One of Manchester’s leading independent theatres has been left devastated after missing out on ‘much-needed’ funding.
53two, a theatre and arts hub beneath the railway arches in the city centre, had applied for Arts Council funding, but its bid was rejected.
The government-funded body said that it had to make ‘tough decisions’ after receiving a huge number of applications.
53two had hoped to use the fund to build a disabled access facility known as a Changing Places toilet – something that no theatre in Manchester currently has.
Creative director Simon Naylor said it’s ‘heartbreaking’ to see theatre-goers with complex access needs having to go home due to a lack of accessible facilities in the city.
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Credit: Fiona Finchett
The Watson Street venue is now planning a party to drum up some support and some investment so that it continue to build its fully accessible creative space.
Theatre patron Tony Walsh (better known to many as Longfella), will be working with the venue to find a local business to invest in the project.
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The theatre only opened in its new home last year, in the Grade II*-listed railway arches and tunnels beneath Manchester Central.
They have already opened a bustling bar and cafe space and secured the planning permission to upgrade the theatre to a 150-seat facility, and install the toilet facilities.
Simon Naylor, creative director of 53two, said that it was ‘terrible’ to miss out on the Arts Council funding – but that the team are now rallying and taking matters into their own hands.
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The vision for 53two’s new 150-seat theatre. Credit: Supplied
He said: “Obviously it was a terrible email to read, but, we sat on it, re-grouped and it was clear that we had to press on regardless of the bid outcome.
“We have already helped produce quality theatre in our small venue, and are continuing to support those artists who need a platform. We have a season of brand new writing lined up including the return of a much loved Manchester institution, loved by many but yet to be announced.
“We have no choice but to take matters into our own hands and are now looking to Manchester’s business community to help us raise the funds needed.”
Speaking of the importance of a specialist Changing Places toilet, Simon continued: “Many of our guests, artists and visitors have complex access needs and can only stay at the venue if we have fully accessible toilet facilities.
“The Changing Places toilet would provide a changing bed, a hoist and lots of space and privacy for carers to help people with using the toilet. Without it many have to leave the venue and go home which is heart breaking to see happen time and time again.
“So, to celebrate our first year anniversary on 27 May, we are inviting people from across Manchester, including those visionaries and giants who we are hoping can provide the financial support we need to grow the venue and create the facilities our patrons require.
“We are offering companies the naming rights for the auditorium for up to the next five years, in return for the investment required to get the theatre space up to spec.”
Coronation Street star, BAFTA winner and TripleC founder Cherylee Houston added her support to the fund-raising drive, saying: “53two is an incredibly important venture for creatives across Manchester.
“Not only did they design their building so far to be entirely step free they actively ensure they include disabled creatives across their work. They are an accessible venue that is warm and welcoming and ensure that all disabled creatives continually feel part of their phenomena programme of work.”
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The party on 27 May will feature live music from The Villanelles, a DJ set and hosting from Tom Finkill, a routine from International Wheelchair Dance Champion Monique Jarrett, and a reading from Tony Walsh himself.
Alexandra Maxwell, venue manager, said: “It’s been a rollercoaster of a year dealing with the challenges of a new business and the ever-changing climate in hospitality. That said, our community was well established at our old venue and their support has been incredible.
“By January 2022 we felt positive that we could start the next chapter of our journey and open up the second arch in its entirety, however the Arts Council’s surprising response and has driven us to try to raise the funds in a different way.”
A spokesperson for Arts Council England said: “Demand for the Capital Investment Programme was extremely high and we received a large number of both Expressions of Interest and applications.
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“We had to make tough decisions, but we awarded funding to applications that most closely meet the criteria and made the strongest contribution to the aims of the programme.
“In 2020 53Two was awarded £61,116 through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund which supported cultural organisations through the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and we would welcome applications from the organisation to other Arts Council funding programmes in the future.”
If you’re interested in attending the evening or for more information on the Sponsorship Package, please contact Simon on [email protected]
A brand-new immersive ‘walking theatre’ and XR experience has landed in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
We hear the word immersive thrown around a lot these days, but if the notion of walking through some of your favourite fantasy and sci-fi worlds in a state-of-the-art XR tour doesn’t fit the definition, we don’t know what does.
