Theatre

Theatre in Manchester and the North

Andrew Anderson, Theatre Editor

Last Updated 19 June 2017

Let’s start with a smile. He might be a big star, but Phil Jupitus isn’t afraid of a small stage, with his new improv show Achtung! / Acting getting a test run at the Kings Arms. We’ve also got home-grown comedy talent with Sophie Willan, whose stand up set Branded is coming to Contact.

Fathers get a look in too, with critically acclaimed French play The Father on at Oldham Coliseum, while Simon Stephens’ Fatherland will soon be on the Royal Exchange stage.

Fancy a jaunt out to the countryside? Why not give Jane Eyre a try, a promenade piece taking place near the picturesque town of Bakewell in Derbyshire. Or, if you fancy a classic closer to home, there’s always Persuasion at the Royal Exchange.

Finally, let’s not forget that MIF isn’t far away, with dance piece 10,000 Gestures and Returning to Reims both looking promising.

Here are our picks

1. The Father at Oldham Coliseum

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

The Father at Oldham Coliseum, 16 June–1 July 2017, from £14.50 - Book now

A King Lear for the 21st century, The Father provides an intelligent and moving insight into the problems of ageing.

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2. Phill Jupitus: Achtung! / Acting! at Kings Arms

Phill Jupitus: Achtung! / Acting! at The Kings Arms, Chapel Street, 14 July 2017, from £8.00 - Book now

Bring along your curiosity and get up-close and personal with one of Britain’s favourite comic talents.

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3. Sophie Willan: Branded at Contact

© Steve Ullathorne

Sophie Willan: Branded at Contact Theatre, Manchester, 28 June–1 July 2017, from £07.00 - Book now

Sophie Willan is a pity-free laughter machine, whose mirth-filled self examinations are not to be missed.

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4. MIF17: 10000 Gestures at Mayfield Depot

Donald Christie

MIF17: 10000 Gestures at Mayfield Depot at Mayfield Depot, Manchester, 13–15 July 2017, from £12.00 - Book now

Chaotic, captivating and downright crazy, 10,000 Gestures is a perfect bit of MIF programming.

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5. MIF17: Returning to Reims at HOME

Jérémie Cuvillier

MIF17: Returning to Reims at HOME at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 5–14 July 2017, from £12.00 - Book now

Returning to Reims deals with the important ideas of our age – identity, activism and populist political movements – in a new play directed by Thomas Ostermeier.

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6. MIF17: Fatherland at Royal Exchange

Perou

MIF17: Fatherland at Royal Exchange at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 1–15 July 2017, from £12.00 - Book now

Created by Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham, Karl Hyde from Underworld and playwright Simon Stephens, Fatherland is a bold, ambitious show about contemporary fatherhood in all its complexities and contradictions.

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