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Festive film favourite The Muppet Christmas Carol to be screened with a live orchestra in Manchester

An undeniable Christmas classic told in the most magical way possible.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 13th October 2023

One of the best-loved Christmas films is being screened with a live orchestra playing its iconic soundtrack later this December.

It may have only been a couple of weeks since autumn officially started, but with the nights drawing in, the air starting to feel more wintery by the day, and the spooky season soon to be over and done with, it won’t be long before Disney fans get all cosy and sit down to watch the classic that is The Muppet Christmas Carol.

The festive film has become an undeniable family favourite after it was originally released all the way back in 1992, and is now watched by millions of households right across the globe every time December rolls around.

Starring the Michael Caine as Ebenezer Scrooge, and of course, Kermit, Miss Piggy, and co as the supporting cast of characters, The Muppet Christmas Carol is exactly what it says on the tin – it’s Charles Dickens’ legendary Christmas story… but with The Muppets.

The Muppet Christmas Carol is being screened with a live orchestra in Manchester this December / Credit: Disney

It tells the story of Scrooge, an old miserable man that dislikes Christmas, who is visited by spirits who foretell his future and share secrets from his past and present, which eventually help to change his outlook on life.

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But, if popping on the Christmas classic is already one of your festive traditions, then how do you fancy watching it live in concert as well?

Well, that’s exactly what’s happening at The Bridgewater Hall here in Manchester this December.

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Back by popular demand, The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert is heading out on a tour of the UK starting late next month, and our city’s the lucky one as it’s stopping-off here on the date closest to Christmas Day itself.

It’s sounding set to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family / Credit: Kian Zhang (via Unsplash)

Sounding set to be the perfect festive treat for the whole family, the one-off event will feature a screening of the complete 1992 film, with award-winning composer duo Miles Goodman and Paul Williams’ magical musical score performed live to accompany the Christmas classic.

The Muppet Christmas Carol In Concert will be at The Bridgewater Hall on Wednesday 20 December at 3pm, with tickets now on sale and setting you back anywhere from £34-£70.

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Given how much of a success the event was when it last toured, and the fact it’s really close to Christmas this year, tickets are already being snapped up fast, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to get your hands of them.

Grab your tickets on the Bridgewater Hall’s website here.

Featured Image – Disney

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Travel warning issued as Manchester braces for busiest day of the year so far

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Travel warning issued ahead of busiest weekend of the year for Manchester Marathon

A ‘plan ahead’ travel warning has been issued for this weekend as the Manchester Marathon brings the busiest day of the year so far on the tram network.

Tens of thousands of people will hit the streets to take part in the race itself, with thousands more cheering them on from the sidelines.

This year’s Manchester Marathon route takes 36,000 runners through Sale, Stretford and Timperley before finishing up at a new finish line on Oxford Road – and there’ll be some big changes to your usual travel routes to accommodate this.

TfGM has said that Bee Network trams will be very busy before, during and after the 26.2 mile race, especially in Manchester and Trafford, with a number of road closures in place too.

Taking place on Sunday 27 April, the Manchester Marathon will coincide with Manchester’s popular St George’s Day parade which starts and ends across town around Oldham Road and Great Ancoats Street.

People are being encouraged to plan their journeys carefully this weekend, as it’s expected to be the busiest day of the year on the Bee Network trams.

The Manchester Marathon last year set a new personal best for the tram network, with 175,000 tram journeys racked up – the highest ever recorded on a single Sunday.

Trams will be the best choice to get around the Manchester Marathon course with key stops along the route including Sale, Timperley and Chorlton.

Many road closures will also be in place but at different times of day, so make sure you check HERE for the latest.

This will impact bus services, which will be on diversion from 8am until the end of service on Sunday, with traffic and congestion expected on surrounding roads.

Runners heading to the start line will only be able to access the athletes’ village from Old Trafford and Trafford Bar tram stops up until 9am. Participants arriving after 9am should get off at Wharfside or Exchange Quay instead.

Metrolink is promising to deploy as many double trams as possible across the network, with additional services between Piccadilly and Timperley.

Manchester Marathon guide 2025 important info

As for other modes of transport, those who wish to drive should make us of Park and Ride facilities where possible; and those on the train should note that Salford Central remains closed with bus replacements in place.

