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2 December 2014

Polly Checkland Harding

Introducing our Advent Calendar – here’s the second post in a cultural countdown to Christmas. Today: theatre and big hands.

Tonight it’s White Rabbit, Red Rabbit at Contact, a play with no director, no set and a different actor for each performance, written by man trapped in his own country. Denied passage for refusing military service in Iran, Nassim Soleimanpour came up with an original concept that has since been guest performed by Juliet Stevenson, Tamsin Greig and Mark Watson. Tonight, actress Shobna Gulati takes to the stage (and tomorrow it’s the turn of John Thomson). Tonight, 7.30pm, £9/£5 conc.

Do more. If you’re after a pre or post theatre drink, Big Hands is just around the corner. Haunt of Guy Garvey and bands fresh from the Academy 1 stage, Big Hands is dark, noisy and a bit of a dive – which is exactly why we like it.

Destination Guides

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Mother's Day in Manchester and the North

From bespoke bouquet workshops and poetry royalty to slap-up Sunday roasts and gin tastings, check out our guide of things to do with your mum this Mother's Day.

Take me there

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.