A live show devoted to reviewing crisps is coming to Manchester
Adam Evens will take you through his T.A.S.T.E system (Texture, Amount, Satisfied?, Taste and Economy) - and you'll even have your own packet of crisps to review along with him
A live comedy show devoted to reviewing different kinds of crisps is coming to Manchester next month, and it sounds equal parts essential and hilarious.
Called, appropriately, The Crisp Review, the one-man show will be popping up at The Kings Arms Theatre in Salford this July as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe.
The man behind the crisps is Adam Evens, a self-professed snack enthusiast on an unabashed mission to ‘receive crisps to taste, for free, from crisp manufacturers.’
From humble beginnings spent reviewing crisps in his bedroom during lockdown, he’s now taking his thoughts out on the road – bringing his amusing Instagram and TikTok videos to life on stage.
Initially, Adam was just using Instagram and TikTok to share his amusing takes on different crisps in a bid to get some freebies.
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Using his thorough, if fairly confusing, T.A.S.T.E system (Texture, Amount, Satisfied?, Taste and Economy) Adam diligently reviewed every crisp after crisp, only occasionally giving up several times in his quest for that elusive free crunch.
Eighteen months and fifty reviews later, though, a box finally arrived containing seven free packets and an overwhelming sense of success. Now he’s clear on one thing – he’s not planning on stopping any time soon.
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Rather, the new goal is ‘to milk this idea to death’ (and we’re completely here for it).
So, we can look forward to future productions including crisps, a documentary about crisps, games involving crisps, graphs about crisps and *potentially* (sponsor pending) a packet of crisps.
For now, though, it’s all about the upcoming theatre show. Audience members will even be able to join in with the reviewing process, with each ticket holder gifted a free snack to taste during the show – courtesy of Serious Pig.
With a run of appearances stretching from 5-16 July, it’s already proving extremely popular with more dates added by organisers due to popular demand – so don’t hang about if you want to snag a ticket.
To get yours, head over to the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival website here.
News
Government sets date for ‘historic’ no-fault evictions ban next year
Emily Sergeant
The Government has officially set the date for the ban of no-fault evictions next year.
Renting in England is expected to be ‘transformed’ with a raft of major changes coming into effect as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill from 1 May 2026 for 11 million people across the country – and this, crucially, includes the end of Section 21 evictions at no-fault of the tenant.
As it stands, Section 21 notices leaving thousands of people vulnerable to homelessness every year, but in just under six months’ time, private renters will no longer face this threat.
To the vast majority of renters and landlords who play by the rules, this government has got your back.
Further measures announced as part of the new Renters’ Rights Bill – which has now been passed in law – include a ban on rental bidding wars, making landlords and letting agents legally required to publish an asking rent for their property and prevented from asking for, encouraging, or accepting any bids above this price, and also a ban on in-tenancy rent increases written in to contracts.
The latter will prevent landlords from implementing higher rents mid-tenancy, and only allow them to raise the rent once a year to the market rate.
Landlords will also no longer be able to unreasonably refuse tenants’ requests to have a pet, nor will they be able to discriminate against potential tenants, because they receive benefits or have children.
‘No-fault’ evictions are now banned in England under historic new legislation / Credit: Maria Ziegler (via Unsplash)
On the flip side, however, the new Bill means landlords will have stronger legally valid reasons to get their properties back when needed – whether that’s be to move in themselves, sell the property, or deal with rent arrears or anti-social behaviour.
The Government says this will work to deliver a fairer system for both sides.
“We’re calling time on no fault evictions and rogue landlords,” commented Housing Secretary, Steve Reed. “Everyone should have peace of mind and the security of a roof over their head, and the law we’ve just passed delivers that.
“We’re now on a countdown of just months to that law coming in, so good landlords can get ready and bad landlords should clean up their act.”
Alongside the Renters’ Rights Act, an ‘improved’ Housing Health and Safety Rating System, which will better assess health and safety risks in homes and making it more efficient and easier to understand, will also be introduced.
And there are also planned new standards to ensure privately rented properties are warmer and cheaper to run.
Featured Image – Benjamin Elliott (via Unsplash)
News
A FREE family-friendly lantern parade is returning to Altrincham this Christmas
Thomas Melia
There’s a family-friendly lantern parade making its way back to Altrincham town centre this Christmas and it’s completely free.
If you thought the Christmas season couldn’t get any better, you were wrong, as now you can have your very own Rapunzel moment as Altrincham welcomes the return of its lantern parade.
Before these dazzling paper creations light up this Greater Manchester town, there will be a very exciting Nativity Trail spread across various locations starting at Stamford Square.
Not only this, you can also expect a range of family-friendlyactivities running throughout the day featuring everything from live music and storytelling.
And if you’re after getting stuck in yourself rather than just watching from the sidelines, there’ll be lantern making workshops taking place on the day.
Although these classes will be free for all to enjoy, any families looking at attending will still need to book a ticket to create and design their own lantern at at OYEZ Arts in Altrincham Town Hall.
Previous lantern parades that have been held in Altrincham have seen lots of exciting and fun festive surprises with live donkeys trotting through the town last year.
The event itself encourages parade-goers to gather in Goose Green from 4pm before the official walk and lighting takes place from 4.45pm.
This illuminated walk includes a full Nativity cast, local schoolchildren, lantern puppets alongside a live soundtrack courtesy of Sale District Scout and Guide Band.
With the lantern parade finishing in Stamford Square and expected to last just under one hour, there will be a live Nativity performance happening at 5.30pm.
Mandy White, Director of Altrincham BID, said: “The Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey truly capture the spirit of Christmas in Altrincham. It’s a wonderful opportunity for families to come together, explore the town and celebrate the festive season.”
Altrincham’s Lantern Parade and Nativity Journey returns on Saturday 13 December from 12pm with lantern lighting at 4pm onwards – all events and further info. HERE.
Georgina Pellant -
17th June 2022 
