2013 in the north west in brief

2013 saw the first Manchester Theatre Awards full awards ceremony at Manchester's Opera House since it broke away as an independent organisation after being dropped by the Manchester Evening News after nearly 30 years. It was announced that the 2014 event will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre.

The fourth Manchester International Festival brought arts of all kinds to venues throughout the city, and the 24:7 Theatre Festival reached its tenth event.

A new playwriting MA was announced at University of Salford in partnership with the Octagon, Royal Exchange and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse in which leading playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker will have an important role.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Contact Theatre, Chester Performs and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse were shortlisted for the 2014 Lever Prize, awarded annually to a world-class arts organisation in the north west, by the North West Business Leadership Team.