays out in a completely dark shipping container, using 360-degree binaural sound, sensory effects and a bespoke DARKFIELD arcade machine for each player. Intrigued? We certainly are.

ARCADE is just one of three shows by DARKFIELD happening in Greater Manchester this autumn.

Part of DARKFIELD in Greater Manchester

FLIGHT at Aviva Studios
–
TheatreCity Centre
FLIGHT at Aviva Studios

Happening in absolute darkness inside a 40ft shipping container, FLIGHT invites you to board a commercial airliner – and take two possible journeys.

From £10.00
SÉANCE at HOME
–
TheatreManchester
SÉANCE at HOME

Happening at HOME, SÉANCE transforms the interior of a shipping container into a Victorian séance room.

From £13.00

What's on at Lowry

Where to go near ARCADE at Lowry

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

Ice Rink
Manchester
MCUK Ice Rink
at Media City

Embrace that most Christmassy of activities and get your skates on outside of the chaotic city centre this winter. The Ice Rink at Media City will be serving festive fun till January 5th.

Manchester
Shop
Booths Media City

The Booths branch at Media City, Salford Quays is much appreciated by TV, radio and media executives who work in the area.

See all places

What's on: Theatre

Open Air Theatre at Grosvenor Park
Until
FestivalsChester
Open Air Theatre at Grosvenor Park

Expect another fabulous season of open-air theatre when Pride and Prejudice, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland play Grosvenor Park this summer.

From £10.80

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