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11 Fascinating Facts About Elf

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Ask anyone about their favourite Christmas activities and it’s pretty likely that  Elf  will be mentioned somewhere. For many, the holiday season simply isn’t complete without a viewing (or several viewings) of the beloved 2003 comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zooey Deschanel. This year, the heartwarming story of Buddy the Elf’s quest to find out his true identity hits the stage as a  spectacular live musical production . To get you in the mood for this ultimate festive treat, here’s 11 fascinating facts about  Elf .  The twin boys who were cast to play Buddy as a baby were fired by director Jon Favreau. Whilst the twins looked very cute with their blonde curly hair, it transpired that they were a little too young for show-business and cried uncontrollably instead of crawling and smiling. Eventually, Favreau was forced to bring in triplet girls who were more comfortable in front of the cameras. Part of the film was shot at a location called Riverview Hospital, an abandoned ment
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The Best Things To Do in Manchester This Weekend

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As if by magic, the weekend is here again - and the weather forecast isn't too bad! As ever, Quaytickets has plenty going on in and around Manchester. We've picked some of our favourites below. The Festival Continues...  Manchester International Festival 2017 has been a huge hit with all manner of events ranging from special operas for babies to sell-out gigs from massive bands including Arcade Fire and New Order. There's still a great deal left to go as MIF enters it's second weekend. What if Women Ruled the World?  (8pm Friday and Saturday) imagines a future which sees women in charge of a world in desperate need of a new vision. Each night, a professional cast will be joined on stage by a different group of female experts: scientists, politicians, activists and thinkers of global reputation.   Party Skills for the End of the World  (Friday 7.30pm; Saturday 2.30pm and 7.30pm; Sunday 2.30pm) aims to teach you how to survive the when the end finally comes -
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HOME1947

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The 1947 partition of British India, creating the two new independent states of India and Pakistan, displaced somewhere between 10 and 12 million people along religious lines. A division was made by a newly-drawn border known as the Radcliffe Line with the Muslim population travelling across in one direction and the Hindu and Sikh populations moving in the other. The accompanying outburst of sectarian and sexual violence, along with looting, murder and general destruction, killed an estimated two million people and plagues diplomatic and social relationships between India and Pakistan to this day. There is no doubt that the theme of HOME 1947, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy's unique and fascinating new exhibition, is highly relevant for 2017's Manchester International Festival. This July marks exactly 70 years since the passing of the Indian Independence Act and, all too tragically, another refugee crisis is affecting millions in today's turbulent world.  HOME 1947 adopts
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Five Easy Cocktails to Make at Home from Pier Eight

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Our friends at Pier Eight are passionate about cocktails and, luckily for us, are keen to share their expertise. Below is Pier Eight's guide to five easy cocktails to make at home - what more could you need for that perfect weekend tipple! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everybody loves a party, and if you’re having guests round what could be better than a welcome cocktail or something to finish off the night. Below are 5 easy cocktails to show off your hosting skills! Kir Royal This is the perfect arrival drink, a classic French Kir Royale adds a touch of sophistication to any gathering. Pour 25ml of Crème De Cassis in to the bottom of each champagne flute and top up with champagne or prosecco. Garnish with a raspberry! Martini Not for the faint hearted, this definitive pre-dinner cocktail has been popular since the 1880’s. Use a London Dry Gin like Sipsmith or William’s GB and a quality vermouth. Mix 70ml of the gin
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IRIS at The Lowry

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Since late May, theatre-goers and visitors to The Lowry have had the chance to see the Lyric Theatre as never before. IRIS is a spectacular digital installation from acclaimed artists Marshmallow Laser Feast commissioned as part of The Lowry's Week 53 festival. The result of an open invitation to create a piece of work which responded to the vast 1,700-seat space, IRIS is a stunning display of light, sound, colour and technology.   Before the showing begins, our view of a smoke-filled auditorium, illuminated by powerful beams shining down from the rigging high above, offers little indication as to what was in store. Anticipation as well as smoke fills the air as a palpable sense of intrigue ripples through the audience. It is a feeling akin to the moments before the appearance of a rock band at a sold-out gig. The auditorium goes dark and unusual noises fill the room. It sounds as if thunderclouds are crashing together, then as if a heavy door is creaking open. Something b
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The Best Things To Do in Manchester This Weekend

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The weekend is upon us once again - and it's going to be a very busy one! The Manchester International Festival kicked off in style on Thursday night as locals and visitors packed into Piccadilly Gardens for What Is the City but the People? , a unique celebration of Manchester culture and identity. MIF17 continues into the weekend and through to 16th July, promising 18 extraordinary days of events across the city.  On top of this, we have a range of theatre, cinema, live music and days out to make sure your weekend is a memorable one. Macabre and Magic in Stockport Rat's Tales is a collection of seven dark and enchanting folktales from around the world, all brought together by former Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. This adaptation is performed by Stockport Garrick Youth in the theatre's main auditorium. With tickets priced at just £5 for performances on Friday and Saturday evening , this is a perfect opportunity to see the rising theatrical stars of tomorrow in the cou
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The Best Roald Dahl Books: Top Ten

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Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain's best-loved and most-revered storytellers, Roald Dahl. Born to Norwegian parents in South Wales in 1916, Dahl produced a wealth of novels and poems adored by readers of all ages the world over. Dahl was an air force wing commander, a medical inventor, a chocolate historian and even a Second World War spy. He wrote novels and short stories for audiences of all ages, along with poems and scripts (including Bond film You Only Live Twice and classic musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ) but is best remembered for his quirky, macabre style of children's fiction. To mark Dahl's centenary year and the arrival of Fantastic Mr Fox to Salford , we're taking a look at his most memorable novels. Does your favourite make our list? 10. The Enormous Crocodile (1978) This classic picture book, illustrated by long-term Roald Dahl collaborator Quentin Blake, is set in Africa and depicts the escapades of a h
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