SUMMER is traditionally a quiet time for the arts in Manchester, but people can get their cultural fix by attending a varied programme of events at this year's Manchester International Festival.
Highlights include wonder.land a new musical inspired by the classic fairytale Alice In Wonderland at the Palace Theatre, with music by Blur's Damon Albarn.The show runs until July 12 and tickets are available from 0844 871 7654.
Maxine Peake, one of our country's finest actresses, is to star in Caryl Churchill's The Skirker at the Royal Exchange Theatre until July 18.
Albert Square will become Festival Square, with performances by acoustic acts and DJs that include the legendary Dave Haslam of Hacienda fame on Friday and 6Mussic's Mary Ann Hobbs on July 7.
The Square will also be home to the Pavillion Theatre which will host comedy evenings with Adam Buxton, consistently hilarious when he was a co-presenter on 6Music.
Manchester International Festival is serving up a programme to please all ages, including The Tale of Mr Tumble, performed by Justin Fletcher from the CBeebies show Something Special. It runs at the Opera House from July 11-19.
* Tickets for all Festival shows are available from 0844 871 7654 and you can also book online or find out more about what's on by visiting mif.co.uk.
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