City news in 250 words: Thursday 28 April

RIOT cops burst in on a rehearsing drama group in a Northern Quarter building after a 999 caller thought an assault was taking place. Four members of the Happystorm Theatre company thought the Oldham Street building was empty but workers at the same address called the police when they heard screaming. Group member Susi Wrenshaw said it was hard to convince officers they were just acting.

ICE cream maker Ben & Jerry’s will be holding a music festival at Heaton Park. A major music festival will be held in Manchester for the first time this summer. The Ben & Jerry’s Sundae event will take place on July 23-24. The line-up has yet to be announced but around 30,000 visitors are expected. Last year’s event in London featured Billy Bragg, Doves and Cherry Ghost. Tickets go on sale on May 31.

THERE’S a royal wedding tomorrow. More than 30 roads will be closed across Manchester as the city celebrates. Chorlton has the most parties, with six street closures, including Chorlton Green. There are five in Didsbury and two each in Burnage, Wythenshawe, Withington and Longsight. Parts of the Northern Quarter will be closed. There are also closures in Moss Side, Longsight, Hulme, Moston and Rusholme.

ACTRESS Amanda Burton has left TV drama Waterloo Road. She played headteacher Karen Fisher in the Rochdale-filmed BBC1 series. Her character will be seen on screen for a further 10 weeks, becoming involved in a relationship with new school caretaker Rob Scotcher, played by Robson Green.

FACT OF THE DAY (via @revealmcr): This week in April 1773 a survey was filed at Chetham’s Library showing Manchester to have 8,402 houses and Salford 866.