This competition is now closed. The answer is c) and the winners are Farida Sethi, Rosemary Gilligan & Louise LLoyd.

If you were unlucky, you can still book tickets below:

The highly acclaimed Afrika! Afrika! is currently wowing audiences at Manchester’s Trafford Centre. Following the show’s rave reviews, we are offering 3 lucky WOS Manchester visitors the chance to see this unique piece of theatre for free!

Featuring impressive visuals, and over 100 artists from african nations, Afrika! Afrika! show promises to be a real Summer treat.

THE SHOW:
André Heller’s sensual discovery of Africa fascinates the audience with its tempo, energy and the zest of life that is oozing out of the tent. The troupe travelled through Africa for two years between Mali and Morocco, and Egypt and South Africa, to all the coasts and the heart of the continent. They even searched the African diaspora for more than 100 artists, eccentrics, dancers, singers and musicians who had that special something.This circus theatre offers sensous pleasure to children and adults, workers and intellectuals. Unbelievable acrobatics, intoxicating rhythms and costumes of exceptional beauty will entrance you for more than two hours. (more…)

Fresh from his success in A Taste Of Honey and Romeo and Juliet, Coronation’s Street’s Todd Grimshaw; Bruno Langley is getting ready to return to Manchester in the World premiere of Flashdance, the musical based on the smash hit Eighties movie. The show recently launched its national tour at the Theatre Royal Plymouth on 19 July and arrives here in September.

Relative unknown, Victoria Hamilton-Barritt has also been cast as the lead, Alex, the welder by day and dancer by night, played by Jennifer Beals in the film. Choreographer Arlene Phillips explained how she cast Victoria: “After searching the country high and low and seeing hundreds of girls for the part of Alex, I suddenly remembered the stunning Victoria Hamilton-Barritt who had played a leading role in Saturday Night Fever in the West End and invited her to audition. She is the only girl who we believe can sing, act and dance this role to the standard we need.” (more…)

Venue: Trafford Centre
Date Reviewed: 25th July, 2008

Afrika! Afrika! confounds expectations for a show with no real narrative to entertain the audience, therefore the success or otherwise of the show rests entirely on the quality of the performances. Thankfully, these are exceptional and the show, conceived by Austrian multi-media entrepreneur Andre Heller and choreographer George Momboye, is jaw-dropping good.

Afrika! Afrika! is less of a show and more of an experience, as it begins before the audience enter the splendid arena. The audience pass through large Moorish tents featuring Moroccan-style cafes and authentic African arts and crafts and this subtly gets the audience in the mood. Albeit a slightly disconcerting mood, as the island nature of Africa is emphasised by background noise of breaking waves and the discrete lighting is provided by chandeliers made from beach debris which creates an almost sinister atmosphere. (more…)

This competition is now closed. The answer is b) and the winners are Tony Openshaw and Caroline Carver.

If you were unlucky this time, there is still time to book tickets. (see details below.) 

American rock superstars R.E.M are coming to Manchester on the back of their new studio LP “Accelerate.” They visit Lancashire Cricket Ground, as well as three other outdoor Summer Stadium shows in August. Tickets are currently on sale, but we have two pairs for some lucky WOS winners. Enter now as this is set to be one of the Summer’s hottest gigs!

THE GIG:
R.E.M are one of the most successful and influential bands of all time, and they look set to make 2008 their year. These not-to-be-missed shows will see Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills perform songs from their new album as well as some of their classic hits.

As if R.E.M are not enough for any rock fan, they are supported by Guillemots and The Editors!

HOW TO BOOK:
R.E.M, plus support Guillemots and The Editors
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Sunday, 24th August, 2008

http://www.gigsandtours.com / www.ticketmaster.co.uk (more…)

Following in the footsteps of the ITV1 show, Rock Rivals, The eXtra Factor is a comedy/musical which takes an ironic look at reality shows. The ultimate winner will be decided each night by the audience!

Apart from the comedy antics in the living quarters, the live-singing action takes place in a TV studio, with the wannabe pop-stars fighting for their 15 minutes of fame; and we see there is no limit to what some people will do to get it. From the house to the studio and back, this fast paced production will keep you laughing and guessing until the final moments

The eXtra Factor features 6 extremely talented performers, locked away in a house, desperate for fame, fortune and stardom.

Kevin Kennedy ( Coronation Street) teams up with Antony Costa ( Blue, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here), Kelle Bryan (Eternal), Anthony Kavanagh (chart topper & ITV1’s Grease is the Word); Russ Spencer ( pop group Scooch & West End’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) Jennifer Biddell (Hollyoaks) and Suzanne Carley (Pop Idol, Blood Brothers & Grease). (more…)