A week in Manchester, in terms of entertainment is a long time.

In terms of news; Barbra Streisand is opening her UK tour here in July, Mary Poppins is leaving London in Jan for a UK tour (hopefully, coming to Manchester), and with 42nd Street and the Manchester International Festival about to start- it’s going to be a busy old time.

I have been out and about taking in what the city has to offer, visiting lots of venues. There has been so much to see over the past seven days, I am now exhausted!

On Monday, I went to see The Pet Shop Boys- what a show! Incredibly theatrical and pure bliss. A packed crowd danced till they dropped to the tunes of the UK’s most underrated pop act.

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Justitia – by Jasmin Vardimon @ The Lowry

Jasmin Vardimon is an exciting force in modern dance. Her show Park was one of the most exhilarating dance pieces I have seen on stage in a very long time. Last night her latest show Justitia finished its UK tour at the Lowry. I went along to cheer the dancers on with a couple of friends. (more…)

Did you watch Any Dream Will Do last night? I know this is a reality television show, and less about finding raw talent and more about ratings- but I think we saw another case of a contestant being stitched up, royally. This time the unlucky contestant was Keith. Showing footage of the other ‘Joes’ running him down for his ‘arrogance’ was real Soap Opera ‘villian’ stuff. Then to top it all – we then cut to Keith explaining that he may struggle exploring his ‘arrogant’ side! For more on the runners and riders – click here for last night’s recap.

As for Manchester, it’s a busy week for theatre – coming up.

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This week has been hectic and varied in terms of entertainment. On Friday night I went to see the highly acclaimed Nederlands dance troupe at the Lowry. Their current show is wonderful to look at. The movement is athletic and beautifully performed but I felt strangely empty by the closing moments. (more…)

The shock exit that you normally expect about this time in a reality television show has happened. For more news of last night’s drama on Any Dream Will Do, click here.

What of Manchester and the theatre scene? Well, Cats opens here next week at the Opera House. I have never seen this show before. I am not expecting a masterpiece but I am reviewing it on Wed night. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest opens at the Palace and comedienne Pam Ann steps onto the Lowry stage tonight and tomorrow. I have seen this wickedly funny creation before and if you get the chance, go, but be prepared to be part of the action! Pop band Girls Aloud hit the MEN later tonight and Someone To Watch Over Me opens at the Library on Fri night. I will be reporting on some of these events later this week.

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