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Whether you’re looking for performance in the open air, the escapism of slapstick or full-on theatre festival fun, our guide has got you covered.
This month, we’re championing the new production of the smash-hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors: this unmissable co-production is currently playing at Octagon Theatre Bolton, and later Liverpool Playhouse and Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake. First performed in 2011 at the National, this new production has already taken Northern audiences by storm. Don’t miss out.
On now: Written by Ian Kershaw and Clara Darcy, don’t miss the world premiere performance of We Should Definitely Have More Dancing at Oldham Coliseum running until 2 July. Don’t leave it too late to get tickets to this bright and uplifting show.
July marks the start of many theatre festivals too. You’ll find free outdoor dance-circus performances happening alongside superb ticketed events at Trafford’s flagship arts festival, Refract 2022; a brilliant and eclectic mix of emerging performers and shows at Greater Manchester Fringe, and also Liverpool Theatre Festival launching at the end of August.
And we know summer is definitely on its way with the announcement of open air performance. We’ve pulled together a neat guide packed full of outdoor theatre – with everything from children’s shows to Shakespeare under the stars. Dreamy. Do check back as we’ll be adding more shows as we find them.
Read on for even more unmissable performance. It’s all happening in Manchester and across the North over the next few months.
Here are our picks
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1. One Man, Two Guvnors
Image courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography. One Man, Two Guvnors, Until 3 September 2022, from £15.00 - Book now
This hilarious smash-hit comedy explodes into the North West this summer in a brand-new production. Catch it at Bolton Octagon, Liverpool Playhouse and the Theatre by the Lake.
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2. Rock/Paper/Scissors at Sheffield Theatres
Image courtesy of Sheffield Theatres. Rock/ Paper/ Scissors at The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, City Centre, Until 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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3. We Should Definitely Have More Dancing at Oldham Coliseum
Image courtesy of Grant Archer. We Should Definitely Have More Dancing at Oldham Coliseum, Manchester, Until 2 July 2022, from £7.00 - Book now
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.
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4. Summer Theatre at HOME
Image courtesy of HOME/ Eclipse Theatre. Summer Theatre at HOME at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 1–9 July 2022, from £12.50 - Book now
At a time when theatres ordinarily begin to wind down for the summer, HOME springs to life with three unique shows that demand to be seen.
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5. 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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6. Greater Manchester Fringe 2022
Image courtesy of Greater Manchester Fringe. Greater Manchester Fringe 2022 at The Kings Arms, Chapel Street, 1–31 July 2022 - Book now
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.
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7. Gypsy: A Musical Fable at Buxton Opera House
Buxton International Festival and Buxton Opera House Gypsy: A Musical Fable at Buxton Opera House, Buxton, 7–24 July 2022, from £25.00 - Book now
Treat yourself to a taste of Broadway in the picturesque Derbyshire hills this summer.
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8. 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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9. Viva la Diva at Buxton Opera House
Image courtesy of Buxton International Festival. Viva la Diva at Buxton Opera House, Buxton, 10–23 July 2022, from £25.00 - Book now
Packed with laughs, cross-dressing and cases of mistaken identity, this is a brand-new English version of Donizetti’s comic opera, adapted by renowned screenwriter Kit Hesketh-Harvey.
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10. REFRACT Festival 2022 at Waterside
Image courtesy of Graeme Braidwood Photography. Refract Festival 2022 at Waterside Arts, Manchester, 21–30 July 2022 - Book now
Now in its fifth year, Trafford’s flagship arts festival returns to Waterside for ten days of experiential performance and cultural delight.
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11. The Den at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre
Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange. The Den at Ukrainian Cultural Centre, Cheetham Hill, 28 July–6 August 2022 - Book now
An ingenious low carbon and super-light structure – complete with canvas roof and cardboard seats – the Den is a unique travelling performance space. It pops up in Cheetham Hill this summer.
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12. 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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13. 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.
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14. The Lion King at the Palace Theatre
Image courtesy of Johan Persson. The Lion King at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 27 October 2022–19 February 2023, from £20.00 - Book now
The sun may have set over our Manchester theatres during the pandemic – but now “it’s rolling high through the sapphire sky” once again. Hit musical The Lion King has added even more dates to its previously postponed run.
More in Theatre
Family Gorgeous Story Time at First Street Festival
Happening as part of HOME’s First Street Festival, and join Cheddar Gorgeous every Saturday lunchtime from 12:30 for an hour of fun-filled outdoor fabulousness.
One Man, Two Guvnors at Liverpool Playhouse
With live music and plenty of slapstick, don’t miss this new production of the sensational comedy when it plays to Liverpool audiences this summer.
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.
Vice Versa at HOME
Congolese multi-disciplinary artist Dorcas Seb weaves music, spoken word performance, and physical theatre into a thought-provoking story about one character’s journey of faith.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Nostell Priory
Head to Nostell Priory for a summer evening of outdoor performance – enjoy a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s magical comedy by the Duke’s Theatre Company.
Here & Now at HOME
Developed and performed by Swiss artist Trân Tran, Here & Now seeks to examine the relationship between audience and performer, celebrating the beautiful ‘here and now’ of live theatre.
Little Women at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
The treasured story of the March sisters will be reimagined for the stunning setting of Chester’s open air theatre this summer.
Scottee: Fat Blokes at HOME
Following previous sell-out runs, Fat Blokes is ready to stage another fat rebellion at HOME this July. A pragmatic dialogue about fat queer masculinity.
Alfie’s First Fight at Z-Arts
A show described as ‘Crime-Thriller meets Rocky’, Alfie’s First Fight at Z-Arts is for children aged 5+ and their grown ups, taking place on Sunday 10 July 2022. The production, at first glance, is about boxing, but at the core of this moving, heartwarming and hilarious performance is a powerful story of love, family, and loss, and the importance of fighting for what you want.
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Get out in the sun this month with tours and activities that will have you engaging positively with the climate, taking the plunge in Salford Quays and getting creative.
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Let’s make the most of early summer, with this month’s selection of brand new art exhibitions from across the North!
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You’ll find a varied programme across our guide to Liverpool’s best theatres.
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Festivals, shows, museums, and much, much more – there’s plenty of summer fun to be had for families in Manchester and the North, whatever the weather. Here are our top picks.
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