A short break from the Bank Holiday-Fest that is May this year and once you have taken down the bunting - or emerged from the TV-less darkened room it is time to see what Manchester has to offer on the entertainment front - and there is plenty.

So here is my pick of what not to miss this week.

LOWRY - Yes Prime Minister - the West End hit spin off from the famed TV series opens on Monday 9 May. At the same venue on Wednesday 11 May anarchic comic Alexi Sayle brings his Stalin Ate My Homework.

MANCHESTER ART GALLERY - There is stil time to catch the Anish Kapoor Flashback which is at the gallery until Sunday 5 June.

CHINESE ARTS CENTRE - Has a new sound installation by Anjie Atmadjaja opening on Friday 13 May.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM NORTH - Two exhibitions to see Ocean's Apart Stories of children Evacuated Overseas and The Big Picture Show

ROYAL EXCHANGE - Arthur Miller's masterpiece A View From The Bridge opens 18 May - meanwhile the theatre is searching for aspiring new talent to be part of Truth about Youth Showcase