The Greatest Play In The History Of The World at Royal Exchange

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

The Greatest Play In The History of The World

Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre
20-29 September 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

The Greatest Play in the History of the World
Jonathan Keenan
Book now

If you weren’t able to catch The Greatest Play In The History Of The World at Manchester’s Royal Exchange the first time, then you’ll be pleased to hear that it is returning to The Studio this September. Following its sold-out run at Manchester’s Royal Exchange last season and wielding awards from Edinburgh Fringe, The Greatest Play In The History Of The World is a love story, set on Preston Road, and also in space and in time.

The Greatest Play In The History Of The World is a one-woman show performed by Julie Hesmondhalgh, written by her husband Ian Kershaw. This beautiful, lightly sci-fi story details how two neighbours meet in the early hours of the morning when they can’t sleep and time has come to a halt.

A man wakes in the middle of the night to discover that the world has stopped. Through the crack in his bedroom curtains, he can see no signs of life at all…other than a light in the house opposite where a woman in an over-sized Bowie T-shirt stands, looking back at him. The Greatest Play In The History Of The World is a play packed full of exquisite observation and soul-stirring beauty.

Under Raz Shaw’s direction, The Greatest Play in the History of the World draws on the most heart-warming elements of life: finding love, feeling loved for 50 years, and finding your place in the universe.

What's on at Royal Exchange Theatre

Where to go near The Greatest Play In The History Of The World at Royal Exchange

CUPRA City Garage DJ Decks
City Centre
Café or Coffee Shop
CUPRA City Garage

Already based in Paris, Mexico City, Sydney and Vienna, CUPRA’s international expansion is driven by culture as much as cars, and Manchester’s creative energy has clearly caught their attention.

St Ann’s Square
City Centre
Park
St Ann’s Square

St Ann’s Square is a quiet little enclave of shops, with Barton’s Arcade set back from it on one side, and St Ann’s Church, which dates back to 1712 and…

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
City Centre
Shop
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

AKA cyclist heaven, Rapha is more than just a cycle-wear shop. It’s a place for anyone who loves cycling to congregate and celebrate the sport together.

City Centre
King Street Manchester

King Street is one of the most picturesque parts of Manchester with buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse and C.R. Cockerell. Once Manchester’s financial epicenter, it’s now home to high-end retail and fine dining.

City Centre
Restaurant
Lunya Manchester

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s Barton Arcade. Here are the venue details.

City Centre
Shop
Aston’s Of Manchester

In Royal Exchange Arcade, Aston’s of Manchester is a tobacconist that recently branched out into whisky sales. In their shop you’ll find an interesting selection of bottles to buy, including

What's on: Theatre

–
TheatreManchester
FAMEHUNGRY at HOME

Louise Orwin takes on the TikTok algorithm in FAMEHUNGRY, a funny, unpredictable theatrical experiment exploring art, fame and online attention.

From £11.20
Compass Festival 2026
Until
FestivalsLeeds
Compass Festival 2026

With interactive encounters and live performance, Compass Festival is set to animate the city of Leeds once again this November.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre

The nights are drawing in. Theatre across the North is refusing to play it safe. November brings experimental performance, queer comedy and plenty of surprises.

Exhibitions

It’s a good season for contemporary art fans in Manchester, with many of our favourite small galleries launching something big.

Food and Drink in the North

It's that time of year where tinsel and Santa take over. Here's the festive guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.

Music

Grubby dance music meets high-gloss hyperpop and wildly ambitious opera in our latest music guide.

Emily Lloyd-Saini as Grace in Space and Harrie Hayes as Lieutenant Strong in Horrible Science
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Poet Helen Mort.
Literature Events in the North

One to add to your TBR pile, our latest round-up is a bumper edition and features some amazing events in Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and beyond...