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Edmund the Learned Pig at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Susie Stubbs

A wondrous and darkly pleasant musical tale of a pig who taught himself to read – world premiere.

Bonaparte’s travelling circus show and marvellous menagerie was on its uppers. It had a zoo with just pigeons, an aerialist who wouldn’t leave the ground, a chipped plate-spinning act and a Mr. Memory who could hardly remember his own name. Not surprisingly, no one was coming. Then into their lives came Edmund the Learned Pig… This rip snorter of a tale is based on an unpublished poem by Edward Gorey. With music by Martyn Jaques (of cult British music trio, The Tiger Lillies), it fuses British Sign Language, puppetry, magic and music for everyone aged 8 and over. Royal Exchange Theatre, The Studio, St. Ann’s Square, M2 7DH, daily (times vary), all weekend (9-26 Oct), £12/£10 (under 13s £5).

Destination Guides

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Culture Guides

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Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.