Comedian Jason Manford will be performing a one-man show at the Lowry this weekend to mark the one year anniversary of the first lockdown.

The Salfordian star won't rehearse and won't see the script until he is actually on stage.

He'll be handed the text at the beginning of the live-streamed event and will immediately read it to the audience at home.

The show, White Rabbit Red Rabbit by Aurora Nova and Nassim Soleimanpour, is one of the most widely performed plays in the world – having been translated into over 30 languages and performed by some of the most respected actors in the business.

Those who have already tackled the award-winning play include Stephen Fry, Whoopi Golberg, John Hurt, Nathan Lane, Marcus Brigstocke and Sinead Cusack.

The event on Saturday from The Lowry theatre will run at the same time as 100 other performances across the globe.

It will mark the anniversary of the day most theatres had to shut their doors due to the pandemic - few have been able to reopen since.

All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Lowry's Emergency Appeal.

Jason said: "I’m proud to be following in the footsteps of some truly great actors in performing White Rabbit Red Rabbit.

"It’s a very sad anniversary that we've reached, but the end is in sight and I hope this event raises lots of much-needed funds to support The Lowry through this difficult time."

Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: "We’re proud to be taking part in this global event to highlight the longest theatre shutdown in modern history.

"Jason is no stranger to The Lowry and we couldn’t think of a better Salford voice to take on the task of performing White Rabbit Red Rabbit."

Tickets for the live-streamed theatre show are available now at thelowry.com/whats-on/white-rabbit-red-rabbit.