YEAR 2022, perhaps the year of consolidation, maybe the year of hope, quite probably the year of recovery.
Holding its collective breath, the arts and cultural sector is beginning to regain confidence to stimulate, entertain, excite and enrich lives across the world.
In north-west England, 2022 saw the re-emergence of festivals, art shows, dance and theatre productions which helped lift spirits.
Events such as the Manchester Jazz Festival returned with a loud, joyous and exciting band of excellent musicians getting audiences jumping and singing across the city.
This year saw some terrific theatre. Arti Banerjee’s magnificent re-working of Tennessee Williams’ Glass Menagerie for the Royal Exchange Manchester is the stand-out production of the year.