A huge circus tent will be installed onto the roof of Depot Mayfield in Manchester next month, when the world-leading cabaret La Clique comes to town.
The trailblazing show will visit the city for a limited six-week run, featuring the best circus and cabaret acts in the world.
A beautiful 1920s Spiegeltent is set to be installed onto the rooftop ready for La Clique’s launch from Thursday 25 May.
Presented by live entertainment company Underbelly, La Clique will be wowing audiences with its genre-defining cabaret show.
It’s toured across the globe, with runs in London’s Leicester Square, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, in New York, Singapore, Melbourne and Montreal.
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For its Manchester stint, performers will include tension strap artist LJ Marles, singer Chastity Belt, aerial contortion artist Miranda Menzies, comedy and stunt performer Sam Goodburn, and more artists to be announced very soon.
La Clique. Credit: Craig Sugden
The spectacular Spiegeltent is a type of travelling entertainment venue, otherwise known as a ‘mirror tent’, built in Belgium in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Inside, there’s a central circular stage with multiple seating options, including private booths for up to eight adults, each table coming with a bottle of prosecco.
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There’ll be a beautiful outdoor bar and local street food traders beside the Spiegeltent ready for La Clique’s run in May and June.
Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, Co-Directors of Underbelly, said: “We’re beyond thrilled to finally bring Underbelly to Manchester this Summer, and we can’t think of a show more perfect than La Clique.
“La Clique is all about audiences having the most incredible time in the majestic Spiegeltent, being entertained by the world’s best circus, cabaret and comedy performers – your jaw will be on the floor one minute, and your stomach in pains from laughing the next.
“Surrounding the Spiegeltent, we’re bringing our famous Underbelly pop-up flair, taking over the incredible rooftop of Depot Mayfield with a beautiful outdoor bar and delicious street food. Join us for the event of the Summer, we promise it won’t disappoint.”
David Bates, Creative Director and Originating Producer of La Clique, said: “La Clique has been described as: ‘Over the Head, Under the Skin and Below the Belt…’ – it is the original circus cabaret that has taken the world by storm from Paris to New York, and everywhere in between.
“It’s sexy, it’s funny, it’s dangerous… Manchester, strap yourself in, it’s your turn now to feel the thrill and we couldn’t be more excited!”
Laura Percy, Development Director for Mayfield, said: “Manchester’s cultural credentials are second to none and we are thrilled and excited to welcome the pioneering and eclectic brilliance of La Clique to Mayfield this summer.
“At Mayfield we’ve re-imagined the iconic Depot as an ever-evolving and atmospheric cultural space fit for world- class artists like La Clique. Huge credit to our partners at Broadwick for their passion and creativity in bringing outstanding new shows like this here.”
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Natalie Lea, Head of Venue, Depot Mayfield, said: “We are delighted to be hosting La Clique at Depot Mayfield this Summer which will showcase the world’s best circus and cabaret acts.
“We are so proud to be enhancing our leisure offering and bringing the Spiegeltent venue, an original mirror tent that will illuminate La Clique’s dazzling performances, to the Depot Mayfield rooftop. We cannot wait to welcome you to Manchester this Summer.”
La Clique runs every evening from Tuesday to Sunday (from Thursday 25 May), starting times vary between 7pm and 9.45pm. Running time for the show is 100 minutes including an interval.
To celebrate its opening, La Clique is offering limited early bird tickets for the first two weeks where stalls tickets are reduced to £25 per person. Tickets are automatically discounted via the website.
You can get FREE food and more at Tesco Christmas Markets across Greater Manchester
Thomas Melia
Tesco Christmas Markets are back and heading to even more Greater Manchester locations where you can try lots of festive items all for FREE.
If you missed it last year, then don’t worry, as Tesco has brought back its much-loved Christmas Markets and the stalls are visiting more locations across the UK than ever before.
We’ve got you covered with all the dates and locations these freebie-filled Christmas Markets are visiting to make sure you don’t catch a case of festive FOMO.
Tesco Christmas Markets will be filled with all your favourite brands you usually fill up your trolley with from the likes of Costa, McCain, Celebrations and more.
And of course, it wouldn’t be a Tesco-led celebration without its own Finest range making an appearance across select Greater Manchester locations.
Expect to sample Tesco Finest Scallop and King Prawn Toast, Tesco Finest Stratford Blue with Fig Conserve and sweet treat staple, Tesco Finest Brandy Butter Mince Pies.
The best-loved brands mentioned before will be offering samples like smooth and creamy cups of Chocomel, or caramel-infused Nutcracker Spectacular drinks thanks to coffee shop chain Costa too.
In terms of food, McCain are letting you crunch down on its latest crisp range Vibes, Celebrations is treating you to its chocolate collection and biscuit varities from Bahlsen.
Tesco Christmas Markets are visiting major Greater Manchester locations giving out lots of FREE food / Credit: Press Shots (via Supplied)
Feeling merry and bright? Alcoholic drink brands 1664 is bringing out its blue bottles, Three Barrels for its XO and VSOP brandies as well as the coffee-infused liquer Drambuie.
