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An interactive, autism-friendly crisp sandwich cafe show is coming to Manchester

You can make your own crisp sandwiches here.

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant - 4th August 2021

“I’d love to start the crisp sandwich revolution,” extols Matthew Rawcliffe as he lays out the concept behind his new crisp sandwich cafe show, which lands in Manchester next week.

The award-winning contemporary dancer has put together a heart-warming ‘crisp sandwich cafe’ show that will take place at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel next week.

Set inside a crisp butty venue, the show tells a story about the current state of our planet through the lens of crisp sandwiches – and it’s all designed to be autism-friendly.

The ‘crisp sandwich cafe’ show will take place at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel

Throughout the performance, issues like the climate crisis and Brexit are tackled through the medium of crisps; so guests will hear Boris Johnson talk about what Brexit means for the future of cheese and onion crisps, and learn about the climate crisis through an imaginary ‘crisis crackers’ crisp brand.

Adjacent to the performance there will also be a quiet breakout space for autistic attendees if they need a second away. There’ll be some sensory activities to take part in, too – including the chance to make your very own crisp sandwich.

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Speaking on the idea for the show and the crisp sandwich theme, Matthew explains: “It was just something that feels very nostalgic and northern and also a really unusual setting to stage a contemporary dance show which looks at the climate crisis – and I hope that’s a great thing, I’d love to start the crisp sandwich revolution.”

Matthew Rawcliffe says he would “love to start the crisp sandwich revolution”.

The 22-year-old has worked with autistic people in the creation of The Crisp Sandwich Café, including autistic contemporary dancer Paul Davidson Natt from the National Youth Dance Company – a former student at the National Autistic Society’s Sybil Elgar School.

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Featuring autism-friendly dance performances and costumes made from recycled plastic waste, courtesy of Manchester-based sustainable dancewear brand, Imperfect Pointes, the show is suitable for autistic people aged 14 to 24.

Hosted at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, there will be five shows running from Monday 9 August to Wednesday 11 August.

These will take place on Monday 9 August at 2pm or 4pm, Tuesday 10 August at 2pm or 4pm, and Wednesday 11 August, at 7pm.

To book a ticket, click here.

What's On

The top nerdy places in Manchester to get your geek on

Dean Hadcock Dean Hadcock Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.

There are so many different types of nerds. From comic and manga readers, to the tabletop players, to lovers of video and arcade games.

So even if you’re DC or Marvel, in Manchester there’s a bit of something for everyone.

We’ve rounded up everything from board game cafes to comic book shops to arcade bars.

Whether you’re looking to buy or play, here are some of the nerdiest places you NEED to check out in Manchester.

Forbidden Planet

Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester
Forbidden Planet in the Northern Quarter, Manchester

This place is like the Big Tescos for nerds. It’s your one-stop shop for everything geeky.

Upstairs has everything like pop funks, figurines, collectables and fun merch from your favourite shows and games.

Downstairs is where the magic happens, and if you’re looking to get into comics or manga, this is the place to be. It’s got all the classics you’d expect with, of course, the brand-new comic releases.

Travelling Man

Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city's best havens for nerds
Travelling Man in Manchester is one of the city’s best havens for nerds

This Dale Street shop is like the previous but with a smaller, independent feel and is always a lovely shop to browse in.

It’s our personal favourite and it’s got all you need including comics, manga and loads of tabletop games to browse and purchase.

Fan Boy Three

Looking for people to play board games with? This is the place to go. It was voted the UK’s favourite board game store in 2019.

You can join D&D and Warhammer games or just nip in for a browse, just try not to end up spending copious amounts of money on a new Warhammer army.

Afflecks

You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester
You can now get married at Afflecks in Manchester

This gigantic shopping emporium is the home of all things alt, but there are also plenty of shops inside to get your geek on.

Here are just a few standouts. There’s Card Empire specialising in Yu-Gi-Oh and Pokemon Cards. The Animaid Cafe for lovers of all things kawaii. And we couldn’t forget Star Wars Man on the third floor with his huge collection of nostalgic TV and film collectables.

NQ64

Arcade games at NQ64's new site in Manchester.
Arcade games at NQ64’s new site in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group

Now if you’re looking to play instead of buy, the next three will be right up your street. Starting with NQ64, specifically the massive new site in the Northern Quarter.

