Get Living and Hope Mill Theatre are teaming up to bring an award-winning interactive stage play celebrating Mancunian friendship and community to New Maker Yards.
Normally you’d find the actors of Ancoats’ very-own Hope Mill Theatre company appearing in packed-out productions of an all-female Shakespeare, or even starring in an acclaimed musical such as RENT or the upcoming revival of The Wiz – but their newest immersive play has a very different setting.
The play is taking place across three apartments at New Maker Yards, in Middlewood Locks – a neighbourhood that’s between Salford and Manchester city centres.
To celebrate the launch of a further 500 homes for rent at New Maker Yards, Get Living – the neighbourhood operator – is inviting Mancunians and Salfordians to experience its newest living spaces like never before, where audience members will begin their interactive theatre experience at apartment 114, and will be welcomed into the lives of three friends to explore the bonds of friendship.
Titled ‘Mates’, the play will celebrate the cities’ culture and lifestyle, and feature immersive mediations, spoken word recitals, and a house party complete with live music and a photo booth.
ADVERTISEMENT
After the performance, audiences will also be able to enjoy a free pint or burger at Seven Bro7thers beerhouse in the neighbourhood.
The play is celebrating the launch of a further 500 homes for rent at New Maker Yards / Credit: Get Living
Speaking ahead of the play’s arrival next week, Eoin Thomas – Community and Events Lead at Get Living – said: “New Maker Yards’ has such a distinctive, vibrant community, and with 500 more new homes available to rent this autumn, we wanted to showcase what living at New Maker Yards is all about.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We’re delighted to be working with the incredible Hope Mill Theatre to take this immersive play out of the theatre and into our living rooms.”
Joseph Houston – Co-Founder and Artistic Director at Hope Mill Theatre – added: “We love creating art, and specifically, art that resonates so strongly with the local community [so] this immersive theatre show at Get Living’s New Maker Yards neighbourhood is so special as we get to celebrate Manchester and the people who live here in a way that lets us connect with both residents and those living nearby.”
‘Mates’ is running between 13 – 21 November 2021, and you can grab tickets for free here.
ADVERTISEMENT
For more information on the new, fully-furnished homes available to rent with Get Living – with no deposits, no fees, and WiFi included – the New Maker Yards website here, or call 0161 826 5961 to speak to a member of the team.
Featured Image – Get Living
Things To Do
National Trust and Pokémon team up for exclusive trading card game and trail this half term
Emily Sergeant
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and immersive trail this half term.
Families are invited to National Trust sites across the UK, including here in the North West, this upcoming May half term, as a brand-new partnership has been launched with Pokémon, and it’s bringing the widely loved brand to the great outdoors through a series of Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) Mega Evolution Trails.
The partnership is set to bring together the places the National Trust cares for and Pokémon’s spirit of play and discovery.
Exclusively designed for the National Trust, the Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are going to be running throughout May half term at 14 National Trust places nationwide, combining ‘imaginative play’ with ‘gentle physical activity’ inspired by Mega Evolution Pokémon.
National Trust and Pokémon have teamed up for an exclusive trading card game and trail this half term / Credit: James Dobson & Annapurna Mellor (Supplied)
Each trail point features a simple physical or creative challenge inspired by different Mega Evolution Pokémon.
From showing courage and curiosity with Darkness-type Mega Gengar ex, to unleashing energy and imagination inspired by the powerful Fire‑type Mega Charizard Y ex, the trails blend imaginative play with gentle activity.
A trail sheet will help young trainers keep track of their discoveries, and at the end of the trail, explorers can celebrate their achievement together with a photo opportunity at a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail backdrop.
It’s hoped that it’ll help more families feel ‘welcome, confident, and curious’ about exploring the outdoors together.
Quarry Bank in Cheshire, Sizergh in Cumbria, and Speke Hall in Merseyside are the three National Trust sites in the North West where the new experience will be talking place.
The Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trails are exclusive to the National Trust and are included with standard National Trust admission (free for NT members).
Beyond May half term, the Mega Evolution Trails form part of a wider National Trust partnership with Pokémon, marking the first of several playful experiences for families throughout the summer holidays, kicking off in July.
Featured Image – James Dobson / National Trust (Supplied)
Things To Do
People with this name can visit Knowsley Safari for FREE to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday
Emily Sergeant
The legendary Sir David Attenborough is turning 100 years old this Friday, and to celebrate, Knowsley Safari is offering free visits.
But it’s only for people with one specific first name.
To mark the 100th birthday of the world’s most influential natural history broadcaster – who was born on 8 May 1926 – popular Merseyside attraction, Knowsley Safari, is offering free access to all visitors who share the name David for one day only this week.
The free tickets honour Sir David’s centenary, while also marking Knowsley Safari’s own ongoing commitment to conservation, education, and protecting wildlife for future generations.
From supporting international breeding programmes for endangered species, to engaging young audiences with conservation-led learning, Knowsley Safari says it continues to campaign for ‘the same values’ Sir David has championed throughout his life.
The attraction says many of its staff were inspired by Sir David Attenborough‘s work to pursue careers in conservation and animal care, which is why this offer of free entry to those with his name is so fitting.
To claim your free visit, all Davids need to do is bring a valid photo ID confirming their name, pre-book the rest of your group online (all the non-Davids), and then show at the pay lanes when you scan the rest of your group’s ticket.
People with the name David can visit Knowsley Safari for free this week to celebrate David Attenborough’s 100th birthday / Credit: Peter Denton (Flickr) | Supplied
“Sir David Attenborough has inspired generations to care more deeply about the natural world,” commented Helena Berry, who is the Head of Marketing and Sales at Knowsley Safari.
“His work has led to the successful conservation careers of many, some of whom are our staff. As Sir David marks his 100th birthday, we want to celebrate his extraordinary legacy with our visitors, and welcoming Davids to the Safari for free is a joyful way to applaud an incredible man who has given so much to Merseyside, wildlife and the planet.”
Emily Sergeant -
4th November 2021 
