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The Herds

Assembling ‘The Herds’

A reviewer goes backstage to see the work involved in building the puppets for The Herds, a major theatrical event galloping into Manchester.
ACE

ACE Fights Back

As it faces an existential government review, Arts Council England promotes the benefits of "Crowding In".
LOWRY 360

Step into a Lowry

Events celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lowry begin with LOWRY 360—an immersive display of L S Lowry’s Going to the Match.
Oldham Coliseum

ACE blames press for its failings

Arts Council England CEO Darren Henley has launched an attack on the London-centric media rather than accepting responsibility for funding problems.
Olivier Award

Simply the Best(s)

With yet another set announced this week, Philip Fisher wonders whether so many awards are devaluing the best.
The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals

"The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals 2025" arrives on television

The broadcast date for the BBC’s transmission of The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals has been announced.
John McGrath, MIF Chief Executive and Artistic Director, presenting the 2025 programme

Dream Differently with MIF

The programme for the 2025 Manchester International Festival is launched.
Artist's impression of ‘HOME Arches’

Underneath the Arches

A reviewer visits ‘HOME Arches’—a £3.5m project to support artists across a variety of disciplines in Greater Manchester based at HOME, Manchester—and comes fourth in a quiz.
Julie Hesmondhalgh announcing the reopening of Oldham Coliseum outside the theatre

Manchester theatre in 2024

David Chadderton looks back on some of the goings-on in the Manchester theatre scene over the year.
Gerard McCabe and Shaun Blaney in Octagon Theatre Bolton, Barn Theatre & Wiltshire Creative's Stones in his Pockets

Our reviewers' picks of 2024

Some of BTG's regular reviewers pick out their favourite theatre productions and moments of the year.
The English National Opera

Manchester, so much to answer for

The lengthy saga of English National Opera transferring from London to Manchester reaches an end with the launch of a transformative cultural partnership between the ENO and the city region.
Lisa Nandy official portrait

The Culture Secretary speaks—can Lisa Nandy save the arts?

Lisa Nandy offers hope, but what about funding?
Tom Holland and Francesca Amewudah-Rivers in Romeo and Juliet

On Cyber Bullying, Cancel Culture and Censorship

Cancel culture is becoming worryingly prevalent in and around the theatre.
Oasis

Dynamic pricing surge threatens to flood Oasis

Before they have even re-formed, Oasis have hit the headlines for the wrong reasons. Dynamic theatre pricing is already a concern, so Lisa Nandy's interest may be good news.
Brunton Theatre

Collapsing Theatres

For a few days last year, the plight of theatres blighted by RAAC made headline news. The story may have gone away, but the problem hasn't.

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