Culture Guides
Destination Guides
Seasonal Guides
Check out our updated theatre guide for provocative dance, prosecco-popping outdoor performance and site-specific Shakespeare.
Heading up our guide is Beryl at Oldham Coliseum. Written by Maxine Peak, this is the true story of Beryl Burton, one of the world’s greatest unsung sporting heroes. There are only a handful of performances left – don’t miss out.
Elsewhere, the 2022 edition of SICK! Festival is in full swing and Pride in Trafford brings cabaret, comedy and storytelling to Sale and the surrounding area over the next few days.
HOME’s theatres are buzzing with top-notch performance too. In Theatre 1 we have Claudia Rankine’s The White Card, a ‘live debate play’ examining white privilege, cultural appropriation and race, and in Theatre 2 you’ll find Rashdash with Oh Mother. Meanwhile, dance lovers are in for a treat when two sensational companies take to The Lowry’s stage. Northern Ballet and Rambert – both stop off in Salford this month.
And we know summer is definitely on its way with the announcement of open air theatre. Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, timeless classic Little Women and best-loved children’s tale Stig of the Dump will play in rep at the magical Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this year.
Read on for even more unmissable theatre, including dance-circus from Motionhouse and Shakespeare in a swimming pool. It’s all happening in Manchester and across the North over the next few months.
Here are our picks
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1. Oh Mother at HOME
Image courtesy of The Other Richard. Oh Mother at HOME Manchester, Manchester, Until 28 May 2022 - Book now
Created in the heat of love, exhaustion and chaos, RashDash’s new show is all about having – and becoming – a mother.
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2. Passion at Hope Mill Theatre
Image courtesy of Mark Senior. Passion at Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, Until 5 June 2022, from £39.50 - Book now
Led by the incredible Olivier Award-winning musical icon Ruthie Henshall – don’t miss this dynamic new revival of Stephen Sondheim’s most powerful works.
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3. Corrina, Corrina at Liverpool Everyman
Image courtesy of Liverpool Everyman/ Headlong. Corrina, Corrina by Chloe Moss at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, City Centre, Until 4 June 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
Explore a twisted world of power dynamics, superstitions and revenge, in this world premiere that sees the Everyman stage transformed into the bow of a ship.
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4. Rambert – Dance at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Rambert. -
5. Company Chameleon Studios
Image courtesy of Company Chameleon. -
6. Ejaculation Falls at Z-arts
Image courtesy of Sirkku Rosi. -
7. Everything I Didn’t Say at The Lowry
Image courtesy of On The Run Theatre. -
8. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Pamela Raith. -
9. Nobody at Storyhouse
Image courtesy of Dan Tucker. -
10. Rock/Paper/Scissors at Sheffield Theatres
Image courtesy of Sheffield Theatres. Rock/ Paper/ Scissors at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, City Centre, 16 June–2 July 2022, from £15.00 - Book now
Chris Bush’s new trilogy of interconnected plays for Sheffield Theatres will use all three theatres – the Crucible, Lyceum and the Studio – as a single cast dash from one stage to the next…
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11. Double Murder at HOME
Image courtesy of Hofesh Shechter/ HOME. Double Murder at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 22–25 June 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
Internationally celebrated choreographer Hofesh Shechter returns to HOME with Double Murder, a thrilling new contemporary double bill of dance.
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12. Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Image courtesy of Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park, Chester, 1 July–28 August 2022, from £28.00 - Book now
Don’t miss one of the greatest love stories ever told when it comes to Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre this summer. Theatre and fresh air. Perfect.
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13. Much Ado About Nothing at Victoria Baths
Image courtesy of Victoria Baths. Much Ado About Nothing at Victoria Baths, Manchester, 7 July 2022, from £14.00 - Book now
Think deck chairs, knotted handkerchiefs, ‘50s style dancing and beautiful vintage costumes for Time & Again Theatre’s adaptation of this Shakespeare comedy.
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14. The Book Thief at Octagon Theatre Bolton
Image courtesy of Bolton Octagon. The Book Thief at Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 17 September–15 October 2022, from £15.00 - Book now
Seen on stage for the very first time and opening the Octagon’s autumn/ winter season, don’t miss this world premiere stage show of Markus Zusak’s best-selling novel.
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15. Let The Right One In at the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange Theatre. Let The Right One In at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 22 October–19 November 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
A deeply moving piece of theatre – as enchanting as it is brutal – Let The Right One In tells a chilling and beautiful coming-of-age vampire love story.
More in Theatre
SICK! Festival 2022
Art and creativity meet health once again in this year’s edition of SICK! Festival, with an outstanding international arts programme right on our doorstep.
Full English at Theatre Royal Wakefield
Devoted to anyone who has ever experienced difficulties or injustice because of their ethnic background, Full English plays in Wakefield.
Opera North’s Parsifal at Leeds Grand Theatre
Parsifal – Wagner’s final opera expressing his ‘farewell to the world’ comes to Leeds Grand Theatre this June.
The Lands Heart is Greater Than Its Map
The Lands Heart is Greater Than Its Map is a guided tour theatre performance that lets you explore two cities and two circumstances simultaneously.
We Should Definitely Have More Dancing at Oldham Coliseum
A real-life story and world premiere about a care-free, happily single young woman whose world is turned upside down with the arrival of a fist-sized tumour in her head.
Footloose at The Alhambra Theatre
Coming to Bradford in May, Footloose is an effervescent show based on the 1980s screen sensation which took the world by storm.
Things I Know to be True at Hebden Bridge Little Theatre
Things I Know to be True is a deeply intimate drama about family life and conflicts, featuring powerful physical theatre choreography.
Thick as Thieves at The Viaduct Theatre
An anarchic comic drama about two career convicts, Steph & Barry, and a budgie brought to The Viaduct Theatre by Foot of the Barrel – Viaduct comic favourites
Give a Little Love & Godfrey’s Last Stand at The Viaduct Theatre
An award-winning playwright Alan Stockdill, and his company Talking Stock, will perform two plays with seemingly opposing themes, yet both packed with touching emotions and entertainment.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
Whatever the weather, we’ve got tonnes of new art for you to enjoy. This month we bring you lots of choice: from large, all-encompassing displays to smaller and equally as interesting shows to suit all tastes.
Literature
Live literature has plenty for readers and writers alike this spring, with emerging names and established authors taking to a mic near you, along with the opportunity to perform or put pen to paper yourself. There’s lots to listen to in real life and there are still opportunities to join in to events online. Read more here…
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Food and Drink
Enjoy spring and summer at some of the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
Tours and Activities
Discover a new hobby, experience the most deliciously diverse area of Manchester’s city centre and explore the city’s infamous music scene in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.
Destination Guides
Related Guides
Food and Drink
Enjoy spring and summer at some of the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North.
Exhibitions
Whatever the weather, we’ve got tonnes of new art for you to enjoy. This month we bring you lots of choice: from large, all-encompassing displays to smaller and equally as interesting shows to suit all tastes.
Vegetarian Food in Manchester
We’ve gathered together a handpicked list of some of our favourite vegetarian places in Manchester – meaning you need never suffer a stuffed pepper ever again.
Theatres in Manchester
If you’re looking for theatre in Manchester, these are our top places to explore.
Theatres in Liverpool
You’ll find a varied programme across our guide to Liverpool’s best theatres.
Families
With summer just around the corner, here are some of the best family-friendly events taking place in Manchester and the North in the coming months, both indoors and outdoors, so you can enjoy a fun trip out with your family come rain or shine!
