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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. 

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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…

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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.

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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. 

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You can sign up to presale ticket access here. 

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Featured image: Supplied

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Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Inside The Black Friar as Salford pub unveils incredible floral display

Spring has really sprung in Salford – legendary pub The Black Friar has just revealed a sensational makeover, with gigantic flowers sprawled across its frontage and a new seasonal menu to go with it. 

The historic pub is celebrating the changing of the seasons with both a striking floral installation and a menu that celebrates spring and Salford in equal measure. 

Most Mancs will by now have spotted the 4,000 flower-strong installation that now adorns the front of The Black Friar, with bright pink, yellow and purple flowers spilling from a gigantic pink tap. 

And all those florals continue inside, with the pub’s Tavern – previously a cosy winter hideaway – now filled with trailing blooms and woodland installations, just off their award-winning garden.

Cheshire-based artist Kelly Louise Chapman is the woman behind this sensational transformation of the much-loved gastropub. 

As for the pub’s kitchen, they’ve crafted a new very seasonal and very British menu, with plenty of nods to Black Friar’s Salford roots. 

There are dishes like a Boddingtons braised ox cheek (the pub still proudly displays its Boddingtons sign outside), aged beef tartare, butternut squash and ricotta tortellini, and pan-roasted cod fillet. 

Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Spring small plates at The Black Friar pub
Delicious spring drinks
Delicious spring drinks
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar
Inside The Tavern at The Black Friar

A popular item from the Valentine’s Day menu – the Cornish crab vol-au-vent – will be sticking around on the spring menu, along with an enhanced grill section that includes a lamb Barnsley chop cooked over coals. 

Then for desserts, you’ll be spoilt with a banoffee knickerbocker glory, and passionfruit panna cotta. 

And for drinks (because this is a pub, after all), The Black Friar has put together a range of seasonal drinks like a rose sangria sharer, and non-alcoholic sodas like kaffir lime and coconut. 

Ben Chaplin, head chef at The Black Friar, said: “This new menu is all about celebrating the best of spring produce. 

“We’ve carefully crafted each dish to highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients and bold flavours, adding new depth to our offerings while still delivering the comfort that will always be associated with The Black Friar. 

“My top recommendation and personal favourite dish is the Slow-Cooked Boddingtons Braised Ox Cheek.”

Neil Burke, owner of The Black Friar, commented: “We wanted to bring a taste of spring to The Black Friar, inside and out. This floral installation will transform the space and bring sunshine and smiles, whatever the weather! 

“My top recommendation on the new menu is the Cumbrian Spiced Lamb Scotch Egg. It’s EXCEPTIONAL.”

To find out more about The Black Friar and to book a table, visit HERE. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

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You can get a mobile massage treatment in your office – just like us

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

We’d like to introduce you to the pioneering personalised service offering massage treatments on the move at practically any location including direct from your office – including to those of us here in Manchester.

In a world where you can get practically anything delivered straight to your door, it wasn’t going to be long until some genius invented a way to get a massage from the comfort of your own office.

And that genius is none other than, Ruuby.

Named ‘London’s first digital beauty concierge’, Ruuby have been pampering the nation’s capital for almost a decade before branching out to further locations.

Ruuby beauty services UK
The gorgeous set up provided by Ruuby
ruuby massages UK
Look at that lovely branding on the towels.
They did wonders with our otherwise plain downstairs office space. (Credit: The Manc Group)

In October 2024, the company expanded beyond its domestic reach in the likes of the capital, the Cotswolds and Surrey into Europe, making its first mark Switzerland: the perfect country for both luxury and essential beauty treatments with a tailored experience.

The month following saw the group moving up North and all the way to Manchester, where people can now book professional treatments best suited to them, right on their doorstep.

If you’re feeling sceptical still, you can take it from us here at The Manc; we couldn’t tell you how relaxing and comforting these massages are.

There are a range of treatments available and we opted for two bespoke massages, a sports massage and a deep tissue massage.

Each experience is suited to your personal needs meaning each massage therapist will be able to fine-tune their relaxation abilities to what benefits you best.

After choosing the bespoke massage that I felt would work best for me, I went into this with no prior massage experience and I came out feeling taller, broader and more refreshed. Highly recommend.

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Mid-day office massage? Yes, please.
ruuby office massages
How relaxing. What a shame you have to go back to work after!
Credit: The Manc Group

My masseuse guided me throughout the whole process and we soon discovered that I was able to tolerate much harder pressure than I thought which helped release tension I didn’t even know I had!

The same applies to how firm you’d like your session to be, as the masseuse can help with a brief overview of your time together, but the amount of pressure you like is down to personal preference.

It’s not just massages either: there’s everything from waxing, nails and hair to physio and IV drips; how about getting Marbella ready in less than an hour with a spray tan service set up wherever you are?

As Ruuby is a mobile and remote work environment, there are a number of at any time up and down the country, meaning your next beauty slot could be as little as an hour away, find out more HERE.

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Featured Image – The Manc Group

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