Mancs will soon be able to run around a life-size Pac-Man maze in a brand new augmented reality experience heading to Manchester soon.
The new Pac-Man Live Experience will come from the same teams behind the smash-hit The Crystal Maze Live, and the popular attraction Chaos Karts, which will close to make room for the new addition.
Based on the iconic video game, the experience will be real life, playable Pac-Man on an epic scale.
Players will step into the role of Pac-People and will navigate through immersive mazes, collecting power pellets and fruit and dodging ghosts as they go.
Whoever can collect the most points will be declared victor.
ADVERTISEMENT
The experience uses cutting-edge augmented reality technology to bring classic Pac-Man characters and elements into the real-world environment.
There’ll be multiple mazes and up to 12 different levels to explore, including a new bonus game, with these dynamic playgrounds filled with challenges and surprises.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’ll be accessible for all guests and have an age range between eight and 80.
Little Lion Entertainment has recently acquired The Games Arenas, spaces where exciting and interactive worlds (such as the current Chaos Karts world) can be created.
Up next at the Manchester site, down near the Science and Industry Museum, will be The Pac-Man Live Experience, based on the iconic video game.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’ll be a chance to chomp your way around a maze, Pac-Man style, like never before.
Chaos Karts will close to make room for the Pac-Man Live Experience in ManchesterChaos Karts will close to make room for the Pac-Man Live Experience in Manchester
The new playable live experience is a collaboration with Bandai Namco Entertainment, the leading global video game publisher behind iconic franchises such as PAC-MAN, TEKKEN, and ELDEN RING.
Tom Lionetti-Maguire, CEO of Little Lion Entertainment, said: “We are ecstatic to collaborate with Bandai Namco Entertainment, the pioneers of one of the most beloved video games in history.
“Their expertise and collaboration in our creative vision have been invaluable in ensuring that our live experience remains authentic to the original game while offering a fresh and thrilling twist in bringing this into a fully playable 360-degree digital world.”
Aadil Tayouga, Licensing & Business Strategy Director at Bandai Namco Europe, said: “This new experience perfectly aligns with PAC-MAN, offering something fun and entertaining that appeals to both children and adults.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We can’t wait for people to discover this innovative and truly unique experience created by our partner at Little Lion Entertainment, bringing PAC-MAN to a whole new field while staying true to the franchise’s values.”
An official launch date for the Pac-Man Live Experience in Manchester hasn’t yet been announced.
An outdoor cinema is screening a Wicked sing-a-long this autumn
Thomas Melia
There’s an outdoor cinema screening a sing-along version of the global phenomenon Wicked later this year near just outside of Greater Manchester.
Arley Hall, in Cheshire, is hosting a very special screening of one of the biggest films of 2024, Wicked, where guests will be allowed to sing along during the film.
This one-off event will come as a relief to some fans of the movie-musical, as back when it was released, one attending was encouraged not to sing along as it may disrupt the film itself.
With a musical stacked with hits like ‘Popular’, ‘Dancing Through Life’ and obviously the huge number that is ‘Defying Gravity’, how could you not take a moment to test out the vocal cords?
Maybe we’ll see some mini Elphabas and Glindas showing up at the Wicked sing-a-long, Arley Hall.Sit back, relax, and defy some gravity.
Now, Arley Hall has teamed up with events and entertainment company Adventure Cinema for an outdoor experience that promises to be a fantastic, family-friendly day out watching Elphaba and Glinda on the big screen.
There are various ticket options available for this Wicked sing-along showing, which are all priced under a reasonable £30 range.
The standard ticket, which requires you to bring your own camping chair or blanket, is only £17.37, while the premium ticket (including a premium deck chair and prime position) costs £25.21.
Throughout the weekend, Adventure Cinema are making themselves comfy in Arley Hall‘s grounds, as they are set to play some huge movie titles and host even more wonderful events.
For instance, there will be an ‘Outdoor Cinema ExtrABBAganza’ courtesy of Mamma Mia!, a double-whammy thanks to ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Stick Man’ playing back to back as well as ‘Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ too.
There’s an ExtrABBAganza coming to Arley Hall the same weekend.Just you, your blanket and a crowd of Wicked fans ready to sing their hearts out.
While we wait eagerly for the second part of the Wickedmovie-musicaladaptation, why not let yourself loose and see if you can out-sing the witches of Oz – Think I’ll leave the singing to Cynthia and Ariana.
The movie-musical became one of the backbones of pop culture in 2024, generating various quoted phrases and viral moments, including the unforgettable ‘Holding Space’ meme alongside many others.
Anyone looking to attend the Wicked sing-along at Arley Hall on Friday, 19 September from 6pm to 10:15pm can find all ticket prices and more information HERE.
All the free things you can get with a Great Manchester Run finisher’s medal this year
Danny Jones
What’s the best part about doing the Great Manchester Run, we hear you ask? All the freebies, of course. You’ll be glad to hear there are more free things than ever for finishers this year.
More than 35,000 runners are set to take on the challenge, be it the half marathon or the 10k, and we firmly believe every single one of these legends should be entitled to as much free stuff as possible.
If it were up to us, they wouldn’t pay for anything all day, but hey, we make don’t make the rules.
So yeah, without further ado, here are all the freebies you can get for taking part in the Great Manchester 2025.
Free stuff and offers for Great Manchester Runners to cop in 2025
Without further ado, here are a tonne of freebies, discounts and deals you can grab by simply flashing your finisher’s medals:
Credit: The Manc/Supplied
Dishoom –Complimentary 330ml Kingfisher/Kingfisher Zero (0.0%) for anyone with anyone dining with a finisher’s medal.
Blacklock –Free glass of fizz on us with your medal.
Maray – Free glass of fizz/pint (or non-alcoholic beer/soft) for anyone with a medal who is dining on Sunday
Electric Shuffle – Free house wine, prosecco or pint for anyone with a 2025 medal.
Salon Madre – 2-4-1 margaritas all day Sunday for anyone with a race medal.
Suki Suki – Free bao bun for anyone with a medal.
Refuge/Kimpton Clocktower Hotel – 100 free pints of Manchester Union Beer (first come, first served)
Hello Oriental – Discounted soft serve ice cream, plus a free beer or soft drink with any meal for all finishers
The Shack – Flash your medal to claim a free glass of Prosecco or beer, plus parties with medals get 20% off their food bill.
Dough Religion (House of Social) – half price slice at Manchester Jazz Festival on Sunday
Daisy Jackson -
1st October 2024 
