The cards are in your favour as Carmen waltzes into the Lowry theatre for Opera North’s new, sensual production. The French treasure, written by Georges Bizet in 1875 is infused with a Spanish flair and blends it extensive, lavish love story with a compelling score.

Serving up a culinary story based on the 2007 film, lyricist Sara Bareilles has revamped the indulgent romcom about pie genius Jenna as she remains trapped in a small town and a loveless marriage.

The times, they are a-changin’ and the latest instalment to the DC universe is far from the spectacle we have come to expect from the standard superhero movie. Bringing more nuance than deserved to a comic book character whose origins began with a pow, bang and wallop, 2019’s Joker has stripped sentimentality for the Wayne’s, reworking the off-kilter criminals roots to form a budding rivalry assigned by status.