Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

This month’s theatre guide is eclectic to say the least. Punchy verbatim shows, comedy festivals and rave-fuelled Shakespeare feature in our top picks.

Autumn marks the start of another bright new theatre season. In Manchester, the Royal Exchange Theatre embraces the magic of the city’s rave culture with a fresh, contemporary production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. And over in Liverpool, our friends at the Everyman continue the theatre’s 60th birthday programme with Martin McDonagh’s sharp satire, The Lieutenant of Inishmore.

There’s still time to catch emerging Manchester-based theatre company Ordinary Glory with their debut show Joy Unspeakable, a verbatim work tackling disordered eating, at The Edge. Meanwhile, Ephemeral Ensemble bring their critically acclaimed Rewind to the Bluecoat – a startling show about the right to protest. The play offers a perceptive portrait of oppression in Latin America and aptly, takes to the stage on 11 September, the 51st anniversary of the military coup in Chile.

What else? Well, we’re highlighting the brand new edition of the Women in Comedy Festival, which returns for 11 days this October. Expect to see some of the UK’s funniest women and emerging female stand-ups at various venues throughout the Northern Quarter; Factory International present Traplord, a dynamic Olivier Award-winning performance from director and choreographer Ivan Michael Blackstock, and the 2022 Bruntwood Prize-winner, the super charming Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz heads to the Royal Exchange next month.

Read on for details of these and so much more.

Our top picks

Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Hope Mill Theatre

Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, Until 21 September 2024, from £23.00 - Book now

Packed with the same absurdity as the Wagatha Christie trial, Gwyneth Paltrow’s 2023 ski trial caught the imagination of the ever-brilliant Awkward Productions.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Hope Mill Theatre
Image courtesy of Awkward Productions.

A Raisin in the Sun at Leeds Playhouse

A Raisin in the Sun at Leeds Playhouse, Leeds, Until 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.

Everyman & Playhouse: 2024/25 Theatre Season

Everyman and Playhouse: 2024/25 Theatre Season, 21 September 2024–29 March 2025, from £11.00 - Book now

A busy and brilliant season – expect contemporary takes on Shakespeare, dazzling new musicals and shows to mark the Everyman’s 60th birthday. There’s plenty to enjoy in Liverpool’s theatres.

Image courtesy of Talawa. Artwork by Feast Creative.

Encounter Festival in Preston

Encounter Festival at Preston Flag Market, Lancashire, 21–22 September 2024, free entry - Find Out More

Expect a joyous weekend loaded with outdoor performances, live music, hands-on family events, and of course, Preston’s signature Torchlight Procession and firework display.

Fireworks above Sessions House at night.
Michael Porter

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, 21 September–12 October 2024, from £11.00 - Book now

60th birthday celebrations continue at Liverpool Everyman with Martin McDonagh’s savage and critically acclaimed masterpiece.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman
Image courtesy of Liverpool Everyman.

Lash at Waterside

Lash at Waterside, Manchester, 24 September 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Described as “part gig, part theatre”, this award-winning performance explores the excitement of going out and the role of lad culture in our world today.

Lash at Waterside
Image courtesy of Lawrence Batley Theatre.

As I am Naturally by Tania Camara at The Lowry

As I am Naturally by Tania Camara at The Lowry, Manchester, 26–27 September 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

A world premiere blending hypnotic storytelling with movement and live music, inspired by the traditional Cape Verde song and dance style, Batuku.

As I am Naturally by Tania Camara at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Tania Camara.

Traplord at Aviva Studios

Traplord at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 26–29 September 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Dance, live music and spoken word collide in this Olivier Award-winning performance from Ivan Michael Blackstock.

Traplord at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Furmaan Ahmed.

Women in Comedy Festival 2024

Women in Comedy Festival 2024 at The Frog and Bucket, Manchester, 3–13 October 2024, from £3.00 - Book now

Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival MCR returns with its 11th bumper edition of top-notch comedy.

Women in Comedy Festival 2023
Image courtesy of Women in Comedy Festival.

Love It If We Beat Them at the National Football Museum

Love It If We Beat Them at National Football Museum, Manchester, 4–5 October 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Playing out in the Museum’s Pitch Gallery, football, family and politics are the name of the game in this smartly written drama.

Love It If We Beat Them at the National Football Museum
Image courtesy of Emmerson & Ward Productions.

Feel Me at HOME

Feel Me at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 9–10 October 2024, from £20.00 - Book now

Interactive and provocative, The Paper Birds’ new show looks at empathy and connection, and actively encourages the audience to use their mobile phone throughout.

Feel Me at HOME: A girls face is cradled by multiple hands. The background is bright pink, with different symbols poking out including a house, heart emoji and pyramid.
Image courtesy of The Paper Birds.

Abigail’s Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Abigail's Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre at Blackpool Grand Theatre, Lancashire, 22–26 October 2024, from £19.50 - Book now

Booze flows, tensions boil and tempers alight – Mike Leigh’s iconic suburban comedy is given a new lease of life at Blackpool Grand.

Abigail's Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre
Image courtesy of Sean Conboy.

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 28–30 October 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Billed as a “love letter to Birmingham”, this Bruntwood Prize-winner explores Black masculinity through Beyoncé lyrics, techno raves and the deep connection between a man and his barber.

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz
Image courtesy of Rebecca Need-Menear.

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.

After the Act at HOME

After the Act at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 12–16 November 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

The ever-brilliant Breach Theatre bring a new scorching protest musical that traces the infamous Section 28 anti-gay legislation.

After the Act at HOME
Image courtesy of Alex Brenner/ Breach Theatre.

More theatre events

Manchester Science Festival 2024
FestivalsManchester
Manchester Science Festival 2024

Expect a packed programme of fun, family-friendly daytime activities and adults-only evening events spanning never-seen-before installations, live performance and interactive adventures.

Fireworks above Sessions House at night.
FestivalsLancashire
Encounter Festival in Preston

Expect a joyous weekend loaded with outdoor performances, live music, hands-on family events, and of course, Preston’s signature Torchlight Procession and firework display.

free entry
Spotlight on

Courses and Workshops in the North

Spanning an array of visual and textile arts, explore courses and workshops based in some of the North’s most distinctive locations.

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

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

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.

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 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.

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