It’s been 25 years since one of the best TV shows of all time first aired, and there’s a big quiz show to celebrate in Manchester next month.
Whether you can believe it or not, The Sopranos hit our screens all the way back in 1999.
That’s right – on 10 January 1999, Anthony John Soprano Sr walked into a therapy session with psychiatrist Dr Jennifer Melfi… and from that very moment, the television landscape was changed forever.
If you’re unfamiliar with the HBO drama series, or just haven’t got round to giving it a watch, then we’ll try to briefly sum it up for you without spoiling things.
The Sopranos is an American crime drama series revolving around Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster who struggles to balance his family life with his role as the leader of a criminal organisation – which he reluctantly explores during therapy sessions with psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi (Lorraine Bracco).
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A big quiz show to celebrate The Sopranos’ 25th anniversary is happening in Manchester next month / Credit: HBO
The multi award-winning and massively critically-acclaimed series also features Tony’s various family members, Mafia colleagues, and rivals in prominent roles too.
And now, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of what many consider to be one of the greatest, if not the greatest, TV shows of all time, Cultplex – which is Manchester‘s home of cult cinema, video games, and “cool nerdy events” tucked away within the award-winning venue GRUB in the Green Quarter – will be holding a special edition of their popular cult film trivia evening ‘Quiz Show’ dedicated entirely to The Sopranos.
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Through various ‘quizzical multimedia rounds’, quizmaster Jason Bailey will be testing players’ knowledge of New Jersey’s greatest family man and waste management consultant, so you’ll want to get wising up, “get some gabagool in ya”, and join in to try and win some pretty impressive prizes.
Lucky winners of the quiz can bag themselves a whole month of cinema tickets, plus loads of other Sopranos-themed goodies too.
The Sopranos Quiz Show will be happening down at Cultplex on Wednesday 6 March from 7pm, and tickets will be available for teams, rather than individuals – with a maximum of six quizzers allowed per team.
Keep your eyes peeled for when tickets go live on the Cultplex website here.
Featured Image – HBO
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Popular grassroots music festival to return to hidden Manchester street with new fringe events
Emily Sergeant
Manchester’s much-loved grassroots music festival is back next month, and this year, there’s some new fringe events too.
Set across a handful of popular venues up on Deansgate Mews – including The Lion’s Den, Low Four Studios and The Mews Bar – Deansgate Mews Festival is returning for its sixth year this late May bank holiday weekend.
More than 40 music artists will be performing on a mix of outdoor and intimate indoor stages.
But that’s not all, as in what’s set to be an exciting new chapter for 2026, the festival is expanding beyond its core programme with the launch of the first-ever Mews Fest Fringe too.
Popular grassroots music festival Mews Fest returns this late May bank holiday / Credit: Supplied
The inaugural Mews Fest Fringe will be hosted in a large unit within Great Northern Warehouse, which will be transformed into a ‘vibrant’ hub celebrating music, art and independent culture.
Designed as a platform for Manchester’s creative community, the festival space will welcome artists, designers, collectors, and creative entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their work while connecting with festival-goers.
At the Fringe event, you can expect everything from record sellers and vinyl collectors, to vintage clothes, arts and crafts makers, independent creatives, and even bands selling merchandise.
This year there’s also the addition of the Mews Fest Fringe / Credit: Supplied
Already known for its strong grassroots ethos and growing reputation, Mews Fest continues to champion local talent and independent culture – but now with the addition of the Fringe event, the stage is set for its most ‘ambitious and inclusive’ edition to date.
Oh and the best bit? Both festivals will be free to attend, with no need to book tickets beforehand.
Mews Fest and Mews Fest Fringe will take over Deansgate Mews next month on late May bank holiday weekend from Friday 22 – Monday 26 May.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Emily Sergeant -
13th February 2024 
