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‘Stories – Brought to Life’ – Massive new immersive art experience confirms ticket prices and famous faces

Can't wait for this.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 11th February 2025

A major new National Portrait Gallery exhibition, called Stories – Brought to Life, is heading to Salford this year, and it’s just announced some major new details.

The ground-breaking new experience by FRAMELESS Creative will be opening at MediaCity in May, bringing some of the world’s most famous portraits to life like never before.

With tickets on sale today, visitors will be able to step inside iconic portraits including Grayson Perry, Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Emmeline Pankhurst, Queen Elizabeth I and William Shakespeare.

Stories – Brought to Life will explore the fascinating lives of these figures, who have shaped the UK’s history and culture all the way since the Tudor period.

The major new exhibition will combine the highest quality digital projection, Hollywood-style visual effects and the latest audio technology, along with specially created musical scores and creative narratives to shine a new light on each individual.

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Rich Storton, General Manager at FRAMELESS Creative, said: “Through this first of its kind collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery’s curatorial team, we’ve reimagined each of the portraits, adding a fresh, exciting and emotional dimension to each of the sitters’ stories.

“Through excerpts of speeches, archival photography, original animation and a dynamic soundscape our aim is to entertain and captivate new audiences with these incredible portraits, bringing them to life through unparalleled immersive storytelling.”

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'Stories – Brought to Life' - Massive new immersive art experience confirms ticket prices and famous faces. Credit: Antonio Pagano
‘Stories – Brought to Life’ – Massive new immersive art experience confirms ticket prices and famous faces. Credit: Antonio Pagano

Rab MacGibbon, Cross-Collections Curator at the National Portrait Gallery, added: “The National Portrait Gallery is home to the largest collection of portraits in the world. Featured on our walls are some of the most remarkable people to have ever lived, who have shaped – and are continuing to shape – our nation.

“This immersive experience created by FRAMELESS is enabling the Gallery to share the Collection like never before. From Elizabeth I to Malala Yousafzai, we hope that the stories featured in the experience will really capture people’s imaginations.”

To create Stories – Brought to Life, the National Portrait Gallery granted FRAMELESS’ award-winning team access to its collection.

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The experience will open on 2 May and run until 31 August at MediaCity, Greater Manchester, before going on a UK tour (dates to be announced). 

Ticket prices for Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCity

  • In advance – Adult from £21.95 / Child from £11.95
  • On the day – Adult from £23.95 / Child from £13.95  
  • Flexible entry time ticket – Adult from £26.95 / Child from £16.95  
  • Family Ticket – 2 adults & 2 children from £55

Concessions and discounts for Stories – Brought to Life at MediaCity

  • Students (via Student Beans): 25% discount
  • Blue Light Card holders: 25% discount
  • Pension Credit / Benefits: 25% discount, available on Mondays only
  • Carer Tickets: free entry for one carer with the purchase of a disabled ticket 
  • £10 ‘Affordable’ Tickets – limited number – available on selected Mondays only

Head HERE for more information.

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Featured image: Antonio Pagano

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A massive power ballads club night is heading to Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson A massive power ballads club night is heading to Manchester

A club night dedicated to the majesty of power ballads is heading to Manchester this spring. 

Power Up – the Ultimate Power Ballad Night will encourage punters to belt out some of the biggest songs in history well into the night. 

Tune up your air guitars, round up your mates, squeeze those eyes tight shut and scream your heart out to classic power ballads from the likes of Meat Loaf, Queen, Whitney Houston and loads more. 

This beloved power ballads night out will be at the O2 Ritz Manchester over Easter weekend, with an early club night that will kick off at 9pm and wrap up at 1am. 

You’ll be able to put the venue’s iconic sprung dance floor through its paces as you bound around to some of the world’s biggest anthems. 

The playlist will include artists like Journey, Bon Jovi, Bonnie Tyler, Phil Collins, Belinda Carlisle, and many more. 

If you’ve not been to a Power Up night out before, you can expect DJs throwing blow-up guitars and microphones into the crowd, non-stop fist-clenching anthems, and a setlist that’ll leave you hoarse from belting the next morning, 

This next installment will be taking place at the O2 Ritz Manchester on Saturday 19 April, between 9pm and 1am. 

