An exhibition exploring Stephen Hawking’s life and work will open in Manchester this summer, with recognisable objects on public display for the first time.
Stephen Hawking at Work is part of the Science and Industry Museum’s packed schedule for 2022.
Objects from Hawking’s office will be on display to the public for the first time, including his spectacles and an invitation to a time travel-themed party he hosted.
The display will show how Hawking used science and technology to aid communication after his diagnosis with motor neurone disease (MND).
The renowned scientist lived with MND for more than 50 years despite an initial prognosis of only two.
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The Revolution Manchester Gallery at the Science and Industry Museum. Credit: Drew Forsyth
He used a voice synthesiser from 1986 following an emergency tracheotomy, and had an analogue cheek sensor attached to his glasses to control the voice software.
Stephen Hawking at Work will also feature the latest generation of wheelchair he used, a Permobil F3 model.
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Visitors will be able to study Hawking’s rare PhD thesis too.
The exhibition will take over the striking new £5m Revolution Gallery, before heading on a national tour over the next two years.
The popular museum will also be running a year of events and exhibitions marking the 100th anniversary of the BBC, and continuing its cancer exhibition.
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Visitors to the Manchester Science Festival in 2019. Credit: Science Museum Group
The Cancer Revolution: Science, Innovation and Hope exhibition, which explored how science is revolutionising cancer care, will remain in the Special Exhibitions Gallery until March 27.
From spring, the Revolution Gallery will host the Celebrating 100 Years of the BBC in Manchester exhibition.
There’ll be a bumper programme of exhibitions, displays, online content and events across the country exploring how trailblazers shaped broadcast technology and look at what the future may hold.
The Science and Industry Museum will host Amazonia, a photography exhibition that celebrates the indigenous peoples and varied landscapes of the Brazilian rainforest this summer.
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Then the Musical Mind exhibition will arrive in October, exploring the science of why humans connect with music.
In 2022, updates to the Experiment Gallery will be revealed, including the additions of a thermal image camera, large-scale shadow box, a buzz wire game and a collaborative ball run wall.
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour, with tickets on sale Friday.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November – you can get your tickets HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
12th January 2022 
