Free things to do this week ft. King Lear, Homeless Sculpture + more

King Lear Screening at HOME
Actor Don Warrington – perhaps best known to older readers for his turn in the sitcom Rising Damp – attracted rave reviews for portrayal of King Lear during the play’s run at The Royal Exchange earlier this year. If you missed his barnstorming performance, you’ve got another chance this Wednesday, as HOME presents a special screening of the full cast recording. The screening is followed by a panel discussion with Shreela Ghosh from the British Council, director Michael Buffong, actor Shreela Ghosh and Warrington himself. The afternoon is capped off with a drinks reception.
Wed 26 Oct, 2 Tony Wilson Place, First Street, Manchester, M15 4FN. 12.30pm – 7pm, www.shakespearelives.org

Comedy Balloon Women in Comedy Special at Ape & Apple
Celebrating its 17th birthday party last month, The Comedy Balloon is one of Manchester’s oldest comedy institutions, and its tried-and-tested formula has barely changed in the past two decades: Free entry with short sets from new acts, and new material from more-established acts. With Manchester’s annual Women in Comedy Festival running through this week, the Balloon are shaking things up with all-female lineup providing small snippets of the best of the festival, including Karen Hobbs, who’ll be delivering a taster of her show Tumour Has It.
Wed 26 Oct, Ape & Apple, 28-30 John Dalton Street, Manchester, M2 6HQ. 7.30pm – 11pm, www.facebook.com

Homeless Sculpture Study Day at The Whitworth
This day-long series of talks and panel discussions looks at the subject of Homeless Sculpture: This isn’t to say sculpture made by homeless people, or depicting homeless people, but sculpture that is itself homeless. Throughout the sessions, contributing academics and critics will be discussing the practice of sculpture and its divorce from a sense of place, as well as many other topics surrounding the medium.
Thu 27 Oct, The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 10am -5pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk

Rainbow Makers at The Whitworth (pictured)
If you stick around at The Whitworth for the evening, you’ll be able to take advantage of this fun event. Danish artist Tine Bech is bringing Rainbow Makers to the gallery for one night only: It’s a grown-ups only treasure hunt through the darkened museum wearing specially constructed light-up vests. This one isn’t totally free, but is very reasonably priced at £2.75 a head. Hunting slots are 45 minutes long, and can be booked through Eventbrite using the link below.
Thu 27 Oct, The Whitworth, The University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6ER. 6.30pm – 10.30pm, www.eventbrite.co.uk