Salford City Council was forced to close the George Thomas play area in Prince’s Park, Irlam after local teenagers ripped up the rubber safety surface in August. 

The council has now laid a new £20,000 sand filled carpet to replace the rubber surface and re-open the playground – but isn’t stopping there.

It’s allocated a further £35,000 to support local community groups who are trying to raise up to £100,000 to transform the play area.Councillor David Lancaster, lead member for environment and community safety, said:

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“We are working with a group of local people and the local friends of the parks groups who, like us, want to see the  play equipment replaced and upgraded.  Any new equipment can easily be fitted into the new surface which is more resilient to damage.

“They’re bidding for grants and organising events, including a Christmas market and Santa dash in the park on Sunday December 10.We are looking for funds to match whatever they can raise because this is a very popular and very well used play area. We hope to get the replacement equipment in place by next summer.”

 

Councillor Tracy Kelly, lead member for housing and neighbourhoods added:

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“It was a huge shame it had to be closed over the summer because of the damage but thankfully those involved were caught and have been dealt with.”  

Princes Park  was donated to the city in Victorian times by the late George Thomas and

 

 contains a unique remnant of the original course of the River Irwell which is now an important habitat for a range of local wildlife.

Two offenders had entered the shop at around 6.50am this morning (Mon 13th) whereupon they stole a number of items before making off in an unknown direction.

Police enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances around this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 292 of 13/11/17.

Main image copyright: The Local Data People.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett formally approved the suspension of contributions from the club for 36 months, subject to an annual review.

This is on the condition the club retains its name and honours its previous agreements by playing its home games at the AJ Bell Stadium in the city.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:  “Salford Red Devils is an institution in our city and a huge part of the Salford identity. I believe this decision is in the best interests of the taxpayer of Salford.

“It is concerning to hear about the continued financial difficulties faced by the club, especially in light of the important role that the club has for our city.

“We have agreed to extend the CVA on the club for three years, on annual review. Our accountants will have full access to the club’s accounts and finances and we are determined to turn things around. 

 “I have met with fans and hope to meet with them regularly until we turn this situation around and help the club stand on its own two feet again.”

The club’s relationship with the council has a long history. In 2013 all creditors entered into a Company Voluntary Agreement (CVA) which sets out terms for a loan to be paid back to the council  over a 25 year period. This came about when the new owner took on a historic debt when he bought the club. Previously the City Mayor said it would be a mistake to change the name of the club to incorporate Manchester. 

The length of the CVA has not been extended, meaning the club will still have to repay its debt over the agreed 25 years. The council agreed to this on the condition that the club pays the council £17,000 for IT support services and makes a contribution of £30,000 each year to the CVA to distribute to creditors. 

Officers attended and found a  41-year-old man had been walking down the street when his phone was taken from him.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances around this incident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 1741 of 07/11/17.

Think you know all about the world's longest running soap opera, Coronation Street?

Then test your knowledge at Salford Museum & Art Gallery's fun Corrie-themed pub quiz over a drink or two. If you know all about Gail's husbands, Ken's love interests, the Rovers' barmaids and can name who murdered Ernest Bishop, then this is the quiz for you!

This event is part of the new Tony Warren Four Miles from Manchester exhibition and in order to brush up on Tony Warren's brilliant older storylines and characters as well as the more up-to-date stuff why not pop in to the exhibition which runs from now until next July? You and your quiz team could win a superb Corrie prize. Plus there's the chance to grab a drink and enjoy a spot of Betty's Hotpot. The quiz is for teams of up to six people. Here's the full event 

Price includes a portion of Betty's Hotpot (vegetarian option available). Book now.

Photo credit: ITV

As a way to commemorate 50 years of Broughton Leisure Centre, the centre is re-opening with a newly refurbished gym and a brand new Female Only Gym. Recent consultation influenced the redevelopment, as locals were asked what facilities would attract them to use the centre.

Following a survey, 51% of women requested a ladies only gym, 60% of female respondents said a ladies only gym would encourage them to exercise more and 84% said they would be likely to use a female only gym.

Current members also helped decide the new gym equipment that has been installed as part of the refurbishment. This includes a new spinning area, tyre flip, new generation treadmills, step climbers and crosstrainers. 

To celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Broughton Leisure Centre and the opening of the ladies only gym, a full filled open weekend will be held on Saturday 11^th November (8.15am-4pm) and Sunday 12^th November 8.15am-1pm).

During the open weekend, the leisure centre will be running a series of 50p offers including join for just 50p and pay nothing until December for an Aspire Gym membership, get a FREE Freedom pass, saving you £18 and then get 50p off any activity every time you visit for 12 month, all activities 50p, including swimming and gym sessions, all refreshments 50p and there will be face painting for children.

Download the form for a FREE Freedom pass – salfordcommunityliesure.co.uk/sport

The two-week initiative has been launched by the TravelSafe Partnership (TSP) and will see police and TravelSafe officers using a range of tactics to keep people safe on the region’s sprawling bus and tram networks, which cater for more than 240 million journeys each year.

Some of the activity during the fortnight long operation will include covert and high visibility TravelSafe officers on board public transport, as well as being deployed on the platforms and bus stations to deter and tackle criminality.  The team will also execute warrants issued by court enforcement officials to retrieve unpaid fines.

Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, who leads the partnership for GMP said:

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“This operation shows our commitment to keeping people safe while using public transport across Greater Manchester. As well as working across the whole network, we will be using a drone to deter antisocial behaviour in Rochdale, and using the presence on public transport to support vulnerable people, such as those who are missing from home or at risk of criminal exploitation.

“We want this initiative to act as a message to our communities, commuters and those people committing crime and antisocial behaviour - we are taking the issue seriously and will see that justice is served against those offenders causing misery across the travel network.”

 

The partnership is made up of TravelSafe Officers (TSOs) (who are Security Industry Authority accredited), Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and police officers, all dedicated to patrolling the transport network including busses and trams.

The multiagency approach is designed to tackle and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. It uses antisocial behaviour and crime data alongside intelligence from operators to allocate dedicated resources in areas where they are most needed.

The unit is split by four areas to cover the whole city region. By doing this the team are able to familiarise themselves with the areas they serve and work alongside other partners to get to tackle broader issues associated with antisocial behaviour in those areas.

Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Beverley Hughes said:

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“Public safety is our top priority and that is why we are stepping up our patrols to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour on our travel network.

“Already this year I have provided extra funding to the Chief Constable for 50 additional PCSOs for the public transport network. We are committed to creating an environment in Greater Manchester where crime and anti-social behaviour is not tolerated. This two-week initiative will give our police officers, PCSOs and TravelSafe officers the opportunity to reassure the people of Greater Manchester that our travel network is safe and welcoming for all.”

 

TfGM’s Customer Director, Stephen Rhodes, said:

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“The ability to share information between transport operators and the police and use it to plan targeted operations such as this is one of the major advantages of having a dedicated TravelSafe unit.

“It is really important that every member of our community feels safe to travel without feeling intimidated or concerned by the behaviour of others. Public transport is a safe way to travel and the TravelSafe Partnership helps to reinforce and maintain that.”

 

Cilla the Musical is on its way to Manchester’s Palace Theatre this month.

The show is the spectacular and heart-warming musical adaptation of the critically acclaimed ITV mini-series based on the early life of Cilla Black, by BAFTA award winner Jeff Pope (The Moorside, Philomena, From The Cradle To The Grave, Mrs Biggs).

Kara Lily Hayworth was chosen from thousands of hopefuls who auditioned to play the title role.

Andrew Lancel (Brian Epstein) and Carl Au (Bobby Willis) are also among the cast of Bill Kenwright’s new show. It also stars Amy Bridges (Rose Willis); Gemma Brodrick-Bower (Pauline); Paul Broughton (John White); Bill Caple (Ringo Starr); Tom Christian (Kenny Willis); Tom Dunlea (Hutch); Pauline Fleming (Big Cilla); Joshua Gannon (Paul McCartney); Billie Hardy (Pat) and Michael Hawkins (John Lennon).

The musical reunites Tom Dunlea, Michael Hawkins and Gemma Brodrick-Bower, all of whom starred in Jeff Pope’s original ITV mini-series Cilla, on which the musical is based. It also reunites Andrew Lancel with the role of Epstein, which he played on stage to great critical acclaim in Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles. Andrew is best known to TV audiences as super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street and as DI Neil Manson in the long-running ITV television series The Bill.

