An all-singing, all-dancing trip through Wonderland is scheduled for May this year – and Manchester is being invited to come along for the ride.
A spectacular showcase of immersive musical entertainment is destined for the Trafford Centre in just a few weeks’ time – as an interactive Alice in Wonderland-themed show rolls into town.
Hosted by Sophisticated Entertainment, Wonderland promises audiences a journey into Lewis Carroll’s famously kaleidoscopic world – with talented singers, dancers and actors guiding the way.
Highlights include The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party; a super speedy caucus race, and Tweedle Dum & Tweedle Dee causing mischief throughout.
‘Wonderland’ will take place on three separate dates at DriveINSIDE at the Trafford Centre – a venue billed as Britain’s first COVID-compliant theatre.
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Families can park up in an allocated space, take a seat alongside their vehicle and enjoy the entertainment in their very own safe space.
The first ‘Wonderland’ will kick off from 7pm Friday 14 May, before a second edition bursts into action the following afternoon at 2pm on Saturday 15 May.
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The third and final showing of ‘Wonderland’ will take place on the evening of Sunday 23rd May – beginning at 7pm.
Learn more about the show and grab your tickets here.
What's On
Huge line-up revealed for Leeds International Festival of Ideas
Sophie Smith
The 2023 line-up for Leeds International Festival of Ideas has been released, and it’s all taking place in a brand new venue.
The huge event will bring together some of the most thought-provoking speakers of our time and is well worth the trip across to our neighbouring city.
Taking over the Leeds Playhouse will be a diverse programme and educational discussions, The Hoot reports.
Giving a glimpse of what we’re in store for this year, LIFI has announced the first of its highly-anticipated speakers.
Best-selling author and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax will be bringing her unique brand of humour to the festival as she takes the audience on her journey to address the importance of mental wellness.
Ruby Wax is “thrilled to be a part of the line-up”. / Image: Supplied
The author, performer and activist is excited about joining the festival: “Leeds International Festival of ideas 2023 looks really exciting and I’m thrilled to be part of the line-up this year. I can’t wait to visit Leeds again and take audiences on my journey to mindfulness.”
Steven Bartlett, perhaps most notably known as the podcaster Diary of a CEO, co-Founder of Social Chain, and also as an investor on Dragon’s Den, amongst other business endeavours, will be taking to the stag to share an insight into ‘how he spots the next big thing’.
Steven Bartlett will be telling Leeds how he ‘spots the next big thing’. / Image: Supplied
Bringing an insight into representation and inclusivity in the media, reality TV star and LGBTQ+ activist Bimini, will also be a key speaker at the International Festival of Ideas.
And this is just the beginning.
The four day festival promises to host a programme of panels and keynotes which focus on topics such as grief, political systems, womxn’s health inequalities and self-sufficiency, among others from Wednesday 27 September – Saturday 30 September 2023.
Bimini is bringing a wealth of knowledge to LIFI23. / Image: Supplied
And what better venue than the Leeds Playhouse?
The award-winning cultural hub was recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards as the Most Welcoming Theatre in 2022. With a mission to seek out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire, Leeds Internationals Festival of Ideas, will be joining the long list of exciting productions, festivals and events that Leeds Playhouse have hosted over the past 50 years.
Martin Dickson, Leeds International Festival of Ideas has commented: “We are thrilled with the programme we are bringing to the city for LIFI23, built on the outstanding success of last year, we think it is our strongest speaker line-up yet.
“We’re also hugely excited to be presenting the festival at the incredible Leeds Playhouse, on of the most famous theatre venue in the city, a privilege and an honour.
“LIFI23 will once again address some of the most important social issues affecting us all, taking them on over 4 inspirational days across 11 events and shining an outspoken light on Leeds, projecting the city once again as a bold, innovative thought-leading city.”
The full lineups and tickets will be available from Tuesday 4 April but in the meantime those wanting to grab tickets are encouraged to visit the Leeds International Festival of Ideas website to sign up for announcements and ticket updates.
The comedian is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most downloaded internet show of all time – and is known for his satirical comedy that often divides opinions.
After performing Armageddon in London last year, the comedian took to Twitter to say he’d have his fans ‘reported for hate crimes’ for laughing at the new material, according to The Independent – just to give you an idea of what may lie ahead.
The tour has already sold out its first five dates, with the rest (including a Leeds stop) going on sale this week.
You can get tickets from 10am on Friday 31 March through Ticketmaster.
The Manc -
26th March 2021 
