Culture Guides
Destination Guides
With all of the big Christmas shows about to start their runs, our theatre guide to Manchester and the North has a distinctly festive feel about it this month.
Following the huge success of The Producers in Manchester last year, Gypsy will play in-the-round at the Royal Exchange, bringing the glitz and grit of Broadway to Manchester this festive season. We’re also thrilled that Contact are welcoming back Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme for a fabulous all-new two queen Christmas extravaganza at The Palace. Be quick though- this event is for one-night-only.
For those looking to put off the seasonal cheer for a little longer – check out Bryony Kimmings’ I’m a Phoenix, Bitch, and Manchester dance favourites Company Chameleon at HOME Manchester.
Read on for details of all of this and much, much more.
Enjoy!
Here are our picks
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1. Jack and the Beanstalk at Oldham Coliseum
Image courtesy of Darren Robinson Jack and the Beanstalk at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester, 16 November 2019–11 January 2020, from £13.50 - Book now
Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s annual pantomime is a renowned festive treat – expect hit songs, silliness, a sprinkling of fairy dust and a generous helping of It’s Behind You!
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2. Lola at The Lowry
Heidi Honkala -
3. 2084 at Manchester Central Library
Image courtesy of Immersive 2084 2084 at Manchester Central Library, Manchester, 22 November–14 December 2019, from £15.00 - Book now
Step into Manchester Central Library after hours and experience a performance inspired by George Orwell’s dystopian literary masterpiece.
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4. The Shadow at HOME
Image courtesy of HOME Manchester. The Shadow at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 22–23 November 2019, from £12.00 - Book now
In this world premiere performance, Company Chameleon explore the hidden parts of the unconscious mind and the darker side of our personalities.
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5. Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto: Sleeping Beauty at Liverpool Everyman
Photo by Robert Day. The Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll panto Sleeping Beauty at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, City Centre, 23 November 2019–18 January 2020, from £15.00 - Book now
Well, it wouldn’t be Christmas without a trip to see Liverpool’s jukebox-sensational Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, would it?
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6. Bryony Kimmings: I’m a Phoenix, Bitch at HOME
Image courtesy of The Other Richard. I’m a Phoenix, Bitch at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 26–30 November 2019, from £18.00 - Book now
Bryony Kimmings presents her acclaimed dark and joyful work about motherhood, heartbreak and finding inner strength.
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7. Gypsy at the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange Gypsy at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 30 November 2019–25 January 2020, from £25.50 - Book now
Step into the world of show business, with all its grit and glamour, at the Royal Exchange this Christmas.
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8. All I Want for Christmas is Attention at the Palace Theatre
All I Want for Christmas is Attention at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 1 December 2019, 7:30 pm–10:00 pm, from £16.90 - Book now
Contact welcome back BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon for a brand new, double the fun, Christmas extravaganza at the Palace Theatre.
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9. Treasure Island at the University of Bolton Stadium
Image courtesy of Octagon Theatre Treasure Island at Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 5–28 December 2019, from £15.00 - Book now
Bursting with music and song, the thrilling tale of ‘buccaneers and buried gold’ sails into Bolton just in time for Christmas.
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10. The Manchester Project at Christmas at HOME
HOME The Manchester Project at Christmas at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 5–21 December 2019, from £20.00 - Book now
Experience Manchester at the most wonderful time of the year. Monkeywood Theatre style.
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11. Miracle on 34th Street at Liverpool Playhouse
Image courtesy of Mark McNulty Miracle on 34th Street at Liverpool Playhouse, City Centre, 7 December 2019–4 January 2020, from £10.00 - Book now
Featuring timeless festive songs like ‘It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas’, Miracle on 34th Street is set to get the whole family into the festive swing of things.
More in Theatre
Everyman & Playhouse Autumn Season
A busy and brilliant season, expect award-winning musicals, stage adaptations of revered literary classics and celebrated cult films, alongside high-quality family shows. There is plenty to enjoy in Liverpool’s theatres this autumn.
Mr Popper’s Penguins at Waterside Arts
With original songs and skilled puppetry, this musical adaptation of the hit book, Mr Popper’s Penguins, is a real Christmas treat for the whole family.
The Shadow at The Arts Centre, Edge Hill University
Company Chameleon present a dark and psychological thriller told through dance and movement.
Dead Men’s Eyes at The Met, Bury
In this one-man show, R M Lloyd Parry performs two chilling and thrilling tales by ghost story expert M R James: A View From A Hill and The Treasure Of Abbot Thomas.
Back To The Future The Musical at Manchester Opera House
Turn your flux capacitor on and set your destination to the Manchester Opera House in the year 2020. Your future depends on it.
House of Suarez + Contact: Vogue Ball 2020 at Manchester Academy
Daring, fabulous and with a nautical twist for 2020, House of Suarez are back to host the ultimate battle for dance supremacy.
West Side Story at the Royal Exchange
Powerful and fast-paced and heart-breaking, we’re thrilled to hear that West Side Story will return to the Royal Exchange next spring.
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