The legendary Merseybeat sound is authentically performed live on stage by the cast who are completed by Alan Howell, Jay Osbourne, Alex Harford, Will Kinnon, Jenny Murphy, Tom Sowinski and Christopher Weeks.

Cilla – The Musical tells the extraordinary story of the ordinary girl from Liverpool whose teenage dreams of stardom lead her to becoming one of Britain’s best-loved entertainers of all time.

It’s an introduction by a young John Lennon to music mogul Brian Epstein that changes Priscilla White’s life forever. By the age of just 25 she would be known as singer and TV Star Cilla Black, Number One selling artist and at the forefront of the Brit-Pop music scene.

The musical score is the ultimate soundtrack to the 60s including Cilla’s greatest hits Anyone Who Had a Heart, Alfie, You’re My World and Something Tells Me, Twist and Shout by the Beatles, California Dreamin’ by The Mamas and The Papas, and many more.

Cilla – The Musical is produced by Bill Kenwright and Laurie Mansfield, alongside Executive Producer Robert Willis

CILLA – THE MUSICAL

WRITTEN BY JEFF POPE

DIRECTED BY BILL KENWRIGHT & BOB TOMSON

LISTING INFORMATION

CILLA THE MUSICAL

Palace Theatre, Manchester

97 Oxford Street

Manchester

M1 6FT

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 November 2017

Performances: Tues – Sat at 7.30pm | Weds, Thurs & Sat Matinee at 2.30pm

Tickets: From £17.90

Box Office: 0844 871 3019* www.atgtickets.com/manchester *

*Booking/transaction fee applies

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL heads to Palace Theatre Manchester this Christmas.

It’s just six weeks until the award-winning show, which tells the story of the hugely talented American singer-songwriter, opens. And today producers have revealed the first images of the production which will entertain and enthrall Manchester audiences over the festive season.

The stunning stage show will be at the Palace Theatre from Tuesday 12 December 2017 until Saturday 6 January 2018.

Bronté Barbé is playing the title role, and she will be joined by Kane Oliver Parry as King’s husband and songwriting partner Gerry Goffin; Amy Ellen Richardson as songwriter Cynthia Weil; Matthew Gonsalves as songwriter Barry Mann; Carol Royle as King’s mother Genie Klein; and Adam Howden as music publisher and producer Donnie Kirshner. At certain performances, Carole King will be played by Leigh Lothian.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL received its Broadway premiere in January 2014 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses, and throughout 2015/2016 it toured the US. The London production ended its triumphant two-and-a-half-year run at the Aldwych on 5 August. The Tokyo production opened this July, and the Australian production in September.

Bronté Barbé was a finalist in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s BBC1 television series Over The Rainbow in 2010. Since then she has appeared on stage in both London’s West End and around the UK. Previous credits include Cool Rider in the West End and Princess Fiona in the UK Tour of Shrek – The Musical. She most recently starred in The Wild Party at The Other Palace.

Kane Oliver Parry has starred in Carousel and Sweeney Todd at London’s Coliseum. West End credits include Wicked and Urinetown. Kane also appeared in The Light Princess at the National Theatre and the International Arena Tour of We Will Rock You.

Amy Ellen Richardson’s West End theatre credits include Merrily We Roll Along, Crazy For You and Les Misérables. After appearing in the UK Tour of Singin’ in the Rain, Amy recently reprised the role of Kathy Selden in Tokyo at Theatre Orb.

Matthew Gonsalves is currently appearing in the West End production of Beautiful – The Carole King Musical. His other theatre credits include Dirty Dancing and Dreamboats and Petticoats both on UK Tour. Matthew has also been a singer and vocal arranger for artists including Florence and the Machine, Westlife, Will Young, Leona Lewis, and Barry Manilow.

Carol Royle’s theatre credits include Moonlight at the Donmar and the UK Tour of An Ideal Husband. Carole has also appeared in many television series including Crossroads, Casualty, Doctors, and Life Without George.

