Manchester Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Antony Simpson is an Author, Blogger, Nurse & Witch.

Wonderful Websites – Gigs, Shows and Theatres

Thursday 28 June 2018 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: < 1 minute

This is the fifth blog post in a series titled Wonderful Websites. The first focused on general health and can be read here. The second focused on mental health and mental illness and can be read here. The third post focused on shopping and can be read here. The fourth focused on money and can be read here.

This post lists wonderful websites for gigs, shows and theatres.

1. See Tickets isn’t as comprehensive as Ticket Master but offers more choice around seating meaning you tend to get better seats.

2. Ticket Master has tickets for gigs, shows and theatres across venues, across the country.

3. Manchester Theatres lists gigs, shows and theatre performances by Greater Manchester venues.

4. Manchester Academy venues (Academy, Academy 2, Academy 3 and Club Academy) often host less well known artists. I love these venues as they are in city centre, are smaller and more intimate.

5. The Lowry (Salford Quays) is a smaller venue that has a good variety of shows and theatre performances.

Are there any gig, shows and theatre websites that you think are useful that aren’t on the list? If so leave a comment below and let me know.

The next post in the Wonderful Websites series will focus on websites for paganism.

Blog soon,

Antony

Book Review: The Radleys by Matt Haig

Wednesday 30 August 2017 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Radleys consisting of husband and wife, Peter and Helen, and their two children Clara and Rowan on the surface appear to be an ordinary middle class family in the village of Bishopthorpe.

But there is some odd things about The Radleys. Like the fact they don’t like sunlight, are all dangerously allergic to garlic and always appear to be unwell.

Then when Clara gets attacked at a party, something inside of her comes alive and she ends up killing a boy.

Life for The Radleys is about to get complicated. The two blood abstainer parents must decide how they feel about abstaining, each other and what to do about the situation that is unfolding before them. They have to deal with Peter’s older brother, Will, who turns up on from Manchester.

Will is a non-abstainer that Peter and Helen haven’t seen for seventeen years and their children have never met.

Helen also has to protect Peter and the children from finding out what went on between her and Will all those years ago.

Clara and Rowan are let in on the family’s secret, must deal with being lied to all their lives and work out how to go forward with this life changing truth.

While all this is going on, the Unnamed Predator Unit, a secret nationwide Unit run by Greater Manchester Police has set its sights on Will and is planning to take him down. They feel that his blood lust is out of control.

The Radleys is imaginative, captivating and addictive. Anyone who likes reading stories about vampires or reading in the fantasy genre will enjoy this book.

Everything about The Radleys is superb. The characters are interesting and pull the reader in. The plot makes the reader like a drug addict, desperate for their next fix. The pacing is quick and chapters are short. The description is brilliant, enabling the reader to imagine everything in perfect detail.

The Radleys is available to buy on Amazon and at all good book shops.

Review soon,

Antony

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The Superb & Sensational Sister Act (The Musical)

Sunday 30 July 2017 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 2 minutes

mum-and-me-at-Sister-Act-The-Musical-July-17 — Me & Mum about to go in for Sister Act (The Musical) .

Yesterday mum and I went to see the superb and sensational Sister Act (The Musical) at Manchester’s Palace Theatre.

We arrived into town early to grab tea. We ate at The Stage Door Bar. The food was good and was reasonably priced. Plus it is next to The Palace Theatre, meaning we didn’t have to walk far for the show.

The show its self is set in the late 1970s, with a younger Deloris Van Cartier, but the plot is essentially the same. Deloris Van Cartier was played by the fabulous Alexandra Burke.

The music was catchy with Take Me To Heaven and Fabulous, Baby! standing out. As well as the music, there was plenty of comedy. The choreography was favourable, only limited by the costumes and roles of the cast. The set was pretty stationary, but appropriately so.

stage-Sister-Act-The-Musical-July-17 — Sister Act (The Musical) Stage. No photos were allowed during the performance.

Overall the show was superb and sensational and enjoyed by all. If you enjoyed the film Sister Act and you get the opportunity, you should definitely go see Sister Act The Musical.

Write soon,

Antony

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The Cure Live in Manchester: Just one word – Phenomenal

Wednesday 30 November 2016 / Antony Simpson / Leave a Comment

Reading Time: 3 minutes

My friend Simon and I went to see The Cure at Manchester Arena yesterday. I have just one word to describe the event and that is: phenomenal. It’s without any doubt the best gig I’ve been to in years.

The music was spot-on and was performed perfectly from the first note to the very last. The vocals were incredible, it was like listening to an enhanced version of an album. The three rows of lights gave an impressive accompanying light show.

Here are some photos, click on any photo for full size image:

the-cure-manchester-2016-0 — The Cure (1) – opening song.

the-cure-manchester-2016-1 — The Cure (2).

the-cure-manchester-2016-2 — The Cure (3).

the-cure-manchester-2016-3 — The Cure (4) – The music was spot-on and was performed perfectly from the first note to the very last.

the-cure-manchester-2016-4 — The Cure (5) – Vocals were awesome, it was like listening to an enhanced version of an album.

the-cure-manchester-2016-5 — The Cure (6).

the-cure-manchester-2016-6 — The Cure (7) – The setlist included my favourite song ‘Lovesong.’

the-cure-manchester-2016-7 — The Cure (8) – The setlist also included ‘Friday I’m in Love’ and ‘Boys Don’t Cry.’

the-cure-manchester-2016-8 — The Cure (9) – The finale was ‘Why Can’t I Be You?’

Prior to going to the gig, Simon and I had a lovely tea in Via Fossa on Canal Street, Manchester (gay village). Then we walked down to the arena.

Along the crowded walkways on the frosty winter evening, I counted at least 12 homeless people. This is the most homeless people I’ve ever seen on any of my many visits to Manchester. It’s crazy to think that in 2016 people are still becoming and/or living homelessly.

Driving home after the gig, the temperature dropped to -2°C and I thought of the homeless people I had seen earlier. In my thoughts I wished them a safe evening, prayed that the temperature didn’t drop any further and prayed that it was quick to rise again.

Write soon,

Antony

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