They’ve got loads of classic arcade machines, themed cocktails and grub for when you get the mid-gaming munchies. We highly recommend playing Ice Cold Beer and beating our high score of 7 (trust us it’s hard).

Pixel Bar

Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester
Pixel Bar in Manchester

Fancy something less retro and more modern? Try Pixel Bar, which is open past midnight every day.

If you want to grab some mates and have a couple of drinks while you crush them on games like Smash, Fifa or Tony Hawk, this is the place to be.

Bury Arcade Club

This place is the Mecca of all things arcade. It’s a multi-level video arcade featuring classic and modern games.

The best thing about it is you pay one standard fee (under £20) and you get to play everything inside for free and as much as you want.

The downside is Bury is a bit of a trek from the city centre and you’ll probably have to drive to get there. 

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Featured image: The Manc Group

What's On

Busted at Manchester’s AO Arena — tickets, support acts, stage times and more

Danny Jones Danny Jones Busted stage times Manchester night 2

Guys, we don’t know if you heard but Busted are back on tour— or, more accurately, back on top and they’re bringing all the hits and unparalleled energy levels to Manchester’s AO Arena for a second night in less than a week.

The Busted boys played an initial sold-out show last weekend but had to add a second Manchester date due to the massive demand and although they received rave reviews the first time around, it might as well have been a warm-up for the main event which is already shaping up to be a belter.

With some seriously good supports, another soon-to-sell-out crowd of 20,000+ and the trio now having had a ridiculously good practice run only a few days ago, Busted at the AO Arena night two is going to be insane.

That being said, here’s everything you need to know about their 20th-anniversary tour date and greatest hits show.

Are there tickets left for Busted in Manchester?

If you’re still scrambling around in the hope of getting a last-minute ticket to hear the likes of ‘Year 3000’ and ‘What I Go to School For’ live, you’re in luck: there’s still a very small handful of tickets to be snapped up if you’re quick enough.

There are still a few seats floating about, ranging from £42.50 to £53.50 on Ticketmaster, and you can obviously splurge on the AO Arena’s Champagne Experiences in the Electric Lounge if you fancy it.

As always, if you end up missing out you can also check out resale sites like Twickets and TicketSwap, we advise steering clear from ticket touts at all costs.

You better do one better if you’re going to night two — don’t let us down!

Support acts

Busted have brought some truly great support acts along with them this time, including 90s and 2000s US pop favourites, Hanson — remember them?

As well as the equally iconic trio, Manc pop band New Hope Club are playing the home crowd too. Go on the local lads!

Throwing together some of the era’s most iconic pop-rock together with another three-piece from the modern generation, you’re getting a proper value-for-money and for-all-ages show this Saturday.

Busted stage times for AO Arena night two

As for when you can expect to see each of these fantastic acts take the stage, doors will open from 6pm and New Hope Club will be getting things started at 7:30pm.

Finishing a quickfire set just a few minutes before Hanson, the American throwback best-known for ‘MMMBop’ with be playing from 8pm until 8:30pm — and you might even have a surprise in store. We’re saying nothing else…

Then, at 9pm, the main event gets underway with Busted set to play up until curfew around 11pm and we literally can’t wait.

20th Anniversary and Greatest Hits setlist

Thanks to the ever-reliable Setlist.fm (and the fact we already had multiple members of The Manc office go along to the first night), we even know what they’ll be playing:

  1. Air Hostess
  2. Meet You There
  3. Loser Kid
  4. You Said No
  5. Everything I Knew
  6. MMMBop (Hanson cover)
  7. Sleeping With the Light On
  8. Good One
  9. What I Go to School For
  10. Who’s David
  11. Falling for You
  12. Thunderbirds Are Go
  13. She Wants to Be Me
  14. 3am
  15. Crashed the Wedding

Encore

  • Video (Brit Awards 2004)
  • Teenage Kicks (The Undertones cover)
  • Interlude
  • Year 3000

All the hits — what more could you ask for? Oh yeah, and did we mention they’re number one!?

Read more:

It’s going to be another great night at the Arena, we just know it, no matter where you end up.

And, seriously, if you can afford it don’t sleep on the VIP experience — it’s worth every penny and perfect for a special occasion.

We recently went along to try ourselves for this year’s Davis Cup and it was a brilliant experience.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Image — Busted/@chazzadnitt (via Instagram)

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