/SEVEN DAYS

TODAY (Friday) Theatre / Grease – The Musical It may not be a summer night, but Manchester is ready and raring for some Greased Lightnin’ – thanks to this sparkling new production of the iconic musical. Tom Parker (of boyband The Wanted) makes his musical theatre debut playing the role of bad boy Danny Zuko, alongside Danielle Hope (winner of Over The Rainbow) as Sandy.

Palace Theatre / atgtickets.com / 0844 847 2275 / Friday, March 10 to Saturday, March 25 / £15–£50.50 Theatre / The Suppliant Woman One of the world’s oldest plays, The Suppliant Women by ancient Greek tragedian Aeschylus, has been wonderfully re-imagined by awardwinning playwright David Greig. Critically acclaimed upon its Edinburgh premiere last year, this current Manchester run will feature a strong local connection: the production will include a 40-strong Greek chorus, comprising volunteers from across Greater Manchester.

Royal Exchange Theatre / royalexchange.co.uk / 0161 833 9833 / Friday, March 10 to Saturday, April 1 / £16.50 Clubbing / Cult The party turns two this month and to celebrate, they’re flying in Jack J and Liam Butler, aka the Pender Street Steppers, for a headline set. Also featuring are J Derecho, Josh de Silva, Mercutio and loads more.

Versions (downstairs in Joshua Brooks) / joshuabrooks.co.uk / 0161 273 7336 / Friday, March 10, 10pm to 4am / £10 TOMORROW (Saturday) Music / James Arthur Hands up all those who really thought James Arthur would make such a triumphant comeback? Written off by many – after various tabloid controversies and the loss of his record contract – the 2012 X Factor winner bounced back in style last year, scoring both a No. 1 album and single. Let’s just hope this doesn’t inspire a Steve Brookstein comeback.

O2 Apollo / o2apollomanchester. co.uk / 0844 477 7677 / Saturday, March 11, 7pm / £34.16 to £40.32 Visual arts / MESH The UK’s first national exhibition of three-dimensional, printed Fine Art sculpture is arriving in Oldham, showcasing dazzling new pieces from artists including Keith Brown, Annie Cattrell, Bruce Gernand, Jon Isherwood and Sumit Sarkar.

Gallery Oldham / galleryoldham.org. uk / 0161 770 4653 / Starts Saturday, March 11, runs until June 3 / Free Visual arts / Marvin Gaye Chetwynd – Dogsy Ma Bone Originally commissioned for the Liverpool Biennial 2016, artist Marvin Gaye Chetwynd’s hugely popular canine performance – inspired by those unlikely bedfellows, Bertolt Brecht and Betty Boop (!) – is heading out on tour, including a lengthy run at Touchstones Rochdale.

Touchstones Rochdale / link4life. org/touchstones / 01706 924492 / Starts Saturday March 11, runs until July 8 / Free Film screening / Girl Gang Manchester #2: Bridesmaids After the rip-roaring success of their first event, Manchester’s Girl Gang crew are back with an immersive screening of hit comedy Bridesmaids, accompanied by a jam-packed programme of workshops, activities and – the best bit – a post-screening wedding disco.

53Two / 53two.com / 07821 452 473 / Saturday, March 11, 5pm-midnight / £15 Classical / The Halle The Halle’s Elgar mini-festival, led by Sir Mark Elder, concludes with two fabulous concerts this weekend. The first, on Saturday, is a celebration of his wonderful Enigma Variations; followed by Sunday’s performance of the Dream of Gerontius with a stellar cast of vocal talent including David Butt Philip (tenor), Sasha Cooke (mezzo-soprano) and Iain Paterson (bass-baritone).

Bridgewater Hall / bridgewaterhall.co.uk / 0161 907 9000 / Saturday, March 11 and Sunday, March 12 / Tickets from £13 Clubbing / Project 13 What could be better than partying at one of town’s best venues? Doing so to a soundtrack of house, techno and electronica provided by the likes of Joy Orbison, Evan Baggs, Peder Mannerfelt (playing live), Herron and Conor Thomas, obviously. Hidden / hidden.club / Saturday, March 11, 10pm to 4am / £18 Clubbing / The Nest For the third episode of their house and minimal techno party, the organisers have lined up a brilliant bill comprising Jack Whickham, Joseph Williams, Ethan McNamara. Oh, and there’s a free pre-party at Eastern Bloc beforehand.

Aatma / aatma.zone / Saturday, March 11, 11pm to 4am / £8/£10 SUNDAY Comedy / Sophie Willan As part of this month’s SICK! Festival, Bolton funny lady Sophie Willan is treating us to her critically acclaimed debut show On Record – a moving, uncompromising and extremely funny journey through her unconventional childhood and adolescence.

The Lowry / thelowry.com / 0843 208 6000 / Sunday, March 12, 8pm / £14.50-£16.50 Music / Laura Marling Brandishing her wonderful new album, Semper Femina (for all you non-Latin speakers, it means “always a woman”), acclaimed Brit folk songstress Laura Marling returns to showcase her songs of poetic wisdom and twisted romance.

Albert Hall / alberthallmanchester. com / 0161 817 3490 / Sunday, March 12, 7pm / £21.50 Kids & Family / The Sooty Show Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Rejoice as everyone’s favourite yellow puppet bear returns to the Lowry in this fabulous new family show. His rather more garrulous pals Sweep, Soo and real man Richard Cadell will also be on, ahem, hand to join in with the