The days are getting lighter, the daffodils bursting into bloom, the weather warming up – and what better time than spring to start planning your festive season… right?
Well like it or not, panto season is shaping up nicely already, with comedy legend Jason Manford lined up to star in this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk at the Manchester Opera House.
The Salford comedian is reuniting with Ben Nickless on stage, with additional dates added due to popular demand.
The announcement yesterday confirmed the return of the beloved theatre’s huge pantomime season, which will kick off from Saturday 2 December 2023.
Jason Manford will star as Jack, while panto favourite Ben will take on the role of Silly Simon. This will be their second year performing together.
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Jason began his career in 1999, working at the Buzz Comedy Club in Chorlton, and since then has regularly packed-out theatres and arenas up and down the country with his award-winning comedy.
Jason Manford as Captain Hook in last year’s panto. Credit: Publicity picture
He’s a familiar face on TV too, presenting shows like Unbeatable, Sunday Night at The Palladium and The Royal Variety Performance, and on stages in the West End and across the UK.
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His previous theatre roles have included Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, and Curtains.
On his return to panto after a triumphant year as Captain Hook in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Jason Manford said: “I know I joked about Peter Pan being my ‘farewell debut’ in Panto, but in truth I had such a wonderful time last Christmas that I was itching to do it again.
“So, to be invited back to the Opera House in Manchester with such a fun and collaborative company and alongside my new best mate, the hilarious Ben Nickless, well, how could I say no?
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“This Christmas I’ll be putting down the hook and stepping into the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, and I’m very much looking forward to playing the nice guy!
“The Manchester audiences are second to none, so I’m really honoured to be part of your Christmas panto tradition once again.”
Britain’s Got Talent finalist and Rochdale native Ben Nickless started his working life playing the comedy clubs in the North-West and his career took off in 2006 when he performed his own style of comedy and impressions on the BBC television series Let Me Entertain You alongside Brian Conley and Christine Bleakley, winning his episode.
Ben, who returns to the Opera House for his fifth consecutive year, said: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Manchester for my fifth pantomime at the Opera House and especially convincing Jason to come back with me (didn’t take much… a caramel latte, 2 steak bakes and a yum yum from Greggs). Jason and I had such a great time working and laughing together last year, we thought we should do one more together and I can’t wait to get started on some new routines for the amazing Manchester audiences.
Michael Harrison, chief executive of the UK’s biggest pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes said: “Jason was such a hit last year in Manchester that it was a no brainer to ask him back for another season, he is a comedic legend and together with Opera House favourite Ben Nickless the show has all the ingredients to delight comedy lovers looking for a great time this Christmas.
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“I’m thrilled to have them both back for the gigantic adventure of Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas at The Opera House.”
Robin Hawkes, theatre director of the Palace Theatre and Opera House said: “Last year was our most successful pantomime to date, with thousands of visitors relishing what quickly became a showstopping partnership between Jason and Ben.
“The entire show was a runaway success, and we are therefore thrilled these two titans of comedy will be reunited on our stage later this year. Our pantomimes are a well-loved festive staple for many, and we’re excited to welcome current and first-time theatregoers to experience what is sure to be a gigantic success for both the Opera House and Manchester’s ever-growing cultural scene.”
Jack and the Beanstalk replaces the originally announced production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and will now run from Saturday 2 December through to New Year’s Eve, with the addition of eight more shows due to popular demand.
Northern veterans Embrace announce new album and special UK anniversary tour
Danny Jones
Northern rock veterans Embrace have announced a new album, as well as a raft of landmark anniversary tour dates in the UK, including a big Manchester gig.Guess you could call it ‘A Glorious Day’…
In all seriousness, we’re big fans of Embrace here at Audio North, and a lot of people across the wider team grew up listening to these lot, either through our parents or as part of our first adolescent forays into music.
Often lumped in with so-called ‘dad rock’, perhaps due to the era and radio-friendly sound they’ve cultivated over the course of their long and successful, albeit somewhat underdog career, it’s merely a sign of their longevity and how palatable their brand of alternative guitar-driven tunes has always been.
LP number nine – simply entitled Avalanche – will be no different, we’re sure.
Pre-order ‘Avalanche’ from our official store for priority access to pre-sale tickets for the tour 👉 https://t.co/LZwz3o7xY5 or link in bio ☝🏻
UK Tour Pre-sale: 4 Feb UK Tour General sale: 6 Feb
Well, the record itself is set to be a highly personal one, according to a recent interview with Clash Magazine, but the boys have always put plenty of themselves into their long-running discography.
As per an official press release, frontman Danny McNamara believes this might be more “honest, open, and raw” than anything they’ve done before.
This being their first new material since 2022, when the band released How to Be a Person Like Other People (album number eight, which recieved largley positive reviews for being similarly introspective), die-hards are understandably hugely excited, with pre-orders already flying.
The Bailiff Bridge-born band were praised on that last outing for returning to something closer to their classic post-Britpop sound, and judging by the latest release, ‘Road to Nowhere’, we’re getting more of that familiar style that fans have grown so fond of over the decades.
Speaking of which, the Embrace boys are celebrating 30 years as a touring band in 2026: an incredible feat for any artist, but we’re always especially proud of those from up North.
Confirming the full news via social media on Wednesday, 28 January, the well-established and long-running Yorkshire group revealed a healthy run of live tour dates for this winter.
Listing a run of a dozen dates in total, Embrace comes to Manchester Academy (1) in mid-November, with Newcastle being the other northernmost show in England.
Surprisingly, there are currently venues booked in their home county, but you may well see special shows announced there in addition to the first batch of 30th anniversary gigs. You can see the full list of tour dates announced down below.
Embrace 30th anniversary UK tour dates 2026
Aberdeen Music Hall – Monday, 9
Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom – 10 Tuesday, 10
Newcastle NX – Thursday, 12
Manchester O2 Academy – Saturday, 14
Nottingham Rock City – Sunday, 15
Brighton Dome – Tues, 17
Bristol Beacon – Thurs, 19
London Roundhouse – Friday, 20
Birmingham O2 Academy – Sat, 21
Cambridge Corn Exchange – Sun, 22
Margate Dreamland – Tues, 24
Torquay Arena – Thurs, 26
Southampton O2 Guildhall – Fri, 27
Cardiff Tramshed – Sat, 28
As for those of you looking to watch them in the city centre, early access will be granted to those pre-ordering the album, which drops on 12 June, from Wednesday, 4 February. General sale tickets will be available the following Friday (6 Feb) at 10am.
You can get ready to grab your tickets for the upcoming Embrace gig at Manchester Academy when they go live right HERE.
Meanwhile, you can hear the band’s new single, which is already becoming a fan favourite Embrace song, in full down below – let us know what you think of it in the comments.
Featured Images — Press shot (supplied via SJM Concerts)
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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.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd March 2023 
