A new world-first free exhibition that’s set to explore the revolution in science that is transforming cancer care is opening to the public at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester next week.
Opening on 22 October, the Science Museum Group has partnered with expert partner Cancer Research UK for the curation of the new exhibition – named Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation, and hope – at what is a key moment in time when one in two of us will be diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, but more of us than ever before are living longer and better with the disease.
Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation, and hope is the first “major object-rich exhibition” to reveal the past, present and future of how cancer is prevented, detected and treated.
Through never-before seen objects and stories, cutting edge treatment and research, reflection, new artist commissions and installations, film, photography, interactive exhibits and a breadth of personal stories, the museum says the exhibition will present the stories of people affected by cancer and those who study and treat it.
It’ll reveal how researchers, clinicians, policy makers, and patients are pushing progress in “a powerful expression of shared hope”.
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The new world-first exhibition is set to explore the revolution in science that is transforming cancer care is opening to the public / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
The exhibition is aiming to show show far we’ve come by busting myths about the causes of cancer, to exploring how the disease isn’t unique to humans, and how the latest cancer research, early detection technologies and immunotherapies are advancing cancer care today, as well as revealing how cancer has been treated over the centuries – from high-risk surgeries to the discovery of the first chemotherapy drugs – and the important challenges that still remain yet to be solved.
There’ll be 125 objects and 30 personal stories included in the exhibition that reveal this groundbreaking journey of scientific discovery.
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Visitors to the exhibition will be introduced to the researchers and remarkable science that is transforming our understanding of the disease and ways of treating it, particularly in its more advanced stages, as is showcases new technologies being used to detect the disease in its earliest stages.
Katie Dabin – Lead Curator of Cancer Revolution – said: “We are immensely proud to be able to bring to life for the very first time the awe-inspiring story of how far cancer treatment has come [as] despite the advances in survival that have been made, there are still big questions to address.
“While we can’t cancer-proof our lives, more people than ever before can be treated or live with the disease for a long time and we can take agency in the face of it.”
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The Science Museum Group has partnered with expert partner Cancer Research UK for the curation of the new exhibition / Credit: Science and Industry MuseumThe exhibition is aiming to show show far we’ve come by busting myths about the causes of cancer / Credit: Science and Industry Museum
Michelle Mitchell – Chief Executive at Cancer Research UK – added: “This major new exhibition will show how cancer care is being revolutionised, thanks to research which is making transformative steps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
“This past year has highlighted the value of investing in science and medical research, and what can be achieved with collective focus and collaboration.
“Just like science is our route out of the pandemic, science is our route to beating cancer.”
Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation, and hope opens on Friday 22 October and will run through to March 2022, before it tours to the Science Museum in London in 2022.
Annie at Palace Theatre Manchester – a charming interpretation of an old classic | Review
Clementine Hall
For a musical built on nostalgia, this Annie that’s just arrived at the Palace Theatre in Manchester feels surprisingly lively – here’s our full review…
Annie is a show tied up with countless childhood memories. Whether you performed it in the school choir, watched the film starring Carol Burnett, or saw it on stage, we’ve all got our own memories of Annie since it first opened in 1977.
So to bring it to a modern theatre audience who no doubt feel some connection to the characters and score is no mean feat.
If you’ve seen any of the posters plastered around the city, you’ll see British drag queen ‘La Voix’ take centre stage as the slippery and gin-fuelled Miss Hannigan.
Images: Press shots (supplied)
This is obviously a strategic move to get bums on seats, and although La Voix is of course a ferocious and standout performer, the production is so much more than that.
They say never to work with children in showbiz, so leading a group of 10-year-old orphans in a snappy and perfectly choreographed rendition of‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’ is really a huge achievement in itself.
All the kids are wonderful, but Victoria Alsina, who plays the titular role, deserves particular credit. It’s a huge role for any actor, never mind a child, and she handles it with confidence, charm, and just the right amount of grit.
As expected, La Voix gets some of the biggest laughs of the night. Her Miss Hannigan leans heavily into the character’s chaos and bitterness, but never feels one-note. It’s a performance packed with quick-fire comedy, and the vocals are tight.
Images: Supplied
That said, Annie would be in trouble if it relied solely on stunt casting. Thankfully, it doesn’t.
The wider cast is consistently strong, the ensemble numbers are full of energy, and the costumes are nothing short of fabulous. The real challenge with Annie is making a story that’s approaching its 50th birthday feel fresh. This production doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to.
Instead, it focuses on delivering the songs people came for, giving the cast room to shine, and reminding audiences why the show has stuck around for so long.
La Voix might get people through the doors, but it’s the strength of the production as a whole that sends them home happy.
A dedicated anime, movie and gaming concert with a live orchestra is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
Calling all self-proclaimed otakus, cinephiles and gamers: a huge concert experience will see dozens of musicians bring classic anime, film and gaming soundtracks and scores to life later this year, right here in Manchester.
The city is no stranger to events celebrating these beloved kinds of media, but you’ll struggle to find another bringing all of them together in one place.
Brought to us Mancs by KIN Music Entertainment, a locally founded arts, events and music label, this celebration of all things pop culture – and specifically, the music tied to it.
Entitled ‘The Kin & Fushigi Anime, Film & Videogame Orchestra’, this passionate collective serves as not only a platform for rising artists but also to hear some iconic sonic moments like never before.
KIN have created a large-scale live concert experience which will bring together a 25-piece pop orchestra made up of emerging professional performers and conservatoire graduates.
Aside from the impressive total of people behind this production to begin with, they also form an immersive hybrid orchestral and live band capable of bringing.
Speaking on the upcoming date, KIN Entertainment said in a statement: “We wanted to create the kind of live experience that many anime and videogame fans in Manchester have been waiting for — something cinematic, emotional and community-driven that brings these sound worlds to life with the energy of both an orchestra and a live band.”
Kin was founded by bassist, composer and ensemble performer Alejandro Urbina Diaz, who first brought his talents and wider interests over from Mexico to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) here in the city centre at the age of 23.
Citing Manchester’s multiculturalism and cosmopolitan cultural fabric as a big part of his inspiration, he and his team have ended up carving out this niche for themselves, and now they’ll be playing this beloved music to Mancs at none other than the O2 Ritz.
Credit: KIN Music Entertainment (supplied via Academy Music Group Digital)
With new arrangements inspired by anime, cinematic and videogame culture, not to mention orchestral and even rock crossover twists – including both vocalist and rhythm sections, by the way – it’s set to be a highly unique experience that most will have never come across before.
This event itself is suitable for audiences aged 14+, although under-16s must be accompanied by an adult, and it’s taking place at the Ritz on Sunday, 26 July.
We’re not going to spoil any more details about the show for you, so which particular pieces of pop culture they reference will just have to be a surprise…
Emily Sergeant -
11th October 2021 
