Ten great things to do in Manchester this week

New shows, new films, a theatre festival and some great music make for a fantastic week, so here are ten highlights not to be missed.

One Man Two Guvnors, The Lowry, Mon 12 - Sat 17 Jan, £16-£77
The National Theatre returns to The Lowry with this hit production for its third outing in Salford. If you haven't seen, you're missing a true comic gem, hilarious to the point of aching sides. If you have seen it, you might well want another chance to submit to the joy of it all. The scene with the waiter and the doorways might just be the funniest thing ever seen on a stage.

Re:play, Cornerhouse, Mon Jan 12 - Sat Jan 24 
Now in its ninth year, the festival presents a second chance to see eight pieces of work from the Manchester and Salford fringe . There's a great line up this year, and it's happening in a pop up space at what will be HOME's new home on First Street. 

Barrel of Laughs, Frog and Bucket, Fri Jan 16 - Sat Jan 17, £8-£19
Four comics, this weekend including Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Dan Nightingale, bring a bucket full of mirth to the regular night at one of the city's best comedy venues.

The Hallé, Bridegwater Hall, Thu Jan 15, £11-£39
A programme of Vaughan Williams and Shostakovich, with Sir Mark Elder conducting with Henning Kraggerud on violin. The evening includes the sublime Fantasia On A Theme by Thomas Tallis.

Spamalot, Opera House, Fri Jan 16 - Sat Jan 24, £13.40-£46.40 
Whether the return of the Pythonesque musical makes you look on the bright side of life or otherwise, the popularity of this most bizarre of musicals, (it has a very strange scene set in a gay club which is very dubious), seems as strong as ever.

Bollox, Bangkok Bar, Fri Jan 16, £5
Why watch a version of a gay club created by someone who doesn't seem to have been inside one, (see above), when you can go to one of the best real ones for a fraction of the price? 

The Lion King, Palace Theatre, Sat Jan 17 - Sun Feb 22, £20-£87.50
The cash cow, sorry, Lion King, returns for a run of over a month, now the most successful stage musical of all time. Not seen it? Wondering why it's so popular? Here's your chance to find out.

Die Antwoord, Albert Hall, Fri Jan 16, £19.50
The South African rap/rave outfit who seem to court controversy have their biggest UK show to date at Albert Hall. Their name means 'The Answer' in Afrikaans. Whether or not they have it is down to the question you ask...

Exploring Light at Pi: MOSI, Sat Jan 17, Free
Bring your bright sparks to see the mysteries of light at the first Pi for 2015. Witness levitating clouds, a laser that can copy a supernova and capture light in your very hands.

American Sniper, opens Fri Jan 16
Clint Eastwood directs Bradley Cooper in a story about what happens to an Iraq war vet as he returns to home and normal life. We gave it four stars (but no stripes).