Once again, The Met has put together an array of entertainment for Autumn and beyond.
This award-winning venue, based in the heart of Bury town centre, has been packing in music fans and theatregoers since 1979 and this year they present Dick Whittington, a magical family pantomime for the festive period! Expect spectacular sets, sensational costumes, a pantomime cat and one gorgeous pantomime dame, all the ingredients for a magical experience and the perfect Christmas treat. Family tickets and rates for groups and schools are available. (Thu 8 – Sat 24 December).
The Met has a reputation for bringing the very best music to the town, attracting outstanding artists and musicians from the UK and beyond.
As always, there is a programme of music to suit all tastes, featuring Folk, Blues, Indian Classical Music, Prog Rock, plus hugely popular tribute bands.
RANT, four of Scotland’s finest fiddle players in an evening of music; Rowan Rheingans – Dispatches on the Red Dress, an intimate and courageous solo show from this twice BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winning songwriter;
The Enid, legendary Art Rock band, with old and new songs; Martin Simpson, a guitarist of formidable talent, playing English and American traditional Folk and Blues, or his own original compositions;
Michael McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle, with top class folk songs, tunes and charming bonhomie from folk’s legendary musical magpies; Sam Baker, a Texan troubadour with a captivating evening of songs and stories;
The Pitmen Poets, pure Geordie joy with Lindisfarne singer and songwriter Billy Mitchell, Warhorse song man Bob Fox, Master of Tyneside song Benny Graham, and award-winning songwriter Jez Lowe; Soumik Datta – Happy Notes, a sensory feast, an immersive concert and theatre show combining animation and Indian classical music;
Ranagri & Tony Christie, legendary singer Tony Christie (Is This The Way To Amarillo?) joins forces with crossover folk band Ranagri for an evening of Irish song; Wishbone Ash perform their iconic album Argus in its entirety, along with songs from many of their other albums;
Sam Lewis Nashville-based musician combines feel-good music with vital social commentary; Talisk music from the ground-breaking, chart-topping, genre-bending, instantly enthralling folk from Scotland;
The Bella Hardy Christmas Show, celebrating the festive season in song with traditional favourites from her much-loved Christmas record Bright Morning; an evening with Cara Dillon, one of the finest exponents of traditional Irish song anywhere in the world and last but by no means least, the unmissable Bollywood Brass Band, the UK’s pioneering Indian-style wedding band, playing the great tunes and compulsively danceable rhythms.
Every month The Met presents First Thursday Comedy featuring the very best of the comedy scene. Look out for Daliso Chaponda, Markus Birdman, Molly McGuinness & Stephen Bailey Phil Nichol, Nina Gilligan & Garrett Millerick, Adam Rowe, Jo Caulfield and more.
Drama for Autumn includes: New Dawn Fades, the story of how four ordinary lads, inspired by the punk revolution of 1970s Manchester, came together to form Joy Division. one of the most influential bands of all time; Steptoe and Son Radio Show, marking 60 years since the first-ever broadcast, a fresh and hilarious adaptation of three original episodes from the long-running smash hit BBC sitcom; Our Kelly’s Hen Do, friends from Bury Market set off to Blackpool. From MaD Theatre Company (last seen with Food Bank Boulevard and It’s The Wrong Way To Tickle Mary), the first production from their new Radcliffe women’s group; Ghost Stories MR James – Robert Lloyd Parry, two chilling and thrilling tales from M R James, the master of the English ghost story, performed by R M Lloyd Parry; and Things I Made In Lockdown: A short film showcase, local writer/performer Lewis Charlesworth presents ten new short films featuring northern locations and the best of northern talent.
The Autumn season features plenty of family fun with musicals, storytelling and science. There is a great line-up of shows for half term, including: the return of Rochdale’s much-loved family theatre companyM6 with a charming tale about an unlikely friendship; When Another Dragon Roars, thoughtful and heart-warming show for children and adults alike; Diwali Celebrations, lantern making, a dance workshop and a celebratory parade; and Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science, science and silliness abound for ages seven to 107!
Bury Beer Festival returns in November, taking over the Met’s historic Derby Hall venue – brilliant beers from Bury’s local breweries, a cider bar, a gin bar, plus a selection of beers from all over the UK.
Always at the centre of the town’s community, The Met runs: Bury Youth Theatre; Aiming High, a specialist youth theatre for autistic and learning-disabled children and young people; Met Express, The Met’s very own learning disability theatre company; Meet Me at The Met, a social arts group for the over 50s; and Movers and Shakers, a fun movement-based workshop for children aged 0-5 and their grown-ups.
There are also weekly community choirs, ukulele bands and a community jazz orchestra with partners ALFA education every Tuesday. Find out more about learning or joining at themet.org.uk/workshops
The Met’s independent restaurant Automatic is perfect for pre-show meals or post-gig drinks, brunches and quick lunches plus delicious cocktails and a selection of local beers. To book: automaticcafe.com or 0161 763 9399.
Full programme available here: https://themet.org.uk/whats-on/
Booking:Tickets: (No booking fee) themet.org.uk or call 0161 761 2216
