Art & Culture

Manchester Museum unrecognisable after £15m transformation

It's finally ready to reopen.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 16th February 2023

Manchester Museum is finally ready to reopen to the public after an ambitious £15m transformation project.

The cultural institution has expanded into a modern new two-storey extension, with new exhibition spaces and inclusive facilities added into the space.

Manchester Museum, which is part of the University of Manchester, will officially reopen this weekend after an 18-month refurbishment.

New spaces inside include a brand new Exhibition Hall, which will open with the blockbuster exhibition Golden Mummies of Egypt.

Visitors can get unparalleled access to more than 100 objects and eight mummies in a UK debut.

ADVERTISEMENT

The new extension also includes the South Asia Gallery (a partnership with the British Museum), which will be the UK’s first permanent space to explore the lived experience of South Asian diaspora communities.

The new extension at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
The South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
The South Asia Gallery at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
The new exhibition hall at Manchester Museum
The new exhibition hall at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group

Purcell has designed the extension, cladding it in green-glazed terracotta tiles, paying homage to craftsmanship as well as Victorian and Edwardian period buildings in Manchester.

ADVERTISEMENT

Manchester Museum first opened in 1890 and is one of the largest university museums in the country, housed inside a neo-Gothic building designed by Alfred Waterhouse.

Inside its doors, the popular attraction has more than 4.5 million objects from natural sciences and human cultures.

April the dinosaur near the Fossils gallery at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group
The shop at Manchester Museum. Credit: The Manc Group

One of the most immediate differences that’s resulted from the £15m transformation is the new accessible entrance straight off Oxford Road, which brings visitors straight into a stunning new gift shop.

ADVERTISEMENT

There’s a new dinosaur in town too, joining the museum’s legendary T-Rex Stan.

April the Tenontosaurus has taken up her place in the former entrance, beside the Fossils Gallery – she dates back to the Cretaceous period and was found in Montana, USA.

Other new features include a Changing Places toilet, prayer room, quiet room, picnic area and therapy room.

Esme Ward, Museum Director of Manchester Museum, says: “The reopening marks a huge moment in Manchester Museum’s rich history as we open our doors following a major transformation.

Read more

“We have extended the building, making room for more joy and learning and evolving into the Museum Manchester needs. Beautiful new galleries and exhibitions will showcase the best of the Museum’s historic collections, as well as addressing the urgencies of the present day and highlighting the complexities of our world.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have also listened to advocates with lived experience, and inclusive new spaces and features are incorporated throughout. We are delighted to welcome our visitors back.”

To find out more about the project and upcoming exhibitions, visit: manchester.ac.uk/museum

Featured image: The Manc Group

Art & Culture

A live Shaun the Sheep stage show and circus is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Shaun the Sheep live circus and stage show Manchester tickets

Brace yourselves, because one of the best fun-for-all-ages events is coming to Manchester: the official Shaun the Sheep stage and circus show is coming to Factory International.

This isn’t just one to keep the children entertained; we already know plenty of big kids who grew up on Shaun, Shirley, and the rest of the sheep are already thinking about grabbing tickets.

Created by Nick Park, the same man responsible for Wallace and Gromit, this live stage production and incredibly practical circus show of the beloved British cartoon is already critically acclaimed.

Now set to make its full European debut right here in our city, Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show teams up with leading performance company Circa to bring the TV show to life this winter.

‘It’s gonna be un-BAAA-leivable’.

Conceived not only by the award-winning minds at Aardman Animation, but the experienced performers at Circa, this ‘in the flesh’ (and wool) interpretation of the slapstick CBBC classic will not only delight younger audiences, but bring plenty of energy to keep the adults entertained too.

Promising a “live circus performance, simultaneously blurring the lines between movement, dance, theatre and circus for a visual spectacle packed with wit”, you can expect acrobatics and circus skills.

Stunts will include the likes of tumbling, juggling, aerial hoop, aerial silks, trapeze, Spanish web and Chinese pole, just to name a few.

And, of course, there’ll be plenty of Aardman’s signature heartwarming comedy in W&G, Chicken Run, Arthur Christmas, Flushed Away and more.

