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Theatre in the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Our theatre guide is as eclectic as ever – think inventive reworkings, world-class dance, and Greater Manchester’s very first Improv Festival.

Looking for theatre happening now? Head over to HOME where Emma Rice and Wise Children switch out cool suspense for high style as they present their take on Alfred Hitchcock’s North by Northwest. Meanwhile, Shakespeare’s great tragedy meets Radiohead’s seminal album in the eagerly awaited Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios.

Elsewhere, a FREE dance festival is happening just a short hop from Manchester. Worth travelling for, Now Northwich brings together performance from the likes of Company Chameleon, Global Grooves, Gorilla Circus, Sole Rebel and Northwich’s very own Ben Wilson. Don’t miss out.

What else? Aakash Odedra Company bring their stunning five-star show – Songs of the Bulbul – to Lowry as part of the venue’s 25th anniversary celebrations, and the West End hit play Myra’s Story, tackling addiction and homelessness, also comes to Salford in June.

We’re also championing the first-ever Greater Manchester Improv Festival at the Kings Arms and a new edition of Plays For The People at Shakespeare North Playhouse. If you’re looking for something a little off-beat and impromptu, these are your tickets.

Read on for details of all of this and more.

Our top picks

Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios

Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios, Manchester, Until 18 May 2025, from £10.00 - Book now

A thrilling adaptation blending Shakespeare’s great tragedy with Radiohead’s seminal album in an intoxicating blend of theatre, music, and movement.

Find out more
Hamlet Hail to the Thief: The cover of Radiohead’s Hail to the Thief – which is a collage of colourful text blocks stacked on top of each other. The text has been replaced by words from Hamlet.
Factory International

Pride in Trafford 2025

Pride in Trafford at Waterside, Manchester, Until 18 May 2025, from £0.00 - Book now

Trafford’s six-day annual celebration of LGBTQ+ arts is back for 2025. Expect performance, comedy, conversation and family fun.

Find out more
Pride in Trafford
Image courtesy of Dawn Kilner.

The Bradford Progress

The Bradford Progress at City Park, Bradford, 17–18 May 2025, free entry - Find Out More

Bradford celebrates its rich musical landscape with a two-day promenade performance led by Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller, Charles Hazlewood and Paraorchestra.

Find out more
A man in a black mac and black rain hat plays a double bass on some rocks in the countryside.
Karol Wyszynski

Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes at Aviva Studios

Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 25–29 May 2025, from £27.50 - Book now

It was a huge hit at MIF23 and went on to tour the world. We’re thrilled that Benji Reid’s acclaimed live photography show returns to Manchester this spring.

Find out more
Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes at Aviva Studios: A chroreographed image a person kneeling on a pedestal in a sea green outfit, looking to the left with a bowl covering their face in front of a white light on a bluebackground
Benji Reid

Myra’s Story at Lowry

Myra's Story at Lowry, Manchester, 29–30 May 2025, from £28.50 - Book now

Direct from London’s West End, a critically acclaimed play shining a light on homelessness, addiction and resilience through one woman’s unforgettable story.

Find out more
Myra's Story at Lowry
Image courtesy of Danny Kaan.

Dear England at The Lowry

Dear England at Lowry, Manchester, 29 May–29 June 2025 - Book now

Don’t miss James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning, big-hearted, ‘pitch-perfect’ celebration of football when it comes to Salford.

Find out more
This is England at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Marc Brenner.

Static at Unity Theatre

Static at Unity Theatre, Liverpool, Liverpool, 30 May 2025, from £12.00 - Book now

Fiercely personal, Elaine Collins’ new semi-autobiographical solo show about memories, misfits and the messy side of showbiz is a must-see this May.

Find out more
Static at Unity Theatre.
Elaine Collins performing in her solo show, Static. Image courtesy of Eva Loudon.

Tess at HOME

Tess at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 5–7 June 2025, from £21.20 - Book now

A bold, breathtaking fusion of circus and storytelling, Ockham’s Razor transform Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles into a visceral, visually stunning spectacle.

Find out more
TESS at HOME: A woman holds four planks over her head, watched on by three women.
Image courtesy of Kie Cummings.

