It may not be the place you’d expect, but actual Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe is heading to Warrington for a gig.
In fact, would you even expect to hear that actual Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe has ventured into music professionally in the first place? It’s the first we’re hearing of it, but it’s true – the massively-celebrated star of Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, The Insider,Les Misérables, and so much more is touring the UK with his live band this summer.
And, for some reason, he’s chosen Warrington as one of the places he’s stopping off at.
Manchester‘s music scene is undoubtedly world-famous, and most global artists will make a concerted effort to step on the stage in our city as part of the touring schedules, but the same cannot definitely cannot be said for the neighbouring Warrington.
At least Russell Crowe’s set to, quite-rightly, show some love to the Cheshire town this summer though, as he heads out on his ‘Indoor Garden Party’ tour of the UK and Ireland in July.
After first kicking things off in the Irish capital of Dublin at the prestigious Gaiety Theatre, Russell and his band of talented live instrumentalists – whose relationships with the actor-turned-musician all go back 30 years – will be making their way over to the fellow northern city of Leeds, Inverness in Scotland, and of course, London at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire.
They’ll be entertaining crowds here in the North West at Warrington’s Parr Hall on Thursday 4 July 2024, and tickets are set to go on general sale this week.
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Russell Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party 2024 Tour Dates
Monday 1 July – Gaiety Theatre (Dublin)
Thursday 4 July – Parr Hall (Warrington)
Wednesday 24 July – O2 Shepherds Bush Empire (London)
Thursday 25 July – Brudenell Social Club (Leeds)
Friday 26 July – Eden Court (Inverness)
Irish singer Lorraine O’Reilly will also be joining Russell and his band The Gentleman Barbers as they head across the UK and Ireland this summer.
Russell Crowe is throwing a big ‘garden party’ gig in Warrington this summer / Credit: Russell Crowe (via Instagram)
Russell’s ‘Indoor Garden Party’ concept started all the way back in 2009 outside a pub in London, but this is the first time he’s bringing it back on the road in our country again since 2017.
What exactly is an ‘Indoor Garden Party’ though? Well, according to Russell himself, it’s “an event, a band, a happening. It’s fluid. The personnel changes, but it’s always big. It’s like a festival where I gather people I admire, musicians and storytellers, and we put on a show.”
Tickets to all 2024 UK and Ireland dates of Russell Crowe’s Indoor Garden Party – including Warrington – go on general sale this Friday 8 March, with prices starting at £45 each.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester next month.
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester next month, just in time for half term, with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Already shaping up to be one of the most exciting LEGO events in the UK, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next month.
You’ll also be able to meet the talented model creators and uncover the stories behind their spectacular builds.
This LEGO convention isn’t just about admiring the models though, it’s about creating your own too, as at Bricktastic, you can build a section of our giant LEGO mosaic featuring more 100,000 bricks, dive into the brick pits filled with system or DUPLO® bricks for the little ones, and leave your own personal tag on the LEGO graffiti walls.
Basically, you can create anything you like and then leave your masterpiece on display for others to enjoy when they visit.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Shirlane Forrest
There’ll also be a wide variety of shopping opportunities at Bricktastic 2026, with something for every budget, no matter what you’re searching for.
And all proceeds from Bricktastic 2026 will help to fund LEGO deliveries to children in hospitals through the Fairy Bricks charity.
Bricktastic 2026 is taking place at Manchester Central on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets will be required for all visitors. Your ticket will have a timed entry but not a timed exit, so you can stay as long as you like, and if you want to take a break for a coffee or lunch, then simply collect a wristband to return whenever you’re ready.
An interactive jury experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
Danny Jones
Yes, you might have heard about different bits of ‘immersive theatre’ here in Manchester before, you may have even tried some of them before, but have you ever been part of an interactive jury experienceinspired by true events?
Didn’t think so.
We’ve come across some pretty unorthodox performance art in our time – the soon-to-arrive Star Wars burlesque show being just one recent example; having said that, this might be one of the coolest concepts around right now.
Calling the next case into court, we have ‘The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, which combines a live crime thriller with the classic jewel heist format, whodunnit tropes and more.
Organised by Fever Events and scripted and staged with help from award-winning creative directors, Les Enfants Terribles, this latest edition of The Jury Experience is one of just many in a long line of intriguing courtroom dramas that YOU get to take part in.
We don’t want to give too much away and spoil the magic, but let’s just say you get to play a key role in seeing who goes down for the theft or a multi-million dollar family treasure.
Using your phone and/or paddles to cast your votes and sway decisions, there aren’t just key moments – the audience themselves are the final verdict.
Think you handle the responsibility, or better still, will you relish the sense of power?
As for ‘Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, here’s your teaser: “You’ve been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for stealing global superstar Lana Tonneti’s $20m necklace.
“But is Lana telling the truth? Throughout the show, analyse witness testimonies, examine the evidence, answer complex questions, and try to uncover what really happened.
“Every word matters. Every detail counts. And at the end, you must cast the vote that determines the fate of the accused.”
Taking place at the stunning Stoller Hall and lasting just over an hour, this strictly 12+ event (kids under 19 must be accompanied by an adult)
While tickets to the first two productions this month have already sold out, tickets for the March and April nights are still available. You can find out more about dates, timings, and other cases, as well as grab your tickets right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
5th March 2024 
