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Acclaimed Manchester love story, Ridley Road, adapted for BBC TV series

Aggi O'Casey and Tom Varey who lead in gripping new thriller Ridley Road for BBC One.

The Manc The Manc - 23rd September 2020

Critically-acclaimed novel Ridley Road – a love story set in the ‘Swinging Sixties’ – is getting its very own television adaptation for BBC One.

Aggi O’Casey and Tom Varey star in the lead roles, as award-winning writer Sarah Solemani puts Jo Bloom’s popular book on the small screen.

Ridley Road tells the story of a young Jewish woman, Vivien Epstein, who falls in love a member of the 62 Group – a coalition of men who stood up against rising neo-Nazism in post-war Britain.

The series sees Vivien reject her comfortable middle-class life in Manchester and sign up to join the fight against fascism.

As Vivien descends further into the organisation, her courage and loyalties are challenged.

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The Ridley Road series is set to bring together an all-star cast including Rory Kinnear, Tamzin Outhwaite, Tracy-Ann Oberman, Eddie Marsan, Samantha Spiro, Rita Tushingham and Danny Hatchard.

Writer, Sarah Solemani, says: “A young hairdresser from Manchester makes an unlikely hero in this little known slice of British history. But in these unprecedented times, it is the unlikely heroes whose stories are now worth telling.

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“Britain’s relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Fortunately, so too is our rich heritage of beating it. Honoured to bring the story of Ridley Road to the BBC and Masterpiece.”

Ayela Butt, BBC Commissioning Executive, says: “Sarah’s brilliant scripts have drawn together an extraordinary ensemble cast of some the finest actors in the UK and we are delighted to have exciting new talent, Aggi O’Casey, in the lead role.

“We are thrilled to be working with RED to tell this hugely compelling and inspiring story about an ordinary woman risking everything to fight against fascism.”

The Ridley Road premiere date is expected to be announced soon.

What's On

Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.

Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.

With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.

Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.

From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.

As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.

Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.

You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.

Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council

“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.

“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.

“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”

Read more:

Manchester Day is taking over the city centre on Saturday 15 July, and will be kicking off at midday right through to 5pm that same evening.

Featured Image – Manchester City Council

What's On

A popular Manc streetwear brand is hosting a big festival to mark their fifth birthday

Danny Jones Danny Jones CLINTS streetwear festival Manchester info

Popular Manchester streetwear and footwear brand, CLINTS Inc., is hosting its first-ever festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s going to be big.

The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.

Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship CLINTS store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.

As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.

Not to tease you more than the company already has, but as you can see, details are scarce.

There is no lineup or even location for this festival… only a date.

CLINTS Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September – presumably at or around the 21-23 Quay Street site, but who knows?

Fans of the brand can sign up for the mailing list for the latest details, and pre-sale tickets are also available now, with a couple of clicks on the website revealing that the event is set to start at 12 noon and wrap up around 10:30pm.

If you’re interested, you can register your interest HERE.

Credit: The Manc Group

While you can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things CLINTS and streetwear, they’re not the only local indie holding a special one-off this month.

In fact, this weekend, a fellow trainer specialist who is still just starting out life in the fashion game but is already making waves reminiscent of their contemporaries.

Here’s hoping this is just the beginning of the journey and they’re the next Manc brand to become a national success story.

A local indie fashion brand is cleaning tired old trainers while handing out free shoes and ice cream
You’d best be quick if you make the most of this one.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/CLINTS Inc (via Instagram)

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