Danny Vaughan, Chief Network Director at TfGM said: “The Manchester Marathon is a highlight of the Manchester city centre calendar and our job is to make sure everyone can get to and from the event as smoothly as possible.

“We want everyone to have a great day – whether they are taking on the run themselves or cheering on a friend or loved one – and would urge people to plan their journey in advance, leave plenty of time and check the Bee Network app or website for the most up-to-date information.

“The start and finish lines will be especially busy so if you are coming to watch you may be better off catching the tram to Sale, Timperley or Chorlton, grabbing a coffee and claiming afront row seat to cheer runners on.

“Using public transport is the best way to avoid congestion and delays – and with Tap and Go contactless payments it’s never been easier or more seamless to get around Greater Manchester by bus and tram.”

Passengers can now travel seamlessly between bus and tram and pay for their journey by tapping on when boarding a bus without the need for a ticket, making it the quickest and easiest way to pay for travel.

People travelling on Bee Network buses on Marathon Day can simply tap in and pay £5 for the day on as many buses as they need and just £4.90 on the tram. You can use all Bee Network buses as much as you want all day from just £5.40*.

Kirsty Wilde, Operations Director, from Manchester Marathon organisers A.S.O. UK, said: “The TfGM tram service is an invaluable part of our event, which allows thousands of participants and supporters to navigate around the city. With a record-breaking 36,000 participants set to take part on Sunday 27th April – and more exciting activities taking place over the weekend as a whole – we’re anticipating a rise in tram journeys, which will subsequently bring economic benefits to local vendors, the hospitality sector, and retail businesses.

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“We’d like to thank Transport for Greater Manchester for its continued hard work helping to facilitate what will be the largest event yet, and would also like to say a big thank you to the residents and businesses across Greater Manchester for their understanding and support.”

For further information and travel advice visit the dedicated Manchester Marathon page on the Bee Network website.

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Featured image: Supplied

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Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that's been closed for years

One of the Science and Industry Museum’s most iconic attractions will reopen this summer – and the beloved museum has revealed a sneak peak of how things will look.

The museum has shared CGIs of the reimagined Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery, where visitors will be able to explore a lively working gallery full of engines and rail vehicles.

The popular part of the museum closed for urgent repairs in 2019 and has since been undergoing conservation work and a new look created by award-winning designers Studio MUTT.

The sounds, smells and sights of Manchester’s past and present industry will be brought to the Power Hall when it reopens.

Visitors will soon again be able to rediscover objects and learn the stories behind those who powered Manchester’s industry.

There’ll be three main themes within the Power Hall – Making More, which will explore how engines helped people make more, faster, with steam engines installed at factories and mills.

Then there’ll be Powering Lives, which will examine how engines power the electricity network we all plug into every day.

And also Connecting Places, which looks at how locomotives have connected communities around the world, starting at the site of the museum which sparked a transport revolution in 1830.

Science and Industry Museum reveals CGIs of iconic Power Hall that’s been closed for years

Kate Chatfield, Interpretation and Content Manager at the Science and Industry Museum, said: “Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery will be a must-see Manchester experience – a living gallery that showcases a unique collection of historic 19th and early 20th century working engines to tell the story of Manchester as an epicentre for the engine-driven ideas and industry that shaped the world as we know it today.

“Our most iconic objects will be available to explore like never before as we bring to life the people behind the power through stories of the engineers, makers and technicians who use their skills and senses to create and care for engines, both today and in the past.”

The work on the Power Hall is part of a multi-million-pound regeneration project across the Science and Industry Museum, which is conserving and reimagining these historic buildings.

The Power Hall has been future-proofed in the six years it’s been closed to the public, including urgent roof and timber repairs.

Further information about what to see and do and the Power Hall’s opening date will be announced in the coming weeks. Sign up to the museum’s mailing list to be among the first to hear more.

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Power Hall: The Law Family Gallery project has been made possible with support from The Law Family Charitable Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Headley Trust, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Atmos International, The Beaverbrooks Charitable Trust, The Zochonis Charitable Trust and other donors who choose to remain anonymous.

Special thanks to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for their significant contribution to the gallery, and to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero for funding the decarbonisation of the Power Hall through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix Finance.

Featured image: Supplied

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