WHEN so many glorious Manchester spaces have been transformed into bars and restaurants and even our arts venues are paying more attention to their food and drink offering – witness Manchester Art Gallery hiring Mary Ellen McTague to run its cafe – such changes have passed the Royal Exchange Theatre by. Until now.
Plans have been announced to transform the Exchange’s restaurant, bars and cafe to embrace its dramatic location, the Great Hall. Work is already underway with a deadline for reopening as The Rivals set for Thursday September 14, two weeks after the new indoor beer garden, which coincides with the new season.
The name comes from the first ever production at the theatre back in 1976 (attended and reviewed by Taste of Manchester editor Neil Sowerby). What a cast, too – Tom Courtenay, Trevor Peacock, Lindsay Duncan, Patricia Routledge, to name just four.
Well, the food and drink line-up for the new Rivals looks pretty tasty too. A ‘co-production’ with the Exchange, it’s in the capable hands of Rupert Hill and Goska Langrish. Former Corrie star Rupert has been involved in successful venues The Castle Hotel, Gulliver's, The Eagle Inn, Baker’s Vaults and Chorlton’s award-winning The Parlour with Goska and her husband Jamie.
Rupert said: "I’m so excited about this new venture, a place where both my passions come together in one stunning venue. We will be bringing not just a great new food and drink offer (including a wide range of cask ales and craft beers), but also a commitment to all the arts in our own events programing and promotion."
Goska added: “This is a very exciting venture. We have always prided ourselves in delivering great food and service. We aim to run our sites like a family business and we hope to bring this same inclusive and warm approach to The Royal Exchange.”
The Royal Exchange, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH. 0161 833 9833. From Friday, August 31.