Adam Howden’s previous theatre credits include Offie-nominated The Talented Mr Ripley, Romeo & Juliet, Richard III, and Spring Awakening. Television credits include Doctors, The Interns, Whitechapel, New Tricks, and Holby City.

Leigh Lothian is currently appearing in Beautiful – The Carole King Musical at the Aldwych Theatre. Her other West End credits include Chariots of Fire at the Gielgud Theatre. Leigh has also appeared in The Beautiful Game at the Union Theatre, and Avenue Q and Kiss Me, Kate, both at the Gatehouse Theatre.

The cast is completed by Merryl Ansah, Lauren Byrne, Matt Campbell, Khalid Daley, Jessica Joslin, Esme Laudat, Emma Lucia, Grant McConvey, Jacob McIntosh, Paige Miller, Matt Mills, Simeon Montague, Ben Morris, David O’Mahony, and Saran Webb.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL tells the inspiring true story of King’s remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history.

Along the way, she wrote the soundtrack to a generation, including one of the best-selling albums of all time Tapestry, and countless classics such as (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman; Take Good Care of My Baby; You’ve Got a Friend; So Far Away; It Might as Well Rain Until September; Up on the Roof; and The Locomotion.

The show also includes the Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann hit songs You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feeling; On Broadway; and We Gotta Get out of This Place.

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL has a book by Douglas McGrath with words and music by Gerry Goffin, Carole King, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

www.beautifulmusical.co.uk/tour

LISTING INFORMATION

BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL

Palace Theatre, Manchester

97 Oxford Street

Manchester

M1 6FT

Tuesday 12 December 2017 – Saturday 6 January 2018

Tickets: From £15.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3019* www.atgtickets.com/venues/palace-theatre-manchester *

*Booking/transaction fee applies

Shortly before 3.30pm on Friday 3 November 2017, a blue Skoda Fabia was travelling northbound on the A575 Bolton Road in Walkden, near to The Ellesmere Shopping Centre, when it collided with a pedestrian who was crossing the carriageway.

The pedestrian, a 51-year-old woman, was taken to hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

The driver of the Skoda, a man, stayed at the scene and no arrests have been made.

The road was closed for around four hours but is now fully reopened.

Any witnesses to the collision are encouraged to contact police.

Police Sergeant Lee Westhead of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said:

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“While the injured woman is receiving treatment in hospital, our enquiries continue to build a full picture of what happened.

“We have already spoken to some witnesses at the scene, which has helped us so far, but we still need people who saw the collision or who saw the car driving before the collision to call us.

“Any information that you have, whether that be a witness account or dashcam footage, can be passed onto us directly.”

 

Anyone with information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. 

At around 9.15pm this evening, Sunday 5 November, police were alerted by security staff to a possible abduction of a child at Heaton Park. 

A number of procedures were followed including the search of vehicles leaving the park and some disruption was caused.

Officers have been working through the night to corroborate the report however, the evidence available at this time does not suggest that a child has been abducted.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone with any concerns is encouraged to contact police.

GMP’s Superintendent Mark Kenny said: 

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“Reports that relate to abduction are taken very seriously and extensive enquiries were conducted overnight.

“Officers acted quickly to ensure the safety of the public and this included the checks of vehicles at the park.

“I am positive the report made to us was in good faith however, we have not received a report of a missing child that matches the information reported to us.

“We continue to investigate the circumstances so we can be sure of exactly what has happened and I encourage anyone to speak to us about any concerns that they have.”

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2512 of 05/11/17 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Around 9.15pm this evening, Sunday 5 November, police were called to reports that a girl had been abducted from Heaton Park.

Officers are currently at the scene and are following a number of procedures including the search of vehicles leaving the park.

Superintendent Arif Nawaz of GMP’s City of Manchester Team, said:

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“I want people to know we are taking this report extremely seriously and are following all possible lines of enquiry, which may cause some disruption to people leaving the event this evening.

“We need to be really clear about what has happened this evening so I’d ask that people refrain from speculating around the circumstances on social media as we follow our processes.

“Thank you to all for your cooperation and patience.”

 

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 2512 of 05/11/17 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Salford Foodbank is to open a new food distribution centre in Eccles to help more local people who are struggling to put food on the table.

Demand has risen by 43% since last year with the foodbanks now helping 42 families every week with emergency food parcels.

Between January and  September this year, the three existing foodbanks in Eccles and Central Salford had given out  3884 three day emergency food parcels of which 1560 were for children - a 43% increase compared to the same period in 2016.

Salford City Council, which is working to tackle poverty in the city, has provided  funding of £75,000 to help set up the new foodbank as part of a wider plan to tackle food poverty in the city.

Salford Central Foodbank manager Mark Whittington said:

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‘Having seen an increase in the amount of people that we help year on year, we have been wanting to open up new foodbank distribution centres so that we can help more people access our service.

“We had been considering opening up in Eccles and Swinton and now that we have funding to help with this, we will be opening our new Eccles foodbank centre on Friday mornings from 11am to 1pm  at Connect Church on Wellington Road.  In 2018 we are looking to open up a fourth centre in Swinton.”

 

City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“While I’m grateful to everyone involved in and who supports our  Salford foodbanks for stepping forward to help people in dire need, I’m horrified by the increase in demand. If the foodbanks weren’t there we would have people starving and that is unthinkable in 21st century Britain.

“No-one should be in that position which is why they have my full support. This is part of a wider programme of supporting food banks and food clubs in Salford, investing in our city to achieve our ambitious ‘Feeding Salford’ plan of ending hunger in the city.”

 

Tom Togher, Chair of Salford Food Share, a partnership of all the major food crisis services in the city, added:

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“Salford City Council should be congratulated on its efforts to fight food poverty, and its willingness to support a co-ordinated approach to food crisis services.”

People attending any of the foodbank centres in Salford are identified by local frontline care professionals, such as health visitors or social workers, and given a voucher to exchange for their food.

The official opening of the new Eccles foodbank distribution centre is happening at 10am on Friday 3rd November .  Refreshments will be provided and Rebecca Long-Bailey MP will carry out the official opening ceremony.

Free places can be booked via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/salford-foodbank-eccles-centre-opening-tickets-38833993520

Albert Symes, passed away at his home on Brutus Walk, Higher Broughton on Tuesday 31 October 2017 aged 73. 

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. 

Anyone with information about Albert Symes or his family is asked to contact the Police Coroner’s Office at Heywood on 0161 856 8565. 

Kinky Boots, the winner of every major Best Musical award, is pleased to announce that it will embark on a UK tour from autumn 2018. The tour will open at Theatre Royal & Derngate in Northampton on 19 September 2018, returning to the home of this heart-warming British story, whilst the West End production continues at the Adelphi Theatre.

The show will run at Manchester Opera House from 12 November for a three-week run!

Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre has become a favourite with UK theatregoers having won three Olivier Awards for Best New Musical, Best Costume Design and Best Actor in a Musical for Matt Henry who played Lola. Kinky Boots also won the London Evening Standard BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical as well as three WhatsOnStage Awards for Best New Musical, Best Actor in a Musical and Best Choreography.

With a book by Broadway legend and four-time Tony® Award-winner Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles), and songs by Grammy® and Tony® winning pop icon Cyndi Lauper, this joyous musical celebration is about the friendships we discover, and the belief that you can change the world when you change your mind.

Inspired by true events, Kinky Boots takes you from a gentlemen’s shoe factory in Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan. Charlie Price is struggling to live up to his father’s expectations and continue the family business of Price & Son. With the factory’s future hanging in the balance, help arrives in the unlikely but spectacular form of Lola, a fabulous performer in need of some sturdy new stilettos.

With direction and choreography by two-time Tony® Award-winner Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), Kinky Boots is the winner of every major Best Musical award including three Olivier Awards,three WhatsOnStage Awards as well as six Broadway Tony® Awards.

Composer and Lyricist, Cyndi Lauper said: 

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“It has been a wonderful adventure and a privilege for me, to play a part in creating Kinky Boots. Everyone can relate to this universal story, and I am overwhelmed that people in the UK have embraced it with open arms. I am thrilled that this fabulous show will be touring the country!”

Book writer, Harvey Fierstein said:

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“The inspiring story of Kinky Boots will soon complete its full circle journey from Northampton to the silver screen to Broadway and London and now, at last, back home to Northampton as it embarks on a national UK tour. How often does that happen? It’s been an absolute thrill to witness the giant heart of our show raise audiences up out of their seats in clamorous joy night after night in the West End and I am now so glad to experience its homecoming.”