Naturally, all the usual suspects will be on show to: Shaun, Bitzer, The Farmer and the rest of the Flock – and yes, in case the trailer didn’t give it away, they are people who are not just dressed up as adorable real-life lambs but bouncing, flipping and flying all over the stage.

Coming to Aviva Studios this festive period, it’ll be taking place in The Hall: one of the venue’s largest and most dynamic rooms, with the state-of-the-art building famously able to alter the size of individual stages and spaces depending on the event.

John McGrath, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Factory International, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Circa and Aardman to present the European premiere of this fun-filled show at our home in Aviva Studios.

“Circa presents award-winning circus performances to audiences across the globe, and their collaboration with Aardman Studios creates a unique offering for families, circus fans and everyone who loves Shaun the Sheep“

Running from Tuesday, 11 December 2025 until Sunday, 4 January 2026, they’ve also ensured affordable admission from just £10; you can grab your tickets now.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Press shots (supplied)

Art & Culture

IDLES frontman Joe Talbot set for ’10 Songs That Made Me’ interview at AO Arena

Danny Jones Danny Jones Joe Talbot 10 Songs That Made Me podcast interview Manchester AO Arena tickets

Cult favourite frontman Joe Talbot of IDLES fame is set to for an eye-opening sit-down interview as part of AO Arena’s ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series.

The lead singer of the politically-charged post-punk band will be joining the in-conversation event opposite BBC 6 Music host and popular radio host, full stop, Chris Hawkins.

Having often drifted into hardcore, art rock and even spoken word at times, Joe Talbot and co. have become known for the cutting lyricism and insightful songwriting in general, so we can only assume that diving into his own musical influences will be just as riveting.

Joining his fellow audophile on stage at the city’s legendary live music and entertainment venue this November, Talbot and Hawkins will be running through the tracks that quite literally helped create the musician we know today.

According to the AO, the arena will host an in-depth chat with the provocative 41-year-old artist as he walks Chris Hawkins through “the most important musical chapters of his life, his stunning musical journey from resident DJ at one of Bristol’s hottest clubs, through to headlining Glastonbury festival.”

It is quite the career he’s had when you break it down.

They go on to promise “raw honesty and trademark wit” as Joe reflects on the record, acts and cultural moments that shaped him as a young performer before breaking onto the scene with IDLES.

As for the ’10 Songs That Made Me’ series itself, it may be what it says on the tin, but most interestingly, being in the crowd and hearing it from each different group/individual changes the experience entirely.

“More than a story of success—it’s a journey of resilience, passion, and community”, they go on to add. “Expect an evening of candid conversation, unexpected anecdotes, and deep dives into the music that has not only defined Joe’s career but also resonated with millions around the world.

If you’re fans of the band or Talbot, in particular, you’ll already know they’re great orators; plus, if you caught even a small clip from his own fledgling Oh Gatekeeper podcast, you’ll know he loves nothing more than diving deep into tunes that shape not just the audio landscape but people at their core.

Just casually getting the lead singer of The Strokes on for in the first season, as you do…

On a personal note, we’ve watched the IDLES x Grammy Museum interview on multiple ocassions at this point, and know how much artistry there is behind everything they do.

The same goes for Talbot, specifically – there’s no doubt about that.

If you’re interested in being part of the audience for Joe Talbot’s in conversation event with Chris Hawkins as part of ’10 Songs That Made Me’, tickets for the date at AO Arena on Tuesday, 25 November are live now, and you can grab yours via Skiddle right HERE.

Last but not least, special mention goes to the interviewing expert himself, whose recent chat with Tim Burgess about The Charlatans getting back into the studio is also well worth a listen.

Read more:

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

Featured Images — Press shot (supplied)

More Art & Culture

Wet Leg Castlefield Bowl Manchester gig tickets

Art & Culture

Wet Leg announce huge outdoor gig in Manchester as part of landmark live dates

Miles Kane Manchester gig Albert Hall tickets 2026

Affiliate

Miles Kane announces massive European tour, with multiple big Northern gigs

Art & Culture

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 27 October – 2 November 2025

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches