Northern Soul

It’s Not Grim Up North

It’s Not Grim Up North is Emma Yates-Badley’s blog for Northern Soul. It documents her rekindled love affair with the city of Manchester.

MACBETH by Shakespeare, , Writer - William Shakespeare, Director - Christopher Haydon, DESIGNER - Oli Townsend, LIGHTING DESIGNER - Colin Grenfell, The Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester, Manchester, 2019, Credit: Johan Persson/

Theatre Review: Macbeth, Royal Exchange, Manchester

September 19, 2019 No Comments

I grew up in Shakespeare’s Country (Stratford-upon-Avon to be precise) so I should be used to The Bard going on a bit.

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9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL. Amber Davies 'Judy Burnly' (2). Photo Pamela Raith

Theatre Review: 9 to 5 The Musical, Palace Theatre, Manchester

September 18, 2019 No Comments

I am a Dolly Parton superfan.

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A Superior Spectre: Angela Meyer in conversation with Jane Bradley, Blackwell’s, Manchester

September 6, 2019 Comments Off on A Superior Spectre: Angela Meyer in conversation with Jane Bradley, Blackwell’s, Manchester

Historical fiction isn’t my cup of tea.

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Plastic

The real climate change bullies – and why we should support Greta Thunberg

September 6, 2019 Comments Off on The real climate change bullies – and why we should support Greta Thunberg

Hypocrite is the latest buzzword.

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Rife – Twenty-One Stories from Britain’s Youth edited by Nikesh Shukla and Sammy Jones

Book Review: Rife – Twenty-One Stories from Britain’s Youth edited by Nikesh Shukla and Sammy Jones

August 29, 2019 Comments Off on Book Review: Rife – Twenty-One Stories from Britain’s Youth edited by Nikesh Shukla and Sammy Jones

It’s no exaggeration to say that young people in the UK are facing uncertain and daunting times.

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LUSH Manchester Market Street

Plastic not so fantastic: Lush Manchester gets naked

August 7, 2019 Comments Off on Plastic not so fantastic: Lush Manchester gets naked

Sustainability has become a marketing buzzword.

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Book Review: Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar

August 6, 2019 Comments Off on Book Review: Precious You by Helen Monks Takhar

I have a confession to make. When I’m perusing the shelves in my local bookshop, I usually pass on the section marked ‘Thriller’.

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keyboard

Why we should be deeply concerned by Boris Johnson’s toxic attitude to mental health

July 30, 2019 Comments Off on Why we should be deeply concerned by Boris Johnson’s toxic attitude to mental health

Is it just me or is there a distinct whiff of apocalypse in the air?

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BBC Music Introducing Manchester, Manchester International Festival, Festival Square

Review: BBC Music Introducing Manchester, Manchester International Festival

July 19, 2019 Comments Off on Review: BBC Music Introducing Manchester, Manchester International Festival

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks, you’ll be well aware that Manchester International Festival (MIF 2019) is in full swing.

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Actor Lisa Dwan Studio Créole at Manchester International Festival 2019 image credit Chris Payne 51155

“You can kid yourself that you can speak Icelandic or Japanese.” Adam Thirlwell on Studio Créole and the creolisation of languages

July 18, 2019 Comments Off on “You can kid yourself that you can speak Icelandic or Japanese.” Adam Thirlwell on Studio Créole and the creolisation of languages

When someone asks you the question ‘if you could pick a superpower, what would it be?’, do you opt for the ability to be fluent in every language?

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