Greater Manchester Improv Festival at the Kings Arms

Greater Manchester Improv Festival at The Kings Arms, Manchester, 6–8 June 2025, from £5.00 - Book now

Greater Manchester Improv Festival debuts. Expect a fearless, unscripted showcase of local talent, wild invention, and pure fringe spirit.

Find out more
Greater Manchester Improv Festival at the Kings Arms
Image courtesy of Ladies Who Improv/ Thirsty Productions.

Plays for the People at Shakespeare North Playhouse

Plays for the People at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot, 17 June 2025, from £15.00 - Book now

A day of live performance, bold ideas and collective action – where the audience becomes the cast and theatre sparks conversation.

Find out more
Plays for the People at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Illustration courtesy of Minty King.

MIF25: A Single Man at Aviva Studios

A Single Man at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 2–6 July 2025, from £35.00 - Book now

For the first time ever, MIF joins forces with The Royal Ballet to present a bold new adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s seminal novel.

Find out more
A Single Man at Aviva Studios (Manchester International Festival)
Christopher Isherwood’s A Single Man at Aviva Studios. Image courtesy of Rick Guest.

MIF25: Liberation at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Liberation at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 3–20 July 2025, from £20.00 - Book now

Happening as part of MIF25, Liberation is a bold new play inspired by real events in Black British history, bringing politics, power, and personal struggles to life on stage.

Find out more
Liberation at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Image courtesy of Ali 'Komikamo’ Kamara.

MIF25: A Symphony of Flesh and Bones at Aviva Studios

A Symphony of Flesh and Bones at Aviva Studios, Manchester, 10–13 July 2025, from £24.00 - Book now

A dreamlike film and installation by award-winning artist Juliet Ellis, exploring identity, strength and impermanence. A visually arresting highlight of MIF25.

Find out more
A Symphony of Flesh and Bones at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Juliet Ellis.

More theatre events

Pride in Trafford
Until
FestivalsManchester
Pride in Trafford 2025

Trafford’s six-day celebration of LGBTQ+ arts is back with performance, comedy, conversation and family fun across Sale and Altrincham.

from £0.00
Myra's Story at Lowry
–
TheatreSalford
Myra’s Story at Lowry

Direct from London’s West End, a critically acclaimed play shining a light on homelessness, addiction and resilience through one woman’s unforgettable story.  

from £28.50
Free Activity at Aviva Studios
Until
ComedyManchester
Free Activity at Aviva Studios

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of events this spring – the best thing, it’s all free.

free entry
See all theatre events
Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Spotlight on

Walking Tours in Manchester by Jonathan Schofield

Presenting the best walking tours in Manchester for history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and those looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city.

Take me there

Theatre in 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.

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 MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade West Kirby

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.

See all places

Destination Guides

Things to do in Manchester
Things to Do in Manchester

Our guide to the best things to in Manchester, from award-winning theatre and exhibitions to the busiest music scene in the North.
Things to do in Bradford: Kala Sangam
Things to do in Bradford

Our guide to the dark horse of Bradford, full of eye-opening exhibitions, independent shops and authentic curry houses.
Things to do in Blackpool

Fancy a day trip? Explore our guide to Blackpool and build yourself an itinerary featuring attractions, galleries, restaurants and more.
Birkenhead Priory
Things to do on the Wirral

The Wirral is a short train (or ferry) ride away from Liverpool so why not sample its best arts and culture spots?
York Castle Museum
Things to do in York

We take a closer look at York, one of the UK’s most beautiful heritage cities with a wealth of contemporary culture.
Burnley's Singing Ringing Tree
Things to do in Lancashire

Our guide to the culturally rich coastal county of Lancashire, encompassing Lancaster, Morecambe, Blackpool and Blackburn.
Chester
Things to Do in Cheshire

Our guide to the best things to in Cheshire, including culture, shopping and food and drink in Chester, Crewe and Macclesfield.

Culture Guides

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

portrait of Lorsung in a dark shirt with dark hair and dark round glasses
Literature Events in the North

We've got laughs and we've got leftfield on the live literature radar this month. Something for everyone, from poets playing with form to short story writers looking long.

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.