Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, in this month’s theatre guide we pick out the shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

Shelagh Delaney’s iconic A Taste of Honey has started its run at the Royal Exchange. It’s one of our favourite plays and this defiant and fresh version – directed by Emma Baggott – is sure to resonate with contemporary audiences, a startling 65 years after it was first performed.

Meanwhile, over in Liverpool, the Everyman is gearing up for its 60th birthday celebrations – and what better way to mark the occasion than with three top-notch homegrown productions. The first, The Legend of Ned Ludd, is an innovative and daring work offering a unique and unpredictable performance experience at every show. Intrigued? Hit the link for the full preview.

In contrast, the award-winning queer performer Eloina Haines presents High Steaks at The Lowry later in April. This show was the talk of Edinburgh Fringe 2023 – and rightly so – it opens a deeply affecting conversation around labia shaming and cosmetic surgery.

What else? Well, we’ve got two timely landmark operas from the English Touring Opera; a powerful one-woman performance – inspired by the life and music of Nina Simone and Robin/Red/Breast, a chilling adaptation of a cult horror classic, starring Maxine Peake, at Aviva Studios.

Read on for details of these and so much more.

Our top picks

A Taste of Honey at the Royal Exchange Theatre

A Taste of Honey at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, Until 13 April 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Shelagh Delaney’s career-defining play is the next production in the Royal Exchange Theatre’s incredible 2024 Spring/ Summer Season.

A Taste of Honey at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Image courtesy of Johan Persson.

English Touring Opera at Buxton Opera House

English Touring Opera present Manon Lescaut and The Rake's Progress at Buxton Opera House, Sheffield, 4–6 April 2024, from £28.00 - Book now

We’re delighted that the English Touring Opera are back with another bold and fresh take on two landmark operas: Puccini’s Manon Lescaut and Igor Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress.

English Touring Opera at Buxton Opera House
Image courtesy of English Touring Opera.

The Legend of Ned Ludd at Liverpool Everyman Theatre

The Legend of Ned Ludd at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, 20 April–11 May 2024, from £11.00 - Book now

Live theatre, innovative storytelling and bold themes, this daring and unique new play has the full house. The first of three homegrown productions to mark the Everyman’s 60th birthday.

The Legend of Ned Ludd at Liverpool Everyman Theatre
Image courtesy of Liverpool Everyman.

The Kite Runner at Liverpool Playhouse

The Kite Runner at Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool, 23–27 April 2024, from £11.00 - Book now

Direct from Broadway and with two hugely successful West End seasons, The Kite Runner flies into Liverpool Playhouse this April.

The Kite Runner at Liverpool Playhouse
Image courtesy of Joan Marcus.

Jungle Book at Aviva Studios

Jungle Book at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 31 March 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Brought to the stage by visionary director Robert Wilson, this spellbinding production is like no version of Jungle Book we’ve seen before.

A scene from the stage adaptation of Jungle Book featuring 5 performers in costume
Image courtesy of Lucie Jansch.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice at Leeds Playhouse

Black Is the Color of My Voice at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds, 24–25 April 2024, from £25.00 - Book now

A vibrant show packed with soul, inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her iconic songs performed live.

A person singing and smiling. The background is black.
Image supplied by Leeds Inspired

High Steaks at The Lowry

High Steaks at The Lowry, Manchester, 27 April 2024, 0.00 -Pay-What-You-Decide - Book now

Eloina Haines’ one-woman show is a contemporary and deeply affecting performance about labia-shaming and cosmetic surgery.

A white woman with long brown hair sits naked on a table with her legs open. A silhouette of somebody’s head is blocking her breasts, stomach & vulva. She is looking down. Beef steaks that look like labia hang on either side of her.
Image courtesy of Eloina Haines.

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter’s

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter’s, Manchester, 10–12 May 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Dante or Die’s latest offsite production is a provocative work that imagines the first same-sex wedding in a UK prison.

Kiss Marry Kill at Hallé St Peter's
Image courtesy of Dante or Die

Robin/Red/Breast at Aviva Studios

Robin/Red/Breast at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 15–26 May 2024

Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight will join forces once again to present Robin/Red/Breast, a chilling adaptation of a cult horror classic.

Robin/Red/Breast at Aviva Studios
Maxine Peake headshot. Image courtesy of Paul Husband.

A Raisin in the Sun at Leeds Playhouse

A Raisin in the Sun at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds, 13–28 September 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

Director Tinuke Craig joins forces with leading theatre company Headlong for a fresh new production of A Raisin in the Sun.

A Raisin in the Sun at Leeds Playhouse
Artwork for the production. Image courtesy of Leeds Inspired.

Chicago at the Palace Theatre

Chicago at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 4–9 November 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

Sassy, sexy and packed with show-stopping numbers, the shimmy-shaking musical makes a dazzling return to Manchester.

Chicago at the Palace Theatre
Image courtesy of Tristram Kenton.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds, 5–9 November 2024, from £31.00 - Book now

A new production of the multi award-winning musical is set to tour the UK from autumn 2024, venues include Leeds Grand Theatre, Liverpool Empire and Palace Theatre Manchester.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre
Image courtesy of ATG Tickets.

More theatre events

A scene from the stage adaptation of Jungle Book featuring 5 performers in costume
Until
FamiliesManchester
Jungle Book at Aviva Studios

Brought to the stage by visionary director Robert Wilson, this spellbinding production is like no version of Jungle Book we’ve seen before.

from £10.00
Hedda at Contact
TheatreManchester
Hedda at Contact

Ibsen’s complex tale of power, jealousy and manipulation has been reimagined by the Shropshire-based theatre company Here to There Productions.

from £20.00
Easter Holidays in Manchester and the North
Spotlight on

Things to do over the Easter Holidays

Looking for some ideas to keep little and big kids as busy as the Easter bunny? Check out our guide.

Take me there

Theatre in Manchester and the North

Manchester
Park
Platt Fields Park

Platt Fields Park in Fallowfield is steeped in history, the land having been acquired by the Platt family in 1225.

HOME Manchester
Manchester
Theatre
HOME Manchester

Now back open with a packed schedule of events and things to do, HOME Manchester is one of the city’s leading hubs for arts and culture.

Cumbria
Event venue
Penrith Old Fire Station

Main venue for Eden Arts, an artist-led organisation based in Eden in Cumbria creating projects around mass participation, local distinctiveness and digital engagement, from Picnic Cinema to The Winter Droving.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade

In the MerseyMade shop you’ll find bottled gin from the likes of Turncoat Gin, Anfield Gin, Albert Dock Gin and Three Graces Gin. Yep, Liverpool REALLY likes its gin.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.