If you’re after something to warm up your winter’s day, Costa is also letting you try some of its Home-made Barista style coffees and coffee pod masterminds Tassimo are offering samples of its Cadbury, L’Or, Kenco ranges and more.
Finally, if that wasn’t enough for you, why not clear your palette with a Christmas creation courtesy of teapigs and its caffeine-free peppermint leaves, yum.
Here’s all the important dates and locations for Tesco Christmas Markets 2025 schedule for Greater Manchester and wider regions:
Fri 14 November – Glossop Superstore, SK13 8HB
Sat 15 November – Hattersley Extra in Hyde, SK14 3AU
Sun 16 November – Failsworth Extra in Manchester, M35 0EJ
Mon 17 November – Manchester Gorton Extra, M18 8LD
Tue 18 November – Stockport Extra, SK1 2BT
Wed 19 November – Burnage Superstore in Manchester, M19 1TF
Thu 20 November – Prestwich Superstore in Manchester, M25 3TG
Fri 21 November – Bolton Horwich Extra, BL6 6JS
Sun 23 November – Chorley Extra, PR7 1NW
Mon 24 November – Leyland Extra, PR25 2FN
Sun 30 November – Prescot Extra, L34 5NQ
Mon 1 December – St Helens Extra, WA9 3AL
Tue 2 December – Widnes Extra, WA8 7YT
Wed 3 December – Warrington Extra, WA2 7NE
Mon 8 December – Accrington Extra, BB5 1LN
Fri 12 December – Macclesfield Hibel Road Superstore, SK10 2AB
To view a full list of all the Tesco Christmas Markets locations across the UK and browse all the brands that are taking part you can find everything HERE.
Manchester Art Fair unveils ‘biggest lineup yet’ ahead of return this weekend
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Art Fair returns this weekend, and it’s now unveiled its ‘biggest lineup yet’.
The countdown is on, as one of the UK’s largest and most significant art fairs makes its way back to Manchester this weekend, bringing more than 180 exhibitors together all under one roof.
Manchester Art Fair has gone from strength to strength since it first began back in 2008, as the annual event is now by far one of the most celebrated cultural events in Greater Manchester‘s social calendar, and is known and loved for bringing together hundreds of individual artists, galleries, and artist-led spaces to our city centre – with around 13,000 visitors attending each year.
Designed for the collector, the curator, and those who are just simply curious, Manchester Art Fair will feature lots of new and returning galleries and artists, all of whom will be showing new works.
From this Friday through to Sunday, Manchester Central will transform into the North’s biggest art gallery, where art enthusiasts can connect directly with galleries and artists and find that perfect piece to take home.
Some of the highlights include nationally acclaimed Manchester oil painter and artist, Chloe Cox, who is renowned for her powerful depictions of Caribbean heritage, as well as Brighton-based textile artist Corinna Wilson, known professionally as Bob & Eve, and sculptor and painter Jamie Frost, whose bold works explore the tension between strength and vulnerability in the human form.
Iconic names Porsche and Boodles will also be debuting at this year’s fair, fusing art with exquisite design are luxury brands.
But this year’s event isn’t just for art collectors, as visitors can also enjoy an extended programme of high-profile talks, immersive experiences, and workshops too.
Manchester Art Fair is making a grand return to the city centre this weekend / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
TV scriptwriter Joe Tucker, Guardian journalist Eddy Frankel, and Art Newspaper critic and correspondent Louisa Buck are just some of the names set to host talks and Q&As this weekend.
Workshops visitors can take part in from just £10 per person include the chance to explore the art of expressive contemporary still life drawings, or travel the journey from realism to abstraction to create your own abstract art with inspiration from one of Europe’s most influential artists, Piet Mondrian.
And on Friday 21 November, two chefs from North West Michelin-starred restaurants will be preparing bespoke menus for leading art buyers and collectors. Paul Leonard – Head Chef at The Forest Side – and Ollie Bridgwater – Executive Chef at the Gilpin Hotel – will be working with work with Exec Chef Matthew Hagan and his team at Manchester Central.
Speaking ahead of the fair’s return this weekend, Sophie Helm, who is the Director at Manchester Art Fair, said: “This year’s programme features an exciting breadth of names, many of whom will be joining us in person to share the inspiration behind their work and journey as an artist, including a number of UK and Northern firsts.”
More than 180 exhibitors will all gather together under one roof / Credit: Manchester Art Fair
Sophie described this year’s fair as a ‘clear statement of intent’
“Culture is a driving force for commerce and community in our region, reflecting the fair’s growing influence and its ability to connect contemporary art with premium yet accessible lifestyle experiences,” she concluded.
Manchester Art Fair 2025 will first open at Manchester Central with an exclusive preview night on Friday 21 November from 5-9pm, before it then continues on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 November, with tickets still available to grab.
Tickets are priced at £12 for a day ticket, £15 for a two-day ticket, or £25 for a preview night ticket, including access throughout the weekend, all with booking fees applying.
Daisy Jackson -
14th April 2023 