This is a strictly 18+ event. Tickets cost £10 in advance – you can find out more and grab your tickets HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

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MediaCity launches brand new state-of-the-art creative content space

Danny Jones Danny Jones Content creation spaces Salford Media City Manchester

Exciting times for Greater Manchester and young talent as a brand-new state-of-the-art content creation space has just launched over in Salford.

Over the past decade, MediaCity has become a highly celebrated creative and cultural hub, home to the likes of the BBC, ITV, Lowry and more.

It’s become more than just an outpost accessible via a short tram ride but a true heavyweight of the media and creative industries here in the UK, always looking to expand and push the boundaries.

Now, following the completion of its latest project, MediaCity looking to provide a space for future generations of content creators and aspiring media makers.

mediacityuk content studio
Credit: MediaCity (supplied)

This brand new £600,000 state-of-the-art content creation space marks a huge milestone in MediaCity’s continuing journey as not just a Northern hub for digital and creative innovation, but a go-to national destination for future media.

Designed to cater to the growing climate of cutting-edge content creation and offer a professional workspace at an accessible rate, Content Studio provides a range of versatile creative spaces, including light, dark and podcast studios – perfect for video and stills production, castings, photoshoots and more.

Curated by University of Salford alumni Ashley Salmon the studio has been designed to meet the needs of modern content creators, influencers, social media stars, brands and businesses of all kinds.

Promising to offer both a dynamic and inspiring space where people can produce high-quality and innovative content while fostering a supportive creative community, this place aims to live up to Greater Manchester’s media reputation: industry-leading.

The Content Studio will also be made accessible to students and creatives spending time over at the MediaCity campus, with a good chunk of the core production team including recent graduates from the University, giving them a valuable platform to showcase their skills and kickstart their careers.

content creation spaces greater manchester
creative studios greater manchester
Credit: Supplied

For the first time, creators will have access to a range of industry-quality facilities at an affordable rate, with spaces starting from just £10 per hour – a super reasonable price point, especially these days.

To further enhance the creative process, MediaCity has partnered with experienced on-site production companies to ensure every booking is fully equipped with all the facilities for seamless content creation.

Boasting everything from infinity walls and green screens to cameras, audio gear, props and pretty much everything you’d ever need.

To make things even sweeter, hiring the content creation space also comes with the option of one-on-one consultations, so creators can focus on creating rather than coordinating.

Even those who require significantly more space and tech requirements will be able to make use of the neighbouring dock10 studios.

Through a partnership with local creative community group Heads, creators will also have plenty of access to exclusive workshops and upskilling opportunities, ensuring they stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

content hub salford quays
content hub media city manchester
Credit: Supplied

The MediaCity Content Studio isn’t just another content creation/production space – Greater Manchester has tonnes of those – it’s also an exciting new outlet for new talent, collaboration, innovation and inspiration, not to mention an investment in the future.

Anyone working out of the space will have the tools to carve their own path and help shape the future of entertainment and digital media in the North and beyond.

To mark the launch of the new content creation space, MediaCity is even introducing a new podcast, This is MediaCity in partnership with University of Salford and produced by Stephen Chapman, Founder and Creative Director of 39 Pictures.

The podcast is set to spotlight the people and stories that make this particular corner of 0161 the creative powerhouse we know, love and remain immensely proud of.

Director of Marketing and Place at MediaCity, Caroline Aikman, said of the exciting project: “Content Studio represents our commitment to nurturing the next generation of digital creators and innovators.

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“By providing the tools, spaces, and inspiration, we’re not just supporting the future of content—we’re empowering it. This marks an exciting chapter in MediaCity’s journey, cementing our reputation as the go-to destination for digital creativity.”

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Located on the second floor of White Tower in MediaCity – the Content Studio is open to everyone and is even pet-friendly.

Come on, we all know how good a cute pup or two can be to a creative environment.

Open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday you can find out more information HERE or email the Studio directly: [email protected].

Also, keep your eyes peeled on our socials because The Manc and MediaCity may have some more exciting news coming your way…

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

Featured Images — Sophia J Carey (supplied)

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