A patch of grass next to a city centre tram stop has been turned into a temporary festival site, which will open to the public this evening.
The team at Hope Mill Theatre have transformed the land beside New Islington tram stop with a large theatre tent, an outdoor bar and several street food stalls.
This site will be the home of Hope Fest, a three-week extravaganza of theatre, comedy, musicals and family entertainment.
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The canvas doors will be thrown open this evening, with Hope Fest running through until August 8.
The event has been put together by local independent Hope Mill Theatre in association with Electric Park, hoping to reinvigorate the arts post-lockdown.
The theatre tent itself has space for 250 visitors, who can perch on picnic tables for a programme that includes Jason Manford's Comedy Club, a Little Mermaid theatre show, and The Other Guys tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
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As well as a busy bill of ticketed events, the public are able to visit the Theatre Garden & Bar from Tuesday July 20 until Sunday August 8.
Ancoats Gin, Seven Brothers, Shindigger, and Paradiso desserts will all be on offer, alongside a barbecue and pizza bar.
Local charity Ground Works have built a forest installation at the bar too.
Back in the theatre tent, other shows include The Dolly Show, inspired by queen of country Dolly Parton; improvised comedy from Yes Queens; plus burlesque and drag performances.
The theatre tent will screen cult classic Coyote Ugly, complete with themed cocktails, and welcome in some of Manchester's best comic talent with a specially-curated Hope Fest Comedy Gala.
There's even something for four-legged friends, with fancy dress and a doggy DJ at Dog Fest.
Ancoats residents can access discounted tickets through the Fancoats scheme.
Tables can be booked in groups of two, four or six people at hopemilltheatre.co.uk.
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