One of Manchester’s best-loved theatres has been left ‘devastated’ after once again having to cancel performances.
The directors at Hope Mill Theatre say the disruption caused by the Covid pandemic has left them feeling ‘sad’ and ‘gutted’ for almost two years, asking: “When will it end?!?”
The independent venue in Ancoats had to cancel 15 sold-out shows of The Wiz over Christmas, usually the busiest time of year for the theatre industry.
Performances had to be called off due to Covid cases within the company, though tonight’s show is scheduled to go ahead as planned.
The theatre has also revealed plans to stream the production online, but the couple behind the theatre say they’ve ‘tried so hard to keep going’.
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Hope Mill Theatre’s production of The Wiz. Credit: Pamela Raith Photography
Artistic director and Hope Mill Theatre co-founder Joseph Houston said, when sharing the update on The Wiz: “Truly devastated! We’ve tried so hard to keep going.
“I have to say, I feel sad for the company & crew, I feel sad for the venue team and bar staff and I feel so sad for the audiences.
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“And I’ve felt like this for almost 2 yrs! When will it end?!? It’s just too hard!”
William Whelton, co-founder, added: “Absolutely gutted but it’s just so difficult at the moment, for everyone in the arts.
“3 shows down as DSM, today would have been my 4th show, we will do what we can in order to open again.”
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Hope Mill Theatre posted: “We are completely gutted to be back in this position.”
To make up for all the lost shows, Hope Mill Theatre will instead stream a limited run of the production, with tickets limited to the number of seats inside the intimate venue.
The Wiz is a retelling of the classic children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in a contemporary Black British setting.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Daisy Jackson -
11th January 2022 
