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Backyard Cinema is taking over the iconic Albert Hall in Manchester for immersive Romeo + Juliet screenings

After 10 YEARS of sold-out shows in London...

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 2nd April 2024

One of the most iconic films of all time is returning to the big screen in Manchester – but you’ve probably never seen it like this before. 

Baz Luhrmann’s acclaimed Romeo + Juliet will be screened at Albert Hall, accompanied by a live choir and musicians. 

The event comes from Backyard Cinema, who have been selling out screenings of the film down in London for a whopping 10 years – and now it’s Manchester’s turn. 

The team were also behind the pop-up rooftop cinema across town last year, so they’re already well-loved in our city. 

Tickets for the Romeo + Juliet screenings are likely to be in hot demand after building such a loyal following down in the capital, but we’ve got some presale intel to help you out with grabbing tickets below. 

It will all take place this summer beneath the historic stained glass windows and ornate ceilings of Albert Hall, the former Wesleyan chapel that’s now a gig venue.

Backyard Cinema is taking over the iconic Albert Hall in Manchester for immersive Romeo + Juliet screenings

A pretty dramatic and romantic setting for one of the most dramatic and romantic films of all time…

Here, audiences will see the 1996 cult classic Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s most famous tale. 

It’s all set in ‘Verona Beach’ and features a lot more Hawaiian shirts and guns than the original story, but the romance between our young star-crossed lovers and the fierce rivalry between their families remain. 

At a Backyard Cinema screening, you’ll walk down a candlelit aisle to see the live choir on stage, ready to perform interpretations of songs from the film’s soundtrack, including Young Hearts, Everybody’s Free, Kissing You and Doves Cry.

In 2022, Backyard Cinema took over the rooftop at Depot Mayfield and turned it into a magical movie landscape, complete with mysterious tunnels, film-grade sets, hidden doors, and (of course) an enormous cinema. 

Then when it returned last summer, it had been transformed into Miami Beach, complete with real sand, rows of plush bean bags, palm trees, a jet ski, and loads of pink plastic flamingos and disco balls. 

Its next run of events will see it taking over the Albert Hall on Peter Street in Manchester city centre. 

Backyard Cinema’s extremely limited run of Manchester shows for Romeo + Juliet will take place between 12 and 19 August 2024, with tickets expected to sell out quickly. 

An exclusive event presale is running from 2 April, with general sale from 11 April. 

You can sign up to presale ticket access here. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer

A brand-new pub has opened slap bang in the middle of the Northern Quarter – take a look inside The Faraday. 

This pub is just off the bustling Stevenson Square and has bags of stuff on offer. 

Spread across two floors on the site that was previously 7Sins, you’ll find live music, games, cocktails, and of course plenty of pints. 

The Lever Street venue has been totally transformed into a cosy space inspired by traditional British boozers. 

We’re talking vintage pub mirrors, mismatched bar stools, wood paneled walls, deep burgundy leather banquette seating and a fresh lick of dark green paint. 

And this smart pub has got the space to become a live music gem for the Northern Quarter, with live music every Wednesday to Sunday.

Downstairs, there’s still a wide range of games to keep you entertained, including pool tables (which are unlimited play for your booking), electric darts, and shuffleboard. 

The Faraday’s drinks menu boasts loads of classic cocktails, including margaritas, old fashioneds (including a tequila version), and a selection of sours. 

In pictures: The Faraday pub opens in Manchester

Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer
Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer
Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer
Inside The Faraday Pub, the Northern Quarter’s newest boozer
Inside The Faraday Pub

When happy hour rolls around (6pm til 10pm every evening but Saturday) you can get £5 drinks including pints of Guinness, and a selection of spritzes.

On draft there are fan favourites like Guinness, Mahou, Corona, Lowenbrau, Jubel Peach, Camden Pale, Kopparberg, and Camden Hells.

There’s a decent amount of outside seating for when the sun has got his hat on, too, with full sunshine in the afternoons.

The Faraday is open until 1am during the week, and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. 

It’s open now at 43-45 Lever Street in the Northern Quarter. 

They’ll be giving away a free pint to the first 100 people to visit on Friday 1 August from 5pm. You just need to show you’re following The Faraday on Instagram. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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Here & Now – The Steps Musical is coming to Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Here & Now - The Steps Musical is coming to Manchester

A musical inspired by pop band Steps is coming to Manchester this year, and the principal cast for Here & Now has now been confirmed. 

The musical features Steps’ most beloved hit songs, including Tragedy, Heartbeat, Stomp, the One For Sorrow, Better Best Forgotten, 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart, Chain Reaction, and many more. 

The story is set in seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it’s Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone’s dancing in the aisles. 

But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy. Have they all lost their chance of a ‘happy ever after’? Or does love have other plans in store…?

Here & Now has an original book by Shaun Kitchener and is directed by Rachel Kavanaugh, with choreography by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole and Matt Spencer-Smith as musical supervisor, orchestrator and arranger.

The show is produced by Steps themselves, ROYO, and pop legend Pete Waterman.

Producers have now confirmed that Rebecca Lock will star as Caz, returning from the original run in Birmingham. 

Here & Now – The Steps Musical is coming to Manchester

Finty Williams will play Patricia, Blake Patrick Anderson will be Robbie, River Medway (fan favourite on the third season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, BBC) is Jem, Edward Baker Duly (The King and I) as Max and John Stacey as Lesley.

There are new cast members joining the principal cast too, including Jacqui Dubois (Ghost The Musical UK tour) as Vel, Chris Grahamson (NOW That’s What I Call A Musical UK and Ireland tour) as Gareth and Rosie Singha (& Juliet UK and Ireland tour) as Neeta.

Set design by Tom Rogers, costume design by Gabriella Slade, lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Adam Fisher, wigs, hair and makeup design by Sam Cox, casting by Will Burton for Grindrod Burton Casting, Music Technology by Phij Adams with Production Management by Setting Line.

Steps are one of the biggest pop bands of a generation, made up of Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee. 

In their career they achieved 14 top five singles, four number one albums, 22 million record sales, 500 million streams and 11 sold-out national arena tours.  

Steps’ 2017 comeback tour was one of the biggest pop tours of that year, with 300,000 tickets sold, and they’ve continued to release new music.

You can find out more about Here & Now and book tickets HERE. 

Featured image: Supplied

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