Director and Choreographer, Jerry Mitchell said:

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“I am delighted to see this big-spirited musical going on tour. Kinky Boots is very close to my heart, and I am really looking forward to taking this British musical all over the UK ."

Kinky Boots is produced by Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig, James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Playful Productions, CJ E&M, Jayne Baron Sherman, Just for Laughs Theatricals/Judith Ann Abrams, Yasuhiro Kawana, Jane Bergère, Allan S. Gordon & Adam S. Gordon, Ken Davenport, Hunter Arnold, Lucy and Phil Suarez, Bryan Bantry, Ron Fierstein & Dorsey Regal, Independent Presenters Network, Jim Kierstead/Gregory Rae, BB Group/Christina Papagjika, Brian Smith/Tom & Connie Walsh, Warren Trepp, and Jujamcyn Theaters, in association with Cameron Mackintosh.

Book:                                                               Harvey Fierstein

Composer & Lyricist:                                    Cyndi Lauper

Director & Choreographer:                         Jerry Mitchell

Musical Supervision,

Arranger & Orchestrator:                           Stephen Oremus

Scenic Design:                                              David Rockwell

Costume Design:                                         Gregg Barnes

Lighting Design:                                           Kenneth Posner

Sound Design:                                              John Shivers

Hair Design:                                                  Josh Marquette

Make-up Design:                                         Randy Houston Mercer

Casting for the tour will be announced in due course.

Official UK Tour Website: www.kinkybootsthemusical.co.uk/uk-tour

Official Facebook: www.facebook.com/KinkyBootsUK

Official Twitter: www.twitter.com/KinkyBootsUK

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

KINKY BOOTS THE MUSICAL

MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE

Dates: Mon 12 Nov – Sat 1 Dec 2018

Performance days/times: Mon – Sat eves 7.30pm

Thu and Sat matinees 2.30pm

Ticket prices: Tickets are from £19.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3018* www.atgtickets.com/manchester *

*Booking/transaction fee applies

The investigation has continued at considerable speed with officers drawn from across UK policing to support it.

In addition to the 22 families devastated by the murder of their loved ones, we can now say that that there are more than 500 injured people from the attack

We continue to have family liaison officers deployed to the families who have lost family members and are also working with survivors and their families to support them at this very difficult time.

We have previously explained that amongst the survivors, 16 people were very seriously injured. Injuries include paralysis, loss of limbs, internal injuries and very serious facial injuries. Many have had complicated plastic surgery.

Of course, everyone, not least those who have lost their loved ones will live with the memories of what happened, for ever.

The size of the investigation is very substantial.

•       We have arrested 23 people

•       We have searched 30 addresses

·        Seized 11,000 exhibits

•       We now have 16 terabytes of data being examined.

•       We have taken over 1300 statements and there are over 5,000 people referenced in the inquiry

•       We have 16,000 hours of CCTV which we are working through

•       And over 8 million lines of telephone communications data.

We have previously reported that:

• Our understanding of Salmon Abebi’s movements is very clear

• We have not uncovered evidence of a wide network

• However we have also said that we wished to interview Hashem Abedi, the brother of Salman Abedi and that he was a suspect in relation to this attack.

I can now say that following a review of the evidence by the CPS, we have applied for and been granted a warrant for the arrest of Hashem Abedi. The arrest warrant relates to the Murder of 22 people, the attempted murder of others who were injured and conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Hashem Abedi is currently detained in Libya and the CPS has now requested that Libyan authorities consider his extradition back to the United Kingdom.

We are grateful for the Libyan authorities considering this request.

You will appreciate that we must not do or say anything that might prejudice a fair trial and that this remains an ongoing investigation.

We also need to respect the due process being managed by Libyan authorities and as a consequence at this time we are unable to provide any further detail.

This investigation is still running at a very fast pace. We are incredibly grateful for the support of the hundreds of people affected by this horrible attack and our officers are constantly moved by their stories and by their accounts.

We are also grateful for the huge support of the public not only in this investigation but their continued calls to policing about suspicious activity.