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Hacienda Classical announces record-breaking show at Castlefield Bowl next summer

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 6th November 2024

Hacienda Classical is set to make yet another triumphant return to the historic Castlefield Bowl next summer.

Manchester’s iconic celebration will mark its record-breaking ninth appearance at the Sounds of the City festival when it arrives in the city centre next July, and will once again be captivating local audiences and travelling fans alike.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the groundbreaking musical project, Hacienda Classical fuses a unique blend of classic dance tracks and orchestral arrangements, with the unmatched spirit of the legendary Hacienda, garnering rave reviews from critics and fans along the way.

Resident DJ Graeme Park carefully curates a selection of iconic anthems from the late 1980s and early 1990s, which are then reimagined with orchestral arrangements by the Manchester Camerata Orchestra.

The not-to-be-missed experience featuring powerful vocals and special guests has sold out multiple shows at prestigious venues worldwide.

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At next year’s Castlefield Bowl date, the voice of M People, Heather Small, will join the show, along with house legends K-Klass performing a full live set, while DJ Paulette and Tom Wainwright also join as resident DJs for the night.

Curator Graeme Park will also take to the decks before the show too.

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“I am already beyond excited that Hacienda Classical is returning to Castlefield Bowl in the heart of Manchester for the ninth time,” Graeme Park said.

“No other live act has performed so many times at this superb outdoor venue and it’s an honour to be part of this incredible journey that is now a major highlight in my diary and yours too. I can’t wait to bring the love next July.”

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Hacienda Classical returns to Sounds of the City at Castlefield Bowl on Saturday 5 July 2025, and tickets officially go on general sale this Friday (8 November) at 10am.

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You can get tickets when they go live here.

Featured Image – Hacienda Classical

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Chicago the Musical razzles (and dazzles) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A story of murder, greed and corruption was performed with style, ease and flair; Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it’s easy to see why now that it’s arrived in Manchester.

The jazz-fuelled fiasco is filled with catchy songs that you can’t help but click along to, funny one-liners, and likeable characters such as Miss Roxy Hart herself.

Best-known for appearing as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, the opening night in Manchester on Chicago‘s UK tour may have been a daunting prospect, but it’s one Faye Brookes pulled off seamlessly.

Here’s our full review…

Image: Press Images (Supplied)

Brookes is fantastically expressive and brings new energy to a classic, complemented throughout by a sultry cast dressed in buckles and mesh that really bring the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to the stage.

Her co-star, Strictly Come Dancing‘s Kevin Clifton, struts through the show transformed into Billy Flynn – a flamboyant 1920s American lawyer who has the desperate inmates in the palm of his hand.

The opening number, ‘All That Jazz’, is spearheaded by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly and she does it brilliantly.

Image: Supplied

The cast slink their way across the stage with Scott at the forefront, who undoubtedly delivers a faultless performance and complements Brookes as Roxie Hart perfectly.

A highlight of course included the hilarious ‘Cell Block Tango’, the audience were laughing along as the women sang the stories of their murderous deeds whilst performing sharp and sultry choreography.

Not even a toe out of place.

Image: Supplied

The set is minimalist, dark and simple, but is simply brought to life by the wonderful expression and lively musical numbers performed on stage by the live band.

The live band sits on a staircase centre stage and their playful use of instruments throughout is truly impressive.

Neil MacDonald, the show’s musical director, even got involved with a few on-stage conversations which was a fabulous touch that made the show feel bespoke to us.

Images: Supplied

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Other notable performances included Brenda Edwards as Mamma Morton, whose powerhouse voice left the audience in absolute awe, and Joshua Lloyd as ‘Mister Cellophane’ caused a couple of pitiful “awws” from the auditorium.

Overall, this was a fantastic production of the Broadway classic – the standing ovation at the end proves I wasn’t the only one who thought that too.

Chicago the Musical is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 9 November and you can grab your last-minute tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)

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Giselle, one of the greatest romantic ballets, has landed in Manchester and it’s a must-see

Eva Claricoates Eva Claricoates

When the English National Ballet is in Manchester, it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let slip by, and is almost guaranteed to be one of the most stunning performances to grace the stage – Giselle at the Palace Theatre certainly was.

Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl, who falls in love with Albrecht, a duke, who pretends to be a peasant in order to seduce the show’s namesake.

Albrecht is not only hiding his status but also an engagement to another. When Giselle finds out about his deception, she descends into madness and dies from a broken heart.

Giselle is summoned from the dead by spirits, the Wilis, all abandoned and betrayed before their wedding day. The Wilis take their revenge by dancing men to death, and Giselle must decide whether her love for Albrecht is too strong to sentence him to the same fate.

giselle ballet manchester review
giselle review palace theatre manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

Giselle tells a story of grief, heartbreak, and love, and how a true heart always avails. Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, Mary Skeaping’s production had been tenderly revived from its original performance, and it’s clear to see why the performance received five-star reviews earlier this year.

The entire production was captivating and dramatic, leaving the audience gasping, laughing and firmly glued to their seats. Adolphe Adam’s score is performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic nestled beneath the stage, which compliments the performance beautifully and skilfully.

Perhaps the most mesmerising point of the performance was the Wilis appearing in the forest at the beginning of act two, as they formed perfectly symmetrical formations, and appeared to almost float across the stage.

It served as a great medium for exploring themes of the supernatural exquisitely, providing truly stunning imagery to the audience.

Giselle uses mime to convey its storyline to the audience, and even if you are a first-time ballet-goer, it’s an easy-to-follow, modern performance which can be enjoyed by all audiences. If you’re so inclined, you can even get involved in a dedicated ballet masterclass.

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Giselle runs until the 2 November at the Palace Theatre and it’s well worth going along to if you ask us.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

It’s not the only impressive show we’ve caught at the Palace recently either.

Grease The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a fizzing celebration of nostalgia
If Giselle or the ballet doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, why not try the biggest show in Manchester right now?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

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