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A musical version of Madagascar is coming to Manchester next year

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 11th July 2023

A stage musical adaptation of one of the best-loved animated movie franchises of the 2000s is coming to Manchester.

Madagascar – The Musical is heading out on a tour of the UK later this year, with several major towns and cities already lined-up to welcome the popular show to their stage – and now, we can add Manchester to the list of lucky locations.

Producers have confirmed the smash-hit production is making a stop off here in early 2024.

Based on the DreamWorks animated film of the same name, Madagascar – The Musical invites audiences along on a journey with “all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends” as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to “the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar”.

A musical version of Madagascar is coming to Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets

The show follows king of the jungle, Alex the lion – who is the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo – and his best friends, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo, who have all spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public, and with regular meals provided for them.

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But mischevious Marty is not content to leave well enough alone, and lets his curiosity get the better of him to make an escape.

With the help of some prodigious penguins, he sets out to explore the world.

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Madagascar the Musical
Madagascar the Musical
It’s taking to the stage at Manchester Opera House in February 2024 / Credit: Madagascar the Musical

Brought to the stage by production company Selladoor Family, with award-winning director Kirk Jameson at the helm, choreography from Fabian Aloise, colourful set design by Tom Rogers, and impressive puppet work by Max Humphries and Emma Brunton, Madagascar – The Musical is already being described by critics as “a wacky adventure for the whole family” that’s truly brought to life on stage.

The stellar cast includes includes Joseph Connor as Alex, Posi Morakinyo as Marty, Connor Dyer as Melman), and Hannah Victoria as Gloria.

Madagascar – The Musical will be taking to the stage at Manchester Opera House from Thursday 8 – Sunday 11 February 2024.

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Tickets start at just £13 per person and have only gone on general sale at 10am today.

Grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Madagascar the Musical

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Paddy McGuinness announces work-in-progress shows ahead of first stand-up tour in eight years

Danny Jones Danny Jones Paddy McGuiness work in progress show Bury tickets

Beloved British comic Paddy McGuinness is heading back out on his first live stand-up tour in eight years this year and has announced a new run of work-in-progress shows in preparation, including one right here in Greater Manchester.

McGuinness hasn’t been out on the live comedy circuit for the best part of a decade but announced his long-awaited return late last year, with the 50-year-old heading out on the road this October.

However, as he looks to get stage sharp shape ahead of his ‘Nearly There’ tour, Paddy has picked a pair of local North West venues for the WIP sets, with a trio of shows at The Met in Bury, as well as half a dozen over in Darwen, Lancashire.

Just like the tour itself, these are sure to go quickly.

The Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy star is playing nearly half a century of shows across the UK and Ireland from this fall onwards before closing out his tour in Dublin by April 2025.

His last tour, ‘Daddy McGuinness’ ran from 2015-16 and got pretty decent reviews across the board, with the focus largely revolving around his journey into parenthood, but his latest material is set to be quite the shift in tone.

Speaking ahead of the tour, the former Take Me Out and Top Gear host said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, clickbait and fake news!”

Paddy also made a bit of a stir around these parts recently after he declared Bolton as still being part of Lancashire. No likey, no lighty on that one – sorry Paddy.

Paddy McGuinness admits he thinks Bolton is ‘still in Lancashire’ not Greater Manchester
It’s giving ‘No, Stockport is Cheshire’.

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But never mind all that, we’re glad to see him getting back to his roots. The Farnworth-born funny man was also recently given a permanent role on BBC Radio 2 after becoming a firm favourite amongst the listenership. He will now run the 11am-1pm slot on Sundays.

As for his tour, after his warm-up shows in Bury and Darwen, the household name will be heading to The Lowry in Salford in March next year, with other nearby shows in the likes of Blackburn and Blackpool.

Tickets for Paddy McGuinness’ work-in-progress dates go on sale Friday, 3 May at 10am.

You can grab yours HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press Images

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There’s a big listening party for Taylor Swift’s new album happening in Manchester this week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant The Tortured Poets Department - a Taylor Swift listening party is happening this week in Manchester

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, popstars in the world right now will be releasing a brand-new album this Friday, and there’s a dedicated listening party happening in Manchester especially for the occasion.

Yes, we’re of course talking about Taylor Swift.

In case you aren’t a Swiftie, or you just generally weren’t aware, Taylor Swift announced back in early February that she would be unleashing her eleventh studio album, titled The Tortured Poets Department, on the world on 19 April.

Just like anything the 34-year-old singer-songwriter does, the surprise announcement of the new album – which is a follow-up to her 2022 critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY award-winning album, Midnights – pretty much broke the internet when it happened, and her dedicated fans have been counting down the days ever since.

Now, after months of eagerly waiting, the big day is finally happening this Friday, and in a bid to properly mark what a massive day it will be, one popular Manchester venue has decided to host a dedicated listening party, so that Swifties can unite under one roof and celebrate the special occasion together.

Fairfield Social Club (FSC) which has recently opened its doors in the heart of Manchester city centre, is inviting fans to “gather with your closest Swifties” and head on down to its Green Quarter venue this Friday for a night that’s “dedicated to Tay Tay and her legacy”.

Not only will you get to hear The Tortured Poets Department in full from start to finish surrounded by dozens of fellow fans, but there’ll also be a bunch of other Swift-themed activities too.

There’s a big Taylor Swift new album listening party happening in Manchester this week / Credit: FSC

These include a Taylor Swift pub quiz with questions to all about her life and groundbreaking career to test your knowledge, friendship bracelet-making sessions, and just the chance to share the love and swap stories with other Swifties.

If all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s also set to be a selection of themed cocktails to sip whilst you spend time ruminating on what Taylor meant in the lyrics of her songs only released a few hours prior.

Oh, and the best bit? FSC promises there “won’t be a Scooter Braun in sight” on the night.

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The Tortured Poets Department Listening Party is taking over Fairfield Social Club this Friday 19 April from 7pm right through until 10pm – with tickets now on sale setting you back just £6 each, and already selling fast.

Grab tickets to the party here.

Featured Image – Flickr

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