Quays Life A lifestyle webzine based-in Salford Quays

Ed McVey (centre) as Tom Ripley & the cast in THE TALENTED MR RIPLEY, credit Mark Senio

Reviews Theatre

The Talented Mr Ripley: Review

It’s debatable whether the world needs another Tom Ripley adaptation. The part of the amoral, art loving con man and psychopath has been played by several respected actors including Alain Delon...

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Susanna by Handel. An Opera North production in partnership with Phoenix Dance Theatre.Photo by Tristram Kenton

Opera Reviews

Opera North: Susanna – Review

Susanna marks the fourth collaboration between Leeds based Opera North and Phoenix Dance Theatre. It is a combination of art forms that still feels experimental yet is clearly emerging into something...

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MISS SAIGON. Julianne Pundan (Kim), Mikko Juan (Thuy). Photo Danny Kaan.

Reviews Theatre

Miss Saigon: Review

Tickets for the upcoming run of Miss Saigon at the Palace Theatre, Manchester (4-8 August 2026) went on sale today, Friday 14 November 2025, following the stunning success of the current...

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Opera Reviews

Opera North La Boheme: Review

Just before the curtain goes up on this latest revival of Phyllida Lloyd’s 1993 production of Puccini’s La Bohème, Howard steps forward to remind us what a marvellous gift to the region Opera North...

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Reviews

Em Prendergast and Zoe McWhinney in Barrier(s) - credit Becky Bailey Photography

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Reviews Theatre

Barrier(s): Review

Leslie James KerwinAdd comment

A great joy of theatre is allowing us to step into different worlds. Deafinitely Theatre is the first professional deaf-launched and led theatre company in the UK and its new production of Eloise Pennycott’s award-winning play, presents an...

Breaking the Code – Mark Edel-Hunt and Peter Hamilton Dyer – photo by Manuel Harlan

Reviews Theatre

Breaking the Code: Review

Dave Porter

Dance Reviews

Hofesh Shechter – Theatre of Dreams: Review

Martin Thomasson

To do & see

Dog's Life Travel

Life as a well-travelled pooch

Lorraine Worsley-Carter

Take a stroll down any high street in the UK or across Europe, and it’s clear that the pet dog population has boomed since the pandemic. With more people welcoming a furry friend into the family, holidays are starting to look a little different...

To do & see Travel

The only swing bridge aqueduct in the world

Lorraine Worsley-Carter

Lorraine Worsley-Carter stumbles upon a unique wonder of the canal age in Salford After taking a short cut to our favourite Trafford DIY store, our sat-nav suggested a route which took us over an old bridge which we had not traversed before...

Bryher, Isles of Scilly, All Saints, United Kingdom Photo by Annie Sprat on Unsplash

Travel

4 hidden gems in the UK to escape the crowd

Sarah Antonie

England is one of the most travelled countries in the world. But while millions of tourists visit Manchester and London every year fewer venture off the tourist path to discover England’s hidden gems. There is a lot to see and do, from a...

Travel

Ideas for a perfect foodie break on England’s Seafood Coast

Carmel Thomason

Savouring new foods is one of the great joys of travelling. But staying local doesn’t mean missing out on discovering new culinary delights. Although England is famous for its traditional fish and chips, a UK coastal break provides the perfect...

People

Matthew Bourne's The Red Shoes Credit: Johan Persson

People To do & see

Sir Matthew Bourne on the challenges of bringing The Red Shoes to the stage

Carmel Thomason

Double Olivier award-winning ballet The Red Shoes returns to Lowry, Salford on its 10th anniversary tour, which includes 11 of the original cast. The fairytale show, which tells of one girl’s dream to be the greatest dancer in the world, is...

People To do & see

How PhD research is influencing Contact’s festive panto

Thomas Corner

After a two year break, pantomime is back at Contact, Manchester with a fun-packed production of Rumpelstiltskin from The Big Tiny Company that is reinventing the genre. The Big Tiny’s unique approach to pantomime is guided by co-director Ben...