Unseen prints and a two-time Olivier nominee
Handpicked cultural things to do this week: Friday 12 to Thursday 18 June, 2026
I have really enjoyed writing this very first new look weekly edition of Stored Honey. Sometimes it’s a pleasure to be able to write some chattier, more succinct observations about exhibitions and shows I’ve loved or am looking forward to. The idea is that you can read the whole lot or scroll to the things you might like to go to - whatever way works best for you. You’ll notice that I’ve cheated the system on the very first week by squeezing in an extra ‘thing’.
There will still be plenty of longer reads coming your way, particularly if you’re a paid subscriber. This week, paid members will have already received the latest gallery guide - 5 things to see in the University of Salford Art Collection, chosen by its curatorial team. And next week I’ll be sending out an interview with Africa Oye’s Paul Duhaney on the efforts they’ve made to keep the festival accessible and affordable despite having to introduce ticket prices this year. Plus, because I have a glut of interviews on my notepad, paid subscribers will also receive a Meet the Creator feature.
These Cultural Things to Do This Week posts are free for everyone. Paid subscribers receive an extra more in-depth email most weeks including longer reads, interviews, Meet the Creator features and Curator’s Picks. It’s just £6 per month or £60 annually for full access.
5 6 things to do this week
EXHIBITION: Making a Mark: Artworks from the Studio Prints Collection, Victoria Gallery & Museum, Liverpool
A show of 45 works created at pioneering printmaking studio, Studio Prints, established by British artist and printmaker Dorothea Wight in 1968, including pieces by Wight and her partner Marc Balakjian, Frank Auerbach and Lucian Freud. The collection was gifted to the University of Liverpool in 2019 and this is the first time they’ve been displayed since.
I took the obvious decision to illustrate this with one of Freud’s etchings because his style is instantly recognisable, but while it is a treat to see a whole wall of his work, this exhibition would still have been strong without him. I was particularly drawn to the colours in Wight’s mezzotints of windows, and by Balakjian’s ability to make 2D prints appear to be made of fabric or rope. And then there are Stephen Conroy’s haunting faces… (I’m planning a longer feature on this exhibition in an upcoming edition so I must stop myself to save something for that). Saturday 13 June 2026 to Saturday 30 January 2027, free entry.
THEATRE: Something Rotten, Manchester Opera House
It’s the 1590s and brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but remain stuck in the shadow of that pompous Renaissance rockstar Will Shakespeare and somehow end up inventing the musical. Starring Jason Manford, Richard Fleeshman and two-time Olivier nominee Marisha Wallace. Tuesday 16 June to Sunday 19 July, tickets from £15.60.
FESTIVAL: Wirral Open Studio Tour, various locations
I am totally biased when it comes to this event as I’ve been helping the organisers with its publicity, but it would be remiss of me to leave it out of this week’s list just in case you haven’t heard all about it. More than 90 artists are opening the doors of their studios right across Wirral - it’s a great chance to have a nose behind the scenes, chat with the artists and maybe even pick up a work for your walls. I was at Wellington Road Studios in Oxton this week, while the artists were in the middle of getting ready, and there’s a buzz of excitement. Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 June, free entry.
MUSIC: Simone Lamsma, Tung Auditorium, Liverpool
Former Liverpool Philharmonic artist-in-residence and violinist Simone Lamsma partners with pianist Jonathan Fournel for a recital of Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne, Fauré’s Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major, Op.13, Brahms’ Violin Sonata No .3 in D minor, Op.108 and Ravel’s Tzigane. Sunday 14 June, tickets £31.
EXHIBITION: 10 x 10, Saul Hay Gallery, Manchester
This was recommended to me by a number of different artists, which is always a good sign. Sadly Saul Hay Gallery is leaving Castlefield after nearly 10 years to move online, and for its final exhibition has invited back 50 artists from its past and present. Each of those have recommended another artist, making a total of 100 10cm x 10cm works. Ends Sunday 28 June, free entry.
EXHIBITION: ZAUM! 50MV, Waterloo
A group show of contemporary artists exploring new directions through the language of painting, or reference to it, alongside a work by the late Sir Terry Frost who was a pioneer in British Abstraction. The title Zaum! takes its name from an experimental language that rejects grammar and fixed meaning, first used in the 1913 Russian Futurist opera Victory over the Sun. There’s also a playlist to accompany the exhibition. Opens Saturday 13 June 6-8pm, and by appointment from Sunday 14 to Sunday 28 June, free entry.
And one for the diary…
THEATRE: Hadestown, Lowry Salford, Liverpool Empire, Storyhouse Chester
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical Hadestown, currently playing its third hit year in London’s West End, is touring to three North West venues next year. Take a journey to the underworld and back with two Ancient Greek love stories - young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone. Lowry, Salford, 9-20 March 2027; Liverpool Empire Theatre, 6-10 July (booking opening soon); Storyhouse Chester, 2-6 November.
In case you missed it
Artist and curator Brendan Lyons shares the inspiration behind a new exhibition of work by Maurice Cockrill, painted during his time at Liverpool’s Bridewell Studios and Gallery.
Thank you for reading the 184th edition of Stored Honey. If you enjoyed this week’s edition then please click ❤️ to help it get shown to more people.
I’m off now to plan my route for Wirral Open Studio Tour this weekend,
Hope you have a culture-filled week,
Laura
If you’re an artist, actor, theatre maker, curator, director or producer who would like to take part in Stored Honey’s regular Meet the Creator feature, please answer the questions in this Q&A or if you don’t like filling in forms I can send you the questions via email.
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