Greater Manchester Fringe 2023

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Greater Manchester Fringe 2023
Performer Joe Leather in Wasteman (5 and 6 July at The King's Arms). Image courtesy of Corinne Cumming.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2023 at The Kings Arms, Chapel Street 1 — 31 July 2023 Entrance is free — Visit now

This July, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns for its 12th year. A huge celebration of theatre and performance in the North, we love that the festival offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

A diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

A creative hotbed of new work, the festival brings some of the most up-and-coming writers and performers to the region – many to showcase their work ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Springing up in a number of venues across the city, festival-goers will find an eclectic programme of drama, comedy, music, mime, children’s shows, storytelling, visual arts, spoken word and tours on offer. Most pleasingly, the festival comes with affordable ticket prices too – and some of the shows are completely free, offering access to a non-traditional theatre-going audience.

Spilling out across Greater Manchester, performances are taking place in a number of different venues including Salford Arts Theatre, Sonata Piano & Cabaret Lounge, the Art Garden at The Whitworth, The Fitzgerald, International Antony Burgess Foundation, The Squad House and The King’s Arms.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2023
Oriente Plus/ Power Cut at The Whitworth Art Garden ( 20 July). Image courtesy of Signdance Collective.

Highlights of the 2023 festival include Bolton-born Joe Leather’s drag-comedy performance – Wasteman – telling a real-life story of a bin man who swaps his steel-toed boots for stilettos in pursuit of becoming a drag queen. We’re also championing Oriente Plus/ Power Cut, a stunning Caribbean Gothic outdoor show in The Whitworth’s Art Garden with poetry, movement, song, live music, and BSL fully embedded within the performance. Meanwhile, Izzy Searle’s Baggy Bra also caught our eye –  a female-led body-positive show with a lot of heart – it recently debuted in London to a sell-out house.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2023
Izzy Searle’s show Baggy Bra is at the Squad House Stockport (27-29 July). Image courtesy of Izzy Searle.

Manchester Fringe audiences are the first in line to see brand-new theatre by some of the UK’s sharpest creatives.

We’re thrilled that Manchester Fringe audiences are the first in line to see brand-new theatre by some of the UK’s sharpest creatives. Furthermore, many of the Fringe’s past productions have gone on to be performed in some of the North’s established theatres, such as the Royal Exchange, HOME, Octagon Theatre Bolton and The Lowry.

A delightful chocolate box of performance with something for everyone.

Manchester Fringe Festival offers a delightful chocolate box of performance – there really is something for everyone.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2023 at The Kings Arms, Chapel Street 1 — 31 July 2023 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Greater Manchester Fringe 2023

Salford
Restaurant
The Egerton Arms

This old school pub not only offers a great selection of drinks and food, but also live music nights and a lively atmosphere.

The International 3
Chapel Street
The International 3

The International 3 is an exhibition and project space producing a year round programme of new commissions, solo shows, group exhibitions by emerging and established artists.

Manchester
Restaurant
Menagerie

Based in Salford, Menagerie is a bar and restaurant with a focus on luxury and theatrical thrills.

The Mark Addy riverside pub in Salford
Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Mark Addy

Was once pub dining at its very best. Modern British, locally inspired and sourced by acclaimed chef Robert Owen Brown.

Salford
Restaurant
Black Friar

Salford’s Black Friar has one of the most impressive Sunday roast options in the North.

What's on: Comedy

Until
ComedyManchester
Killer Comedy Club

Killer Comedy Club showcases “the UK’s best upcoming and coming comedians” for a night of roof-raising laughs, with pop-up nights all across the North West.

from £12
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

from £3
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

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.