Last night at Aviva Studios, the home of Factory International, Lily Allen performed the first of two intimate theatre shows in Manchester – here’s our review…
As part of her ‘West End Girl Tour’, Allen is performing in more considered spaces up and down the country alongside the bigger sold-out venues you might normally expect.
It’s a refreshing change of pace. Seeing a pop star slow things down and lean fully into theatre, something that perfectly aligns with the drama that’s surrounded her in recent years.
Supporting the show was a special ‘Dallas Minor Trio’: an orchestral string group that elegantly warmed up the crowd, taking on instrumental Allen classics, including ‘F**K You’ and ‘LDN’ to set the tone nicely, with a screen behind them as the patient Manchester crowd settled in and enjoyed an early singalong.
When the lights dimmed, Allen emerged through the curtains and opened with the tour’s namesake, ‘West End Girl’. From the moment she stepped onto the stage, she asserted herself firmly in the space – a set designed to resemble her own small apartment.
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This is when the real show began. As Allen moved through the performance, the set behind her transformed from song to song, adding to the theatrical feel of the evening.
During ‘Madeline’, she appeared armed with a feather duster, fully committing to the domestic setting, while for ‘Relapse’, she dramatically spills the contents of her handbag across Factory International‘s adjustable floor.
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Anyone who has listened to Allen’s recent material will know she’s been keeping all the receipts on her ex (can’t remember his name).
Credit: Henry Redcliffe (supplied via Factory International)
Elsewhere in the set, Allen delivered standout performances of ‘Pussy Palace’, ‘Nonmonogamummy’ and ‘Beg for Me’, songs that leaned fully into the confessional tone of the evening.
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Each track landed with a mix of sharp humour and raw honesty, with Allen balancing moments of biting lyricism with the kind of self-aware storytelling that has long defined her songwriting.
By the end of the night, the performance felt less like a traditional pop concert and more like a piece of confessional theatre.
In the intimate surroundings of the Aviva Studios space, Lily Allen proved that sometimes scaling things down can make a story feel much bigger – and that her ability to turn personal chaos into compelling performance remains as sharp as ever.
Featured Images — The Manc Group/Henry Redcliffe (supplied)
Art & Culture
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
Art & Culture
Tickets go live as opening date is announced for Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience
Emily Sergeant
Tickets to visit Manchester City’s new ‘immersive’ museum experience have officially gone live ahead of the grand opening.
Set to open in the heart of the £300m Medlock Square entertainment district at Manchester’s Etihad Campus next month, the Manchester City Museum Experience will be spread across 10 distinctive spaces – with visitors invited to take a trip down memory lane with nostalgic environments from throughout the club’s history.
Fans will also be able to take part in interactive media experiences, like posing with all 48 major trophies won by the club’s first teams or trying their hand at football punditry.
The experience will combine the latest immersive technology with physical memorabilia drawn from across the club’s history to do this.
Hidden details and surprising ‘did you know’ facts are set to be embedded across the experience, so that even the most devoted Man City fans will have the chance to discover something new about the club they love.
By combining interactive environments, technology, and authentic artefacts, the experience is aiming to appeal to a wide audience – from lifelong Manchester City supporters, to families and those with a broader interest in football, culture, and the city of Manchester.
“The Museum Experience has been designed as a destination that goes beyond just the pitch,” commented Jeremy Maxton, who is the Director of Visitor Attractions at Manchester City Football Club.
Manchester City releases CGIs and important details of its new ‘immersive’ museum / Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
“Whether you’re a lifelong supporter, visiting Manchester for a weekend, or simply looking for a unique day out, we’ve created an experience that offers something for everyone.
“From the recreated environments and original memorabilia to the interactive elements, there are different ways into the Club’s history throughout the Museum.
“We’ve also built in space for new stories to be added over time, so the experience can continue to evolve. It’s been a huge project to bring together and we’re looking forward to people seeing it for themselves later this year.”
The Manchester City Museum Experience officially opens on 14 December, and you can now book tickets to visit from that date here.
Featured Image – Credit: Manchester City / Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA)
Lonnie Bowes -
11th March 2026 
