Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Last Updated 30 June 2020

Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, our usual recommendations for theatre in Manchester and the North are a little different.

We most certainly cannot wait to be back in the stalls again…until then our theatre guide brings online theatre festival fun, a live drive-in musical, screenings and interactive performance to enjoy at home.

We are so grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery, DCMS and Arts Council England for supporting our freelance writers during this crisis. This means that, although venues remain shut and campaigns cancelled, our writers can be reengaged to help arts organisations and artists across the North of England share their online content with our culture-hungry readers.

Make sure to check back often – we’re adding more good cultural stuff as we find it.

Stay well.

Here are our picks

1. Rockets and Blue Lights with BBC Lockdown Theatre Festival

Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange.

Lockdown Theatre Festival, online, Until 12 July 2020, free entry - Visit now

The Royal Exchange’s Rockets and Blue Lights will be performed as part of the BBC’s Lockdown Theatre Festival, a radio festival dedicated to those plays that had their runs cut short by the pandemic.

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2. Nigel Slater’s ‘Toast’ with the Lawrence Batley Theatre

Image courtesy of Target Live.

Nigel Slater's 'Toast', online, Until 31 July 2020, from £10.00 - Book now

A truly delicious digital theatre experience. Part radio play, part animated film – and every foodie’s dream – this hugely successful play has been adapted for you to enjoy at home.

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3. ACTUALQUEST with HOME

HOME

ACTUALQUEST at HOME Manchester, Manchester, Until 31 December 2020 - Book now

The Homemakers series of virtual theatre continues with this interactive, fantasy musical set in and around your own home.

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4. Hamilton – Streaming on Disney Plus

Image courtesy of Joan Marcus.

Hamilton, online, Until 15 October 2021, from £5.99 - Book now

Politically charged with a hip-hop soundtrack, there is no doubt that this filmed performance is one of the most eagerly anticipated releases of 2020.

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5. No Such Thing – The Distance Edition

Kate Daley

No Such Thing – the distance edition, online, Until 15 July 2020, free entry - Visit now

Hosted by Quarantine, a Manchester-based award-winning theatre and performance company, No Such Thing – The Distance Edition is an online version of their monthly get-together.

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6. Elders Mondays Spring Summer 2020 with the Royal Exchange

Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange.

Elders Mondays Spring Summer 2020 with the Royal Exchange, online, Until 17 August 2020, from £3.00 - Book now

Our good friends at the Royal Exchange Theatre have been working hard to bring their Elders Monday sessions online. Reach out, stay connected and remain creative.

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7. ABC (Anything But Covid) with HOME

HOME

ABC (Anything But Covid) at HOME Manchester, Manchester and online, Until 31 December 2020 - Book now

Tune in to this new short film, by Ugly Bucket, which examines the lengths we’ll go to oblige the pressures of staying productive in lockdown.

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8. Six the Musical – Drive in Concert at the University of Bolton Stadium

Image courtesy of Eleanor Howarth.

Six the Musical - Live in Concert at University of Bolton Stadium, Manchester, 18–23 August 2020 - Book now

Get your live theatre fix at this open-air drive-in performance of the electrifying smash-hit musical.

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9. Homemakers: A Small Gathering with HOME

Image courtesy of HOME Manchester.

A Small Gathering at HOME Manchester, Manchester and online, 31 December 2020, free entry - Find Out More

Lockdown lovelies will certainly enjoy this. A Small Gathering is the first short film ever made by Ad Infinitum and it’s available online now.

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10. Locked down. Locked in. But living. with the Lawrence Batley Theatre

Image courtesy of Studio Wayne McGregor

Locked Down. Locked In. But Living. at Lawrence Batley Theatre and online, 28 September–18 October 2020, from £12.00 - Book now

Northern Ballet, Studio Wayne McGregor and the Gary Clarke Company present a thrilling evening of world-class original contemporary dance to enjoy at home.

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Music Until 31 December 2020,

Amazon with HOME

Created by composer Alex Ho and theatre-maker Elayce Ismail, this stunning fusion of music, text and visuals sees a trip to the Amazon take an unexpected turn.

Theatre Until 31 December 2020,

Turkey Sausage Roll with HOME

Presented by Homemakers and the RADA Festival, Turkey Sausage Roll takes you on a journey into one young woman’s restless mind.

Theatre Until 31 December 2020,

Animation Slam with HOME

Pairing some of the sharpest minds on the UK spoken word scene with hand-drawn animations by theatre-maker and video designer Edalia Day, be sure to catch this animated slam.

Theatre Until 31 December 2020,

How To Win with HOME

Take part in this new episodic online game created by multi-award-winning interactive theatre-makers Hidden Track, in collaboration with you, the player.

online events I am falling in love with you and its making me do stupid things

Festivals Until 31 December 2020,

Homemakers

HOME have invited theatre and live art makers to create new works at home, for an audience who are also at home.

I'm falling in love with you and it's making me do stupid things - Bryony Kimmings

Theatre Until 31 December 2020,

I am falling in love with you and it’s making me do stupid things

Follow Bryony Kimmings on a long, lonely night after she finds the email address of a potential lover and through the following day’s onslaught of Covid anxiety.

Activity Until 31 December 2020,

Love Letters to a Liveable Future with HOME

Part of Homemakers, this ongoing project offers the space to imagine how we would like our world to change once we emerge from lockdown.

Theatre Until 31 December 2020, FREE

Homemakers: Tell Me with HOME

How well do you know your friends? Homemakers presents Tell Me, a game for two or more people which you can play at home. Intrigued? Read on…

Theatre Until 31 December 2020, FREE

Homemakers: Siege – Part 1 with HOME

Presented in two parts, Siege is a nitty-gritty, punch-packed series of online discussions between disabled women performance makers.

Culture Guides

Cinema Online

From our picks of the latest streaming titles, to drive-ins and live digital film events from your favourite venues, we round up the best in lockdown cinema.

Family of Lord Alf Morris, image courtesy of Manchester Histories

Exhibitions

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

Families Online

Need some inspiration for online activities and creative family fun? Look no further than our top picks online for families across Manchester and the North.

Literature

From book launches to readings and open mics to creative writing workshops, Live Literature Land has taken to online activities and events like the proverbial duck to water.

Music

Discover the best live-streamed concerts, broadcasts, musical activities and exhibitions on offer during the lockdown.

Classical Music in Manchester and the North

We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester.

Food and Drink in Manchester and the North

Lockdown is in full effect but that doesn’t mean we can’t support our favourite bars, restaurants, brewers and food suppliers. Here’s our guide to the best takeaway and delivery Food and Drink in Manchester and the North