Get ready to pull on a headset and be dropped into a different universe, Mancs.
This is Immersia XR: an industry-leading immersive entertainment and XR (extended reality) experience has just been unveiled right here in Greater Manchester.
Anyone for a ride on a magic carpet?
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: Immersia XR (supplied)
Immersia XR specialises in what they call ‘Walking XR Theatre – a new term for a new kind of experience’, and boasts big plaudits across the board, with an average Google rating of 4.8 from dozens of reviews already.
Having just made its Manchester debut to the public at Trafford Palazzo (located right next to 0161’s famous Trafford Centre) this summer, the new addition brings cutting-edge technology blended with iconic family-favourite tales in an “unforgettable walk-through format.”
A lucky few have been treated to our first time, including us here at The Manc, and you’ll have to take our word for it when we tell you it’s a truly incredible experience.
It’s the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and although there are other similar VR and AR offerings around the region, you won’t find anything quite like ‘walking theatre’ and this free-roam experience.
Credit: Supplied
As you can see above, there are a number of experiences to be enjoyed right from the off, including two modes inspired by childhood classics, Alice in Wonderland and Tales of Aladdin.
Ever fancied trying your hand as an astronaut and walking on the surface of the moon as you look back at the Earth below? Course you have! No training involved in this one, either.
Take that, Katy Perry, you can keep your short-lived Blue Origin nonsense to yourself.
Immersia XR’s ambition doesn’t stop there, though, as they are also preparing to introduce the exciting new ‘Terracotta Army’ experience in the near future.
Here’s a glimpse at how it looks inside the goggles:
Already open to the public and running up until Sunday, 6 July 2025, Immersia XR is fun for all ages, with kid-friendly zones and accessible narratives built into the experience.
Best of all, there are actually very few bells and whistles; no screens, no controllers – it’s just you walking through the story of your choice.
Immersia XR’s founder, Ian Xiang, said: “We’re not just launching a new attraction—we’re pioneering the future of storytelling. Walking XR Theatre is where cinema, theatre, and technology converge to create magic. You don’t just watch the story—you walk through it.”
Tickets are on sale now, with adult prices starting from only £17, children (ages 3–15) from just £12, and family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids) from £54. Great value for money.
Concession tickets are also available for students and over-65s, priced from £16, and group bookings of 10 or more receive 10% off. You can even get 20% off all ticket types with the early bird code: PRESS20. You can grab yours HERE.
Mary Poppins at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a spoonful of magic
Dec Kelly
The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre like a gust of wind from the East – bold, magical, and utterly charming.
This beloved musical, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical, continues to soar with a reinvigorated staging that captures both the heart of the original and the spectacle expected by modern audiences.
From the moment the overture begins, there’s a tangible sense of excitement.
The production is visually rich, transforming Edwardian London into a pop-up storybook come to life.
The set changes glide seamlessly, and the use of projections and stagecraft delivers the kind of magic that keeps children wide-eyed and adults grinning like them.
Mary’s iconic flight is breathtaking and still manages to feel like the first time you saw it.
Stefanie Jones returns to the role of Mary Poppins with an effortless elegance. Her portrayal is delightfully crisp, with just the right balance of mystery and warmth. She sings with clarity and control, and her comedic timing keeps the show light and pacey. She is, quite literally, the glue that holds the show together – and she does it with a wink and a twirl of her umbrella.
As Bert, Jack Chambers brings a buoyant energy that never fades. His charm is infectious, especially during “Step in Time”, a tap number that turns the theatre into a playground. Whether he’s defying gravity on rooftops or leading a chorus of chimney sweeps, Chambers is a joy to watch – charismatic, agile, and sincere.
The score, with classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and “Feed the Birds”, remains timeless.
The orchestra handles the blend of whimsy and emotion with skill, and the choreography is as inventive as ever – especially in ensemble numbers that explode with colour and movement.
The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins doesn’t just revisit a classic – it refreshes it. While the story may be light on plot and character depth, the production more than makes up for it with theatrical magic and dazzling stagecraft.
It’s a visual and musical feast that reminds us why this timeless tale continues to soar. Mary Poppins is, indeed, practically perfect in every way.
You can grab tickets for Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre in Manchester HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
17th May 2022 
