Live at Lowry - Phil Wang, John Kearns, Sophie Duker, Dan Nightingale and Flo & Joan

I moved to the North from sunny ‘South of Watford Gap’ nearly 16 years ago and in that time, of all the local venues, it is The Lowry which has become my firm favourite. And indeed a family favourite: Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without tickets to their annual production, and when my niece braved these Northern climes, it was seeing ‘Going to the Match’ that was our highlight.

I’m not alone in my love for the venue. Since opening its doors in 2000, The Lowry has stood as a not-for-profit charity on a mission to “spread the joy of art and creativity, further and wider,” rooted firmly in the local community. The phenomenal work it does in supporting up and coming talent, helping local communities, nurturing young talent and presenting a culturally rich programme has cemented its place as a leading venue for the North West. It’s not surprising that is has welcomed over 18.5m visitors!

This year, The Lowry marks its 25th anniversary and is celebrating with a brilliant programme of events that represent the breadth of its cultural offering. Last night was the turn of comedy, with a one off night of stand up: Live at Lowry!

The Lowry has built a strong reputation as a home for comedy in all its forms. Over the years I’ve had the chance to see everything from rising stand-ups testing new material, childhood heroes, full-blown comedy productions and of course big-name acts on nationwide tours.  

Live at Lowry! followed the classic Live at the Apollo format—a host opening the night, followed by a series of solo sets. Our host for the evening was Dan Nightingale, known to many for his work on The Now Show and his popular Have a Word podcast. He was a brilliant host, warming the audience up with some truly jarring impressions of the Manchester accent before recollecting some of his own joyous experiences living in the area.

The first act of the night was Taskmaster alumni Sophie Duker who did a brilliant set, focusing on her current obsession with the election of a new Pope and sharing her own, unique thoughts on who might be elected whilst her honest thoughts on the average 19 – 25 year old man were, frankly, genius.

Next to the stage was John Kearns. Kearns is probably best known as the only comedian to win both Best Newcomer and Best Show at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. He has the most oddball style that presents as totally haphazard and random; in fact it is clearly highly crafted and rehearsed, a masterclass in pace and comic timing. I have never before seen an audience fall apart at the mere story of taking a wheelie bin out!  His overblown exasperation during the tale of watching a Michelin starred chef cook boiled potatoes also had the audience howling with laughter

Next were sisters Nicola and Rosie Dempsey, better known as Flo & Joan, they of the witty ditty. I have been desperate to see them live for ages now and they did not disappoint, delivering a series of songs covering everything from drinking too much to a glorious tongue-twisting folk song sung unaccompanied except for some major riffing on the recorder. Yes they made recorders sound cool. What more can you ask?

The night was topped by the fabulous Phil Wang, another on my wish list. Again, he did not disappoint. Delivering a longer set, Wang led the audience on a merry path covering everything from finding sanctuary in an artisanal bakery in Peckham to the questionable videos of David Bowie, all with the gloriously dry wit which has made him so successful.

Last night was a brilliant night of comedy, but it is just one of many celebratory events planned for the year.  Central to the anniversary celebrations is "LOWRY 360," a free immersive experience that invites visitors into L.S. Lowry’s iconic painting, Going to the Match. Similar to the Van Gogh Live experience, this installation uses cutting-edge technology to surround audiences with the sights and sounds of the artwork, offering a new way to engage with Lowry's depiction of working-class life. 

The anniversary programme also features "Gods of Salford," a theatrical production reimagining Greek myths through a working-class lens, which created with local young people. Families can enjoy "Quentin Blake and Me," a free exhibition showcasing illustrations by the beloved children's author, including a special portrait of L.S. Lowry. Additionally, the National Theatre's acclaimed play Dear England will be staged, and artist Camille Walala will transform the Promenade Gallery with a vibrant mural inspired by cityscapes.

The anniversary programme offers something for everyone. With so many ways to get involved, it's a must-visit celebration of 25 years of cultural impact.