Some of the UK’s “most exciting” comedians are bringing their shows to a new mini comedy festival in Manchester city centre this summer.
Taking over Manchester’s home of cult cinema, video games, and “cool nerdy events”, Cultplex – which is tucked away within the award-winning venue GRUB in Cheetham Hill – for one-day only next month, A Lovely Day is a brand-new mini comedy festival that’s set to bring all the laughs.
A handful of the funniest and upcoming names on the comedy circuit will take to the stage to perform their new work-in-progress shows.
The new festival is the brainchild of Manchester’s hotly-tipped comedy production power couple, John Stansfield and Chris Cantrill – who together created A Lovely Time, which brings tour shows to audiences right here in Manchester, and is known and loved for developing a range of unique comedy concepts.
Those making their way down to GRUB on Saturday 3 June will be able to see new shows from Spencer Jones (Upstart Crow), Rachel Fairburn (All Killa No Filla), and Vittorio Angelone (Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee).
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William Stone (Moth Club), and Erika Ehler (Comedians Giving Lectures) are some of the other exciting names on the lineup.
“We’re so thrilled to be launching Manchester’s first day-long comedy festival bringing together our favourite comics,” said organiser Chris Cantrill.
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“It’s a unique opportunity for comedy fans, rarely seen outside the capital.”
Spencer Jones & Rachel Fairburn are two comedians set to take to the stage in Manchester next month / Credit: Spencer Jones (via Instagram) | Kayla Wren Photography (via Instagram – @rachelfairburn)
Organisers hope A Lovely Day will provide Mancs with an alternative to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
As the world’s largest performance arts festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is enduringly popular and is known to take over the Scottish capital city for a month of eclectic shows every August – but as the years go on, the event is becoming increasingly more expensive, which sadly means many comedy fans miss out on the action due to finances.
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“Edinburgh is getting quite expensive for outside punters, so we thought we’d bring some of our favourites to Manchester so we can all have a lovely day without having to pay through the nose for accommodation,” organiser John Stansfield added.
Cultplex at GRUB / Credit: GRUB MCR
A Lovely Day is taking over Cultplex at GRUB from 1pm onwards on Saturday 3 June, and tickets are now available to get your hands on – with individual shows priced from £6.
You can also buy a day pass for £20, which gets you into all five shows on the day.
New Haçienda book to be launched with event featuring all-star guest speaker lineup
Thomas Melia
A launch party is taking place for an exciting new collaborative book about an iconic Manchester nightclub venue.
New Century Hall is going to be hosting a one-of-a-kind event for a book written exclusively about Manchester’s clubbing epicentre, The Haçienda.
This new publication by Rebecca Hook will explain what the atmosphere of the famous nightclub was like from the perspective of everyone who was there at the time.
From performers and staff, to clubgoers themselves, The Haçienda: Threads features excerpts from well-known musicians like Happy Mondays’ Bez, and The Stone Roses’Mani, as well as a foreword from New Order bassist, Peter Hook.
In its heyday, the legendary nightclub – which was founded Factory Records’ Tony Wilson, music manager Rob Gretton, and new-wave band New Order – saw performances from a long list of music giants, as well as being the venue for Madonna’s first UK performance, and three-time performers, Manchester band The Smiths.
A new Haçienda book will be launched with an event featuring an all-star guest speaker lineup / Credit: Supplied
The Haçienda also became a pioneer with the growth of the ‘Madchester‘ movement, thanks to its Ibiza Nights which ran in the late 80s.
Oasis played this revolutionary venue in 1984 to celebrate the release of their debut album Definitely Maybe – with Noel Gallagher becoming a frequent visitor to the club when he wasn’t performing, hence why he’s set to be one of the guest speakers at the book launch event next month.
The launch party is taking place on Wednesday 9 October, and has an exciting timetable planned for the evening once doors open at 6pm.
Programming for the night includes welcome cocktails upon entry, an ‘In Conversation’ segment, a book signing, and then it’s all up to the DJ’s to soundtrack the rest of your night from 9pm until closing.
Throughout the night, there will be guest speakers reminiscing the legacy of The Haçienda – with the likes of Graeme Park, Peter Hook, Mani, Greg Wilson, as well as Noel.
If you want to relive the good old days of the legendary nightclub, you can get your hands on tickets to the launch event here.
The Book of Mormon to offer lucky Manchester theatregoers £15 tickets on the day
Thomas Melia
Lucky Manchester theatregoers will get to experience the Elders in all their glory for a fraction of the normal ticket price.
Manchester Palace Theatre is known for its incredible productions and musicals, and The Book of Mormon will be gracing the stage once again from today (11 September).
As the hit religious-themed comedy musical returns to Manchester for an extended stay, Manchester Palace Theatre has decided to release 15 tickets a day, every day that the show is running, for the impressive price of only £15 each.
The Book of Mormon – which saw its Manchester debut in June 2019 – is a one-of-a-kind stage show, having won nine Tony Awards, including one for ‘Best Musical’ in 2011.
The Book of Mormon to offer lucky Manchester theatregoers £15 tickets on the day / Credit: Paul Coltas (via Supplied)
If you’re not too sure what the show is based on, it’s a comedy musical following the lives of two Mormon missionaries who travel all the way to Africa to try and spread the world of their religion.
The show itself was even written by the creators of American animated TV comedy show, South Park, so you can expect laughs all around in the audience.
Eager theatre fans who want to get their hands on these discounted tickets will have to log onto ticket company, ATG Tickets, website on the day of the performance to be in with a chance.
DING DONG MANCHESTER! £15 DAY SEATS! 🔔
15 tickets for each performance will be made available at £15 each, from 12pm the day of the performance! 🤩🙌
Discounted tickets will go live from 12pm each day the show runs, but if you miss out, you can still get your hands on last-minute tickets for the general sale prices here.
Emily Sergeant -
12th May 2023 
