From the Asia Triennial to Bee in the City’s farewell and Lemons Lemons Lemons - here's our top picks for October
Looking for great things to do this October? Then check out our Essential Guide to 2018 - this month ft. Manchester Literature Festival, Manchester Art Fair and more... in the meantime here's fifteen more.
TO STOP HER MOUTH | Lyme Hall | 16 September – Sunday 4 November
This temporary installation, at Disley’s magnificent Lyme Hall, explores one of the greatest scandals of the early 1800s: the abduction of wealthy heiress Ellen Turner by a fortune hunter. The audio tour follows her journey from Liverpool to Calais via Manchester, Carlisle and Gretna Green, finishing up in the ‘courtroom’ where her marriage was annulled. Lyme Hall, Disley, Stockport, SK12 2NR (Fri-Tues 11am-5pm, last entry 4pm; no extra charge, usual house admission).
LOST DOG’S JULIET & ROMEO | The Lowry | Tuesday 2 October
This ‘searingly witty’ take on Shakespeare’s famous love story sees the ‘star cross’d lovers’ well into middle age and on the therapist’s couch trying to rediscover their passion. A quirky exploration of youth - and how it creates unrealistic expectations around love, sex and relationships - it’s garnered rave reviews across the board. The Lowry, Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ (8pm; tickets from £15 at thelowry.com)
DISHOOM | Oldham Coliseum | 2-13 October
Featuring songs from the smash hit Bollywood film Sholay, this world premiere production of comedy drama Dishoom! follows Simon and his cousin Baljit as they find their inner superheroes amidst family dysfunctional families, disability and the tyranny of the National Front. Oldham Coliseum, Fairbottom Street, Oldham, OL1 3SW (2.30pm & 7.30pm; tickets from £17 at coliseum.org.uk)
MANCHESTER PODCAST FESTIVAL | Citywide | 4-7 October
Manchester’s first ever podcast festival comes courtesy of comedy buff Michael Chapman and Emma Zillmann, who programmes the likes of Bluedot. So perhaps it’s little surprise that the inaugural line-up is pretty impressive, spanning podcast premieres to familiar names like Russell Kane and ‘the guilty feminist’. Various; check the website
WILD STRINGS | RNCM & Band on the Wall | 5-7 October
Fancy something a little different? Well you’d struggle to beat a jazz and pop harp festival. Another festival first, Wild Strings aims to shatter the notion of the harp as an ‘inaccessible’ classical instrument and demonstrate its versatility with a weekend of affordable jams, concerts and workshops - featuring some of the UK’s leading harpists. Various; check the website
ASIA TRIENNIAL | Citywide | 5-21 October
Exploring Asian identities through a diverse programme of free performances and special events by contemporary visual artists, this is Europe’s event of its kind. Highlights include SUBI, a Korean ceramics exhibition at Castlefield Gallery; the opening night at HOME; and Persian miniature painting at Alexandria Library. Various; free
MANIFESTO | Rogue | 5 October - 21 December
Rogue Artists' Studios officially re-opens to the public this October, after relocating to Openshaw due to property development at its former home Crusader Mill. Now based at the former Varna school, Rogue is home to more than 80 artists and collectives, and will be curating Manifesto in association with Manifest Arts. Rogue Artists’ Studios CIC, 2-6 Barrass Street, Openshaw, M11 1PU (various times; free)
FAST ANCHOR FILM FESTIVAL | The Savoy | Saturday 6 October
Fast Anchor Film Festival (amusingly abbreviated as FAFF) was set up in early 2016 to celebrate independent filmmaking from across the UK and internationally via three main awards - best short film, best Manchester film and best young filmmaker. For film buffs, it’s a rare opportunity to preview up-and-coming talent. The Savoy Cinema, 105 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4HY
DREAM MAKERS BALL | Radisson Blu Edwardian | Saturday 6 October
Hosted by ITV’s Emma Jesson, this charity ball promises live music, three-course dinner, auctions and fizz aplenty. What’s more, proceeds go to Gift of a Wedding: a charity that provides free weddings to people with a terminal illness. It’s held in the Radisson Blu Edwardian, site of the former Free Trade Hall. Radisson Blu Edwardian, Peter street, M2 5GP (6.30pm; tickets £37.50 at thelittleboxoffice.com/giftofawedding)
EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED AND WOULD HAPPEN | Mayfield Depot | 10-21 October
Created by singular German artist and composer Heiner Goebbels, this Artangel co-commission receives its world premiere in Manchester as part of 14-18 NOW’s WW1 centenary programme. Bringing a 20-strong cast to Mayfield Depot, it explores an unsettled post-war Europe through live music, video and large-scale scenic installations. Mayfield Train Station, Baring Street, M1 2AD (6.30pm; tickets from £10 at mif.co.uk)
ROOM 103: A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE ORWELL | Saul Hay Gallery | 11 October - 11 November
Artists explore Orwellian themes like surveillance, state repression and freedom of expression in this visual tribute to dystopian writer George Orwell: whose literary legacy lives on in classics like Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four. Video, painting and sculpture are all represented; with contributions spanning the US to Catalonia. Saul Hay Gallery, Railway Cottage (behind Bass Warehouse), Castle Street, M3 4LZ (Wed-Sun 10.30am-6.30pm; free)
BEE IN THE CITY FAREWELL WEEKEND | HSBC UK National Cycling Centre | 12-14 October
Bee in the City fans will want to make a bee-line for this event, which sees all 101 sculptures come together under one roof before being auctioned off for charity. There'll also be free face painting, live family entertainment and food stalls, as well as chance to meet some of the artists. More info here. HSBC UK National Cycling Centre, Stuart Street, M11 4DQ (various times; tickets £6 at eventbrite.co.uk)
LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS LEMONS | King's Arms | 17-20 October
The newly formed Citrus Theatre Productions take over The Kings Arms Salford from the 17-20th October to perform Sam Steiners’ Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons – a witty play exploring love, free speech and democracy as a draconian new law enforced by the government limits people to speak just 140 words a day. Starring Sean Luttman and Lucy Dixon. The Kings Arms Salford, Bloom St, Salford M3 6AN. Tickets from £8 available here.
WELCOME TO MY WORLD: NOEL FITZPATRICK | Manchester Arena | Sunday 21 October
Star of the Supervet, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick is a true revolutionary - pioneering veterinary techniques that wouldn’t seem out of place in the pages of Frankenstein. On his first ever live show, he’ll use the latest in creative technology, illustrated with spectacular music and visuals, to showcase the methods behind the madness. Manchester Arena, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (7.30pm; tickets from £25.20 at eventim.co.uk)
ORBIT FESTIVAL | HOME | 23 October - 3 November
HOME’s annual festival brings together innovative new work from theatre makers across the globe. This year’s theme explores how we face the world, our relationship with the past, how we remember, the stories we tell ourselves and what it is that makes us who we are today. HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, M15 4FN (various; check the website)
