Royal Exchange Theatre
Demi Sheridan, Editorial AssistantVisit now
Royal Exchange Theatre
- Monday11:00am - 5:00pm
- Tuesday11:00am - 5:00pm
- Wednesday11:00am - 5:00pm
- Thursday11:00am - 5:00pm
- Friday9:30am - 5:00pm
- Saturday11:00am - 5:00pm
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
If Manchester had a theatre that felt like no other, it would be the Royal Exchange. It started life as a cotton exchange back in the Victorian era, but in 1973 it found a new calling and became a theatre. Then came the 1996 IRA bomb, which tore through the city centre and left the building badly damaged. Two years and £32 million later, it reopened with a seven-sided glass and steel theatre-in-the-round dropped right into the middle of the Victorian Great Hall. It looks a bit like a stage from another planet, and that’s part of the charm.
Inside, the Royal Exchange does a bit of everything. Classics rub shoulders with contemporary plays and new writing. Every seat feels close to the action, thanks to that round stage. Actors like Maxine Peake, Cush Jumbo, Helen Mirren and John Thaw have all taken to it over the years. Productions have ranged from Hamlet to The Duchess of Malfi, from Arthur Miller to Pinter. It’s the kind of place where you never quite know what you’ll see next, but you know it will land.
There’s more than the stage, too. A lounge doubles as a family-friendly spot with books and games. The Rivals Bar & Café keeps drinks and snacks flowing before or after a show. And with its central location, it’s an easy stop whether you’re popping in after work or planning a full evening out.
The Royal Exchange is part of Manchester’s story, a place where history, architecture and a little theatrical magic collide. It’s not just a theatre. It’s a space that surprises, delights and makes even the most casual visitor feel like part of the performance.
