Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Last Updated 16 March 2020

Bringing opera, dance, fierce experimental performance and new writing, there’s much to enjoy in our guide to the best theatre in Manchester and the North.

The theatre show on everyone’s lips is Back to the Future the Musical, which is currently playing at Manchester Opera House. Audiences so far have been blown away by this phenomenal show; so turn your flux capacitor on and get ready for 1.21 gigawatts of excitement.

Book now to see Winsome Pinnock’s Rockets and Blue Lights at the Royal Exchange. Winner of the Alfred Fagon Award, this is an extraordinary play exploring Great Britain’s role in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. And The Long Goodbye at Mayfield – a world premiere rap and music piece, by Riz Ahmed, commissioned by Manchester International Festival.

Elsewhere – we’re championing a new play from award-winning playwright Chloë Moss – Run Sister Run at Sheffield’s Crucible Studio, and the Rudyard Kipling classic, The Jungle Book at Oldham Coliseum.

Looking further ahead…We recommend the English National Ballet’s stunning version of the classic ballet, Raymonda, which pirouettes into the Palace Theatre this October.

Read on for details of all of these performances and much more…

Here are our picks

1. Back To The Future The Musical at Manchester Opera House – CANCELLED

Image courtesy of ATG

Back To The Future The Musical at Manchester Opera House, City Centre, Until 17 May 2020, from £19.95 - Book now

This event has been cancelled due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19.

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2. The Jungle Book at Oldham Coliseum

The Jungle Book at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester, Until 19 April 2020, from £17.00 - Book now

This brilliant musical version of the Rudyard Kipling classic comes to Oldham. The perfect treat for the whole family this Easter.

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3. English Touring Opera at Storyhouse

Image courtesy of English Touring Opera.

English Touring Opera at Storyhouse at Storyhouse, Chester, 7–9 April 2020, from £20.50 - Book now

English Touring Opera returns to Chester this spring with a stunning trio: Handel’s Giulio Cesare, Mozart’s Così Fan Tutte, and J.S Bach’s St John Passion.

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4. Week 53 Festival 2020

Image courtesy of Le Gateau Chocolat - Pandora by Christa Holka.

Week 53 Festival at The Lowry, Manchester, 24 April–3 May 2020 - Book now

From interactive poker games, aerial performance and Street Culture, Week 53 celebrates bold and brilliant contemporary performance.

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5. Peaches Christ: Addams Apple Family Values at HOME

HOME

Peaches Christ: Addams Apple Family Values at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 27–30 May 2020, from £31.00 - Book now

Following the hugely successful Drag Becomes Her last year, Peaches Christ and crew take on the Addams Family in this fabulous drag parody.

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6. English National Ballet: Raymonda at The Palace Theatre

Image courtesy of Karolina Kuras.

English National Ballet - Raymonda at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 15–17 October 2020, from £13.00 - Book now

Artistic Director of the English National Ballet, Tamara Rojo brings a new version of this rarely performed ballet to Manchester.

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Classical Music 7 April 2020 7:30 pm, from £20.50

English Touring Opera: Giulio Cesare at Storyhouse

A story of passion and revenge, English Touring Opera bring one of Handel’s most celebrated operas to Chester.

Classical Music 8 April 2020 7:30 pm, from £20.50

English Touring Opera: Così Fan Tutte at Storyhouse

Often considered Mozart’s most perfect opera, Così Fan Tutte is a glorious combination of farcical comedy and music.

Theatre 9 April 2020 7:30 pm, from £20.50

English Touring Opera: St John Passion at Storyhouse

Following their hugely successful performances of Bach’s great choral masterpieces, the English Touring Opera will present St John Passion.

Theatre 18 April–23 May 2020, from £10.00

West Side Story at the Royal Exchange

Powerful and fast-paced and heart-breaking, following a phenomenal run last year, we’re thrilled that West Side Story returns to the Royal Exchange this April.

Comedy 23 September 2020 7:30 pm, from £25.00

Adam Kay: This is Going to Hurt at The Palace Theatre

In a painfully funny evening of music and stand-up, award-winning comedian Adam Kay shares entries from his diaries as a junior doctor.

Culture Guides

Cinema

Cinemas might be closed but independent venues and distributors need any help they can get. We look at some films you can stream and places to donate.

Phoebe Davies: Points of Rupture at Site Gallery in Sheffield

Exhibitions

Art and women’s wrestling, Ancient Akkadian gravesites and invented artefacts – check out this month’s pick of exhibitions from across the north.

The elves and the shoemaker. Two green puppets with a male and female actor either side of them.

Families

Need some inspiration for fun and creative family days out? Look no further than our top picks for families across Manchester and the north.

Carcanet exhibition: Carcanet poets Michael Schmidt and Michael Symmons Roberts.

Literature

News of books just out and books worth revisiting, even if you can’t get to the events yourself. Plus a fabulous new exhibition about independent publisher Carcanet, on for the next six months…