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A Night at the Theatre

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 15:50:32 -0000

MADS Theatre Presents Shelagh Stephenson's "The Memory of Water"

Back By Popular Request…. Colum Sands!

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:50:23 -0000

This Saturday at Cloter Opera House is a night of wit and wisdom from the legendary Irish bard himself

Boyzone in Arena return

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 09:18:48 -0000

IT may still be months away, but 2009 is already gearing up to be the year of the boyband reunion tour.

With New Kids On The Block already pencilled in for January and Take That currently working on their latest LP with a tour surely set to follow, nineties boyband Boyzone have announced another string of shows.

Timmy to join jungle stars

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:19:45 -0000

JUNGLE fever has increased with the arrival of two new faces in I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!

Marple-born TV presenter Timmy Mallett and ex-Dollar star David Van Day will be seen on screen for the first time tonight.

A grim new era for city

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:19:42 -0000

THE streets of Manchester are deserted, a city left eerily empty by a pandemic which has killed 99 per cent of the world's population.

All your family and friends are dead. There's no power, no running water, no medical care and no rule of law. It's the end of civilisation as we know it.

Soul Calibur (Xbox 360)

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:13:03 -0000

BACK in the days of the Sega Dreamcast, Soul Calibur established itself astheone-on-one fighting game across all consoles.

Even then it was renowned for its stunning graphics, slick cut-scenesand its easy-to-pick up control method.This next-gen version hasn't really changed very much at all.

Watch Oasis' The Shock of the Lightning

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:46:12 -0000

OASIS' new LP Dig Your Own Soul hits the shops on October 6 and is said to be their most uncommerical and experimental to date - the first indication of what to expect can be heard on comeback single, The Shock of the Lightning, which hits the shops on September 29.

Duo to shake up Cocktail World Cup

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:37:16 -0000

THE best bartenders in the world will battle it out to win the coveted Cocktail World Cup next week: an international shake off staged by premium Kiwi vodka 42 Below to find the best combination of mixology and personality on the globe.

Alongside Italian, American, Irish, Aussie and Kiwi teams will be two representatives of the republic of Mancunia.

Brassed Off @ Oldham Coliseum

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:18:13 -0000

IF you enjoyed the film, which kick-started the careers of our own Pete Postlethwaite and Ewan McGregor, then you'll find Paul Allen's stage adaptation of Mark Herman's screenplay equally funny and poignant in turn.

In fact Paul Allen was in the audience along with several members of the Emmerdale cast supporting colleague Stuart Wade who played Biff Fowler.

Oasis in songbook give away

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 12:00:02 -0000

WHILE Noel Gallagher has rebuked any suggestions that his band should follow in the footsteps of Radiohead and The Charlatans and give away their new LP for free, Oasis have come up with an novel way of rewarding their fan base and pushing the record to boot as well.

Their seventh LP, Dig Out Your Soul, comes out on October 6 and fans are about to get an exclusive preview thanks to a groundbreaking partnership.

Winter return for Jarvis

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:48:17 -0000

JARVIS Cocker has announced details of a five-date UK tour, including a winter date in Manchester.

The charismatic former Pulp frontman will hit the road in conjunction with Cocker's record label, Rough Trade.

The label, established in the 1970s by Geoff Travis, will provide support acts for the jaunt arriving at Academy 1 on November 30.

Big screen for Arctic Monkeys' show

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:45:27 -0000

GOOD news for Arctic Monkeys fans. After success with The Last Shadow Puppets, Alex Turner’s attentions appear to be slowly returning to his day job.

The band are reportedly regrouping this month to begin work on their third studio LP and to heighten expectations are set to release a DVD of a Manchester tour date as well to whet the appetite.

Life's good without Rebus

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:33:50 -0000

`IT was meant to be a film, you know," crime writer Ian Rankin tells me when I ask about his new book Doors Open.

The award-winning novelist has written a fast-paced, art heist story after saying farewell to his beloved fictional detective Rebus. It's his first stand-alone thriller in a decade.

Ting Tings set for Apollo

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:24:48 -0000

GO on admit it… you’re struggle to dislodge the The Ting Tings’ infectious brand of indie-pop from your head too.

So it's no wonder the Salford-based duo are set to follow two Academy 1 dates at the start of October by jumping up into the big league next February, with a date at the Apollo.

Three Sisters @ Royal Exchange

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:23:08 -0000

THERE'S a notion in some quarters that classic Russian drama tends to be long, gloomy and, quite frankly, rather hard going.

Despite some committed work by the actors, Sarah Frankcom’s disappointing new production of this Chekhov classic at the Royal Exchange is unlikely to disabuse anyone of this idea.

Elton: We will rock you

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:21:42 -0000

WHEN it first emerged that tub-thumping comedian Ben Elton was writing a musical based on the songs of Queen - or indeed any musical - it seemed an odd departure for the Manchester University graduate.

He explains: "I didn't set out to write musicals, although I wrote a couple at Manchester University. But at 23, I was writing television comedy like The Young Ones and at 25 I was writing Blackadder."

Academy double for The Enemy

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:18:59 -0000

THE Enemy will aim to swagger into ‘difficult second album’ territory next year, when they release the follow-up to their critically and commercially well-received debut, We’ll Live And Die In These Towns.

