Manchester International Festival (MIF) has announced that a giant puppet will walk through the city centre next summer as part of the festival’s opening weekend.
The giant artwork – which is called Little Amal and has been created by the same team behind the world-famous War Horse puppet – is the first event to be announced for the 21st annual Manchester International Festival.
It comes with a very powerful message too.
Little Amal’s arrival to the city is part of a work called The Walk – which follows the journey of a nine-year-old refugee girl from the Turkish-Syrian border to Manchester – and is to be featured at the festival.
The puppet will travel almost 5,000 miles across Turkey and Europe “in search of her mother”.
ADVERTISEMENT
During The Walk, the puppet will cover Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium, before arriving in at the large-scale free public event which will take place in Manchester city centre on 4th July.
Festival organisers say the 3.5-metre-tall puppet of a nine-year-old Syrian girl is an “emblem of the millions of displaced refugee children separated from their families”.
— Manchester International Festival (@MIFestival) October 7, 2020
The Walk is a joint production from theatre company Good Chance and the Handspring Puppet Company.
John McGrath – Artistic Director and CEO of Manchester International Festival – said: “We’re delighted to be a major partner on The Walk, our first event to be unveiled as we plan for MIF21, and to welcome Little Amal to Manchester for the conclusion of her extraordinary journey.
“At MIF, we have a proud history of creating large-scale participatory events that bring the city together. As we continue to navigate these uncertain times, a project like this feels more important than ever – encapsulating everything that the arts can do; crossing borders, starting important conversations, and bringing communities together.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We hope that families, communities, schools, friends and neighbours – everyone who calls Greater Manchester their home – will help us welcome Little Amal.”
Bevan Ross – MIF / The WalkBevan Ross – MIF / The Walk
Amir Nizar Zuabi – Artistic Director of The Walk – said: “It is because the attention of the world is elsewhere right now that it is more important than ever to reignite the conversation about the refugee crisis and change the narrative around it.
“Yes, refugees need food and blankets, but they also need dignity and a voice. The purpose of The Walk is to highlight the potential of the refugee, not just their dire circumstances. Little Amal is 3.5 metres tall because we want her to inspire us to think big and to act bigger.”
He added: “She is walking through your town. The question is how would you like to welcome her?”
You can find more information about The Walk via the Manchester International Festival (MIF) website here.
What's On
There’s a non-alocholic pairing dinner coming to Manchester this Dry Jan
Thomas Melia
A one-night-only pairing of two dining out staples from the food and drink world is coming to Manchester next month, and it also happens to be non-alcoholic for anyone doing Dry January.
Taking place at the wonderful Maray over on Lincoln Square, each dish served throughout the night will be expertly paired with a non-alcoholic drink from zero-per cent experts, Lucky Saint.
This Middle Eastern eatery is always surprising its diners, last September they made their infamous roasts free for one day only, and this upcoming event is sure to be as exciting with its unique tastings.
Lucky Saint came to fruition after partnering with a historical brewery in Bavaria who’ve produced beer for over 400 years, creating a non alcoholic alternative which greeted UK drinkers in 2020.
Lucky Saint will be readily available and paired with every meal.Diners can expect some sensational food as always from Maray. Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Titled ‘The Official Beer Of Dry January’, supplying IPAs and lagers to a host of stockists, not only are their products fully non-alcoholic but they’re also entirely plant-based – meaning they’re the perfect tie-in with Veganuary.
If their website is anything to go by, diners are set to enjoy refreshments such as their unfiltered lager and a 0.5% ‘Hazy’ IPA which contains juicy tropical notes. Don’t mind if we do.
Although it’s hard to say what the food offerings may be, it’s guaranteed that anyone who attends is in for a treat as this site has even served famous faces like Dua Lipa back in 2022 while she was on tour.
Their vegan menu features some meat free feasts like a falafel sharer and a delicious oyster mushroom shwarma, it’s a well-loved restaurant.
Vegans are certainly catered for at this event as it’s not only the free-flowing drinks that contain no animal products, there will also be an entirely vegan menu on hand.
Maray have multiple locations but anyone who couldn’t get enough of the flavours the first time in Manchester can attend their Liverpool pairing dinner which is happening the very next day.
The Maray x Lucky Saint Dry January Pairing Dinner is coming to Manchester on Wednesday, 15 January from 7-9:30pm with tickets live HERE.
And if you’re looking for other places to enjoy a guilt-free drink in the city centre this month, we’ve got a few suggestions for you:
Doing #DryJan doesn't have to mean staying in or saying goodbye to the pub. 🍹
Hundreds more FREE tickets released for Big Night of Musicals in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Hundreds more free tickets for Big Night of Musicals will be released this morning ahead of its return to the AO Arena in Manchester.
New shows have also been announced for the dazzling spectacle, which brings some of theatre’s biggest West End and touring shows to our city.
Just announced on the line-up are Cabaret, Chicago, Mary Poppins and Titanique, joining a show-stopping billing that already included Disney’s Hercules, Mean Girls, Jim Steinman’s Bat Out of Hell The Musical, Here & Now – The Official Steps Musical, Calamity Jane and Dear Evan Hansen.
Presented by Jason Manford, The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals saw its first release of tickets sell out within just 24 hours.
So now hundreds more are being released to National Lottery players from 10am today, Friday 10 January, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The show on Monday 27 January, now in its fourth year, serves as a special thank you to National Lottery players who have helped support more than 20,000 theatre-related projects to the tune of £1.3b.
As well as all those dazzling musicals, the evening’s line-up will feature some unique performances, including musical theatre star Michael Ball, as well as a preview of some of the exciting new shows coming to the West End and on tour this year.
Hundreds more FREE tickets released for Big Night of Musicals in Manchester which now includes Chicago. Credit: Tristam Kenton
Jason Manford said: “It’s an honour to be back hosting The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals for the fourth time!
“It’s always a pleasure to host in Manchester to give a northern audience the chance to see some spectacular performances and appearances from the stars of the West End – and this year’s line-up is stronger than ever.
“Once again, one of the best aspects of the show is that tickets are free as a thank you to National Lottery players who help ensure the performing arts industry thrives by playing each week.”
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will also be broadcast by the BBC later this spring.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Monday 27 January – final release free tickets are available from 10am HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
7th October 2020 
