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.
Wildlife conservationist Steve Backshall to host ‘fascinating’ new stage show at Chester Zoo next month
Emily Sergeant
Wildlife conservationist and TV presenter Steve Backshall is hosting a new stage show at Chester Zoo next month.
The new show – which has been created especially for Chester Zoo audiences – will take visitors on a ‘fascinating’ journey into the lives and ancient origins of sharks, which are by far one of the planet’s most extraordinary and misunderstood predators.
Featuring real shark teeth and jaws, lifelike replicas, and historic footage, during each 30-minute live show, audiences will get the chance to travel back in time and discover the earliest sharks that once swam our shorelines, how they have evolved over millions of years, and what makes them such remarkable animals today.
Visitors will have the chance to learn all about a wide variety of shark species – from the iconic great white, to the unusual wobbegong shark.
Drawing on his own experiences, the world-renowned wildlife conservationist and TV presenter will also share stories from his personal encounters with the ocean’s most powerful predators, and will take part in a Q&A all about it too.
Funds from ticket sales – which cost £5 each – will support the zoo’s vital conservation efforts, both in the UK and in more than 20 countries around the world.
“I’m really looking forward to performing my new live show at Chester Zoo,” commented Steve Backshall.
Wildlife conservationist Steve Backshall is hosting ‘fascinating’ new stage show at Chester Zoo next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s somewhere that’s doing some incredible work to protect species around the world, so it’s the perfect place for me to go and talk about my love of sharks and how we can all do our bit to make the world a better place for them.”
Steve Backshall Live will take place from 23 – 31 May, with shows running at 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm and 4pm daily.
Zoo visitors will also need to book Chester Zoo admission tickets for the day, or have a valid membership, to attend a show – and tickets to the show can be booked online here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Stockport’s free street festival Stock Party is returning this summer
Daisy Jackson
Stock Party, the free street festival that sees Stockport absolutely packed, will return to the town this summer.
Organisers are promising that this year’s event will be even bigger and bolder than before, filling the streets from the Great Underbank through Stockport Market Place and along the Underbanks, reaching all the way to Robinsons Brewery Yard.
For this one magical day in summer, Stockport will transform into an open-air, town-wide block party, in a huge celebration of the town’s independent spirit.
The event will bring together street food traders, pop-up bars, DJ sets, and plenty of entertainment in every corner of town.
It’s all one big collaboration between Track Brewing Co., Robinsons Brewery, Cloudwater, SK1 Records, and Totally Stockport (Stockport’s Business Improvement District), along with new partners Stockport County FC.
Robinsons Brewery Yard will host a major hub for Stock Party, with Track, Robinsons and Uskees taking over the space, plus music curated by Odioba and food from Honest Crust pizza and ISCA.
Over on the Underbank, it’ll be Cloudwater pouring the beers and SK1 Records on the decks outside their new shop.
Robinson’s Brewery will host a major hub of Stock Party 2026Independent businesses across Stockport will be getting involved
This is where you’ll find some of Stockport’s most exciting independent food traders in once place, including Mekong Cat and The Spinn Off.
And at Stockport Market Place, Red Bull will have a dedicated DJ stage.
It’s not just about food, booze, and tunes though – Stock Party 2026 will have plenty of family-friendly events going on.
That includes a breakout space in Stockroom, pottery and photography workshops in Merseyway, and craft workshops in Good Yard Studio.
There’s even a free family disco, complete with inflatable instruments, in Hillgate Cakery.
The Apple Core, Stockport’s newest opening, will transform into a wellness space, featuring a social run, curated exhibition, and an evening of music.
A sample of last year’s Stock Party celebration. Credit: Supplied
As the day turns to night, Stock Party will continue with its now-legendary after-party pub rave at Red Bull on Hillgate.
Pop into basically any local business during Stock Fest and you’ll find them getting stuck into the atmosphere, with loads of street bars, takeaway drinks, and DJs popping up all over town.
You’ll even be able to grab a bowl of fresh pasta from the door of Little Scarves, or a sandwich from a Rack pop-up.
We’ve listed a load of the independent venues joining in with Stock Party below so we don’t miss anyone:
Bruk – DJs from day into night, street bar, and special Stock Party cocktails
Runaway brewery – a special Stock Party beer in collaboration with some of favourite Stockport Indies, alongside Honest Crust Pizza specials and a party at the taproom throughout the day
Noah’s – DJs and bar activation
The Good Rebel – outdoor bar with beers and spritz
This Godless Place – house and disco DJs from midday with outdoor seating
Sleepy Parrot Studio – live music and radio station takeover
Fell Stockport – takeaway can deals and vinyl sessions
Little Scarves – fresh pasta served from the door
Rack – sandwich pop-up
On Da Rocks – DJs throughout the day
Marley’s – Mexican street food specialising in birria tacos
Convene – wood-fired Balkan flatbreads with charcoal mangal and natural wines
The Dilly Deli – oysters, sandwiches, spritz, and wine
Underbanks – Gatto sourdough pizza, crémant bar, DJ programme, and outdoor seating
On Da Rocks Caribbean food offers including jerk chicken, curry goat, and plant-based options, alongside cocktail deals
Stock Party will take place on Saturday 4 July between 12pm and 9pm, with free entry.
Daisy Jackson -
14th April 2023 