The Coventry Brit-rock trio whose anthemic array of singles singled them out as The Jam for the noughties generation, have announced a UK tour to coincide with the spring release of the as-yet-untitled sophomore LP.

CityLife.co.uk F&D Festival: Start getting excited...

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:13:16 -0000

THIS year's CityLife.co.uk Manchester Food and Drink Festival is set to be bigger and tastier than ever.

We take a look at some of the highlights you can enjoy between October 3 and 13 at the Spinningfields Taste, Dine and Learn pavilion...

Loch Fyne

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:13:10 -0000

FIVE pubs a day across the country are throwing in the bar towel as profits from our traditional boozers become as rare as brewer-branded ashtrays.

It is no less than the end of an era – whether it is a national tragedy is less clear cut.

But we have been left with some big old buildings, with many boarded up, becoming flats or, increasingly, being transformed into restaurants and given a new lease of life.

Take That scoop Vodafone award

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:51:28 -0000

TAKE That and The Ting Tings were amongst the winners at the Vodafone Live Music Awards.

The reformed boyband won triumphed in the Sony Ericsson Tour of The Year, while Salford indie-dance duo The Ting Tings were christened Best Live Breakthrough Act.

CityLife.co.uk Comedian of the Year @ Remedy

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:50:45 -0000

FOR the first heat of the 19th CityLife.co.uk Comedian of the Year, the competition itself and the venue it’s held in have both undergone a bit of a tart up.

The prize money has been upped and the acts have undergone a selection process whittling the 100 odd acts who applied to just 24 over four heats.

Not likely to be any nutters then – there’s a part of one’s soul that is just slightly disappointed at that but hey ho.

Diary: Mcfly in town

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:49:45 -0000

SO hectic are pop band McFly, they temporarily split up to be in two places at once yesterday.

Heart-throbs Danny Jones and Dougie Poynter were dispatched up to us in Manchester, while band-mates Harry Judd and Tom Fletcher headed to a signing in Kent.

Going in pursuit of The Fallen

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:49:37 -0000

IN the motley cast of characters now known as The Fallen, drummer Karl Burns was its "Lord Lucan".

So says journalist Dave Simpson who spent two years hunting down 46 musicians hired and, in most cases, fired by The Fall's enigmatic leader, Mark E Smith.

The resulting book portrays Prestwich's Smith as the foreman of an old-fashioned factory.

Tropic Thunder (15)

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:48:37 -0000

REMEMBER that Christmas Eve when you looked excitedly under the tree and discovered that the big present in the shiny wrapping paper had your name on it?

Remember how you spent the entire night, feverishly imagining all of the wondrous treats that could possibly be inside the box, then hurriedly tearing off the paper the next morning only to find something you didn't want?

The hottest table in town

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 19:30:25 -0000

MANCHESTER may be lacking a restaurant with fine dining's most illustrious honour - a Michelin-star - but the city's movers and shakers sure know what they like on a night out.

As Diary Editor for the M.E.N. I've had to wine and dine a fair few celebs and VIPs around town, and the same venues always crop up for their ideal place to meet.

Arena date for rejuvenated Keane

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:37:49 -0000

AFTER appearing to be on the bring of meltdown when cherubic frontman Tom Chaplin admitted himself to rehab, a rejuvenated Keane have announced a huge tour for early next year.

The Sussex indie-pop trio have already been winning plaudits for the brave direction of new and third LP, Perfect Symmetry.

Michael McIntyre @ Parr Hall

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 09:32:45 -0000

AFTER issuing a tongue-in-cheek plea to the people of Warrington via our sister magazine Urban Life, sharp-suited stand-up Michael McIntyre seemingly got the response he desired – namely a full house.

Perturbed that this date was one of a handful with seats unsold, the cherubic-faced Londoner was clearly thrilled to be greeted by a buoyant, packed out Parr Hall on taking to the stage.

Secret Millionaires' priceless contribution

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 08:56:22 -0000

THE Secret Millionaires have written cheques to the tune of £1,485,200 since Channel 4 embarked on its covert mission to help the down-at-heel.

But it hasn't all been about the cash.

Those who took part in the show made an emotional investment, too.

Thomson to host contest

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:18:59 -0000

NOW entrants to our CityLife Comedian Of The Year competition are going to have to be funnier than ever, as funnyman John Thomson has agreed to host the event.

John, who played a popular character in the long-running TV series Cold Feet and was also a star of The Fast Show, used to be a regular on the Manchester comedy circuit, along with pals such as Steve Coogan and Caroline Aherne.

Scars On Broadway @ Academy 2

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:27:28 -0000

SYSTEM Of A Down may be on hiatus following a disappointing couple of years, but you can’t accuse their members of resting on their laurels.

2001’s epoch-defining Toxicity remains one of the century’s great rock records, yet SOAD have treaded water since, hence first singer Serj Tankjan and now guitarist Doran Malakian and drummer John Dolmayan concentrating on different musical outlets.

Stockport shows us some Mersey

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 01:13:38 -0000

NOW hidden beneath the the Merseyway Shopping Centre, it's surprisingly easy to forget that Stockport has one of the country's major rivers running through it.

Polluted by the silk, hat and cotton trades during the Industrial Revolution, the Stockport-stretch of the River Mersey suffered years of neglect until 20 years ago, when the council and Mersey Basin Campaign started to clean it up.