Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCityUK

Johnny James, Managing Editor

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Stories - Brought to Life

2 May 2025

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

tories – BroughttoLife_CharlesDarwin_©Antonio Pagano
Antonio Pagano
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Emmeline Pankhurst. Oscar Wilde. Malala Yousafzai. Just a few of the iconic names that grace the walls of the National Portrait Gallery. But now, you can go beyond the frame – and deeper into their stories – as those lives are brought to vivid life right here in MediaCity.

Stories – Brought to Life is the first-ever immersive experience based on a UK national collection. Created by FRAMELESS and the National Portrait Gallery, it reimagines the gallery visit as something cinematic and sensory – blending visual effects, sound, archive footage and storytelling at a spectacular scale.

Stories - Brought to Life_GraysonPerry
Antonio Pagano.

Step inside a 10,000 sq ft digital gallery and find yourself surrounded by the people who have helped shaped British culture – from William Shakespeare to Audrey Hepburn, Charles Darwin to Dorothy Hodgkin, Mary Seacole to Nelson Mandela – each reintroduced through cutting-edge tech and emotionally rich narratives.

Whether you’re a history buff, a portrait lover, or just curious about the characters that helped make the UK what it is today, this is one for the list.

Where to go near Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCityUK

Manchester
Gallery
Black Redstart Gallery

Black Redstart Gallery is located in the Northern Quarter and runs a busy programme of exhibitions from emerging and established artists.

RJC Dance Xmas Show
Leeds
RJC Dance

RJC Dance, based in Chapeltown, Leeds, champions youth and education, leading inclusive Black dance in the North through national partnerships.

texture logo
Manchester
Gallery
texture mcr

Possibly one of the city’s most mysterious art galleries, texture is a small and perfectly-formed independent space in Ardwick.

The Beacon at Cliffe Castle Park
Bradford
Park
Cliffe Castle Park

Cliffe Castle Park hosts the Beacon, a stunning performance space that will be touring the district throughout Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

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Free entry

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