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This month’s theatre guide is eclectic to say the least. We bring you the full details of Liverpool Theatre Festival (launching at the end of August) and our round up of Manchester’s Women in Comedy Festival (taking place in October), alongside outdoor performance, dance shows and more experimental theatre.
The autumn/winter theatre season is gearing up to start now too. We’ve got The Glass Menagerie at the Royal Exchange and The Book Thief at Octagon Theatre in our diaries. We’re also looking ahead to Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Opening Season too – with Not Too Tame’s take on the witty Shakespearean comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
HOME kick start their new season with a 12-hour durational performance by Manchester-based ensemble Quarantine. Using a company of local workers, 12 Last Songs is an extraordinary live performance – a fleeting portrait of society that examines how we relate to work. Meanwhile, in Theatre 2, we’re looking forward to a new work by the Javaad Alipoor Company charting an investigation into the brutal, and unsolved, murder of an Iranian pop icon.
We’ve also picked out the magical Paines Plough Roundabout, landing in Prince’s Park, Irlam this October, and the legendary experimental duo, Split Britches when they return to Contact in the autumn.
And of course, summer theatre is in full swing now so if you’re looking for open air productions, do check out our neat guide packed full of outdoor performances. We’ve got everything covered – from children’s shows to Shakespeare under the stars.
Here are our picks
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1. Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Image courtesy of Mark McNulty. Romeo and Juliet at Grosvenor Park, Chester, Until 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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2. One Man, Two Guvnors at Theatre by the Lake
Image courtesy of Pamela Raith Photography. One Man, Two Guvnors at Theatre by the Lake, Carlisle and Keswick, Until 3 September 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
Offering a hilarious mix of slapstick, laugh-out-loud moments and a live skiffle band, this brand new production of the West End hit has received rave reviews. Don’t miss out.
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3. The Jungle Book at Williamson Park
Image courtesy of Gabi Dawkins & Jess Turton. -
4. Gambit at St Ann’s Square
Image courtesy of Word of Warning/ Proud & Loud Arts. Gambit at St Ann’s Square, City Centre, 20 August 2022, free entry - Find Out More
If you’re out and about on 20 August in Manchester city centre, keep your eyes peeled for Word of Warning and Proud & Loud Arts’ latest performance piece…
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5. Dance in the Gardens at Sheffield Botanical Gardens
Image courtesy of Tala Lee-Turton Productions. Dance in the Gardens at Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Broomhill and Crookes, 24–25 August 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
Experience Sheffield Botanical Gardens like never before with a unique open-air ballet and music experience.
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6. Liverpool Theatre Festival at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church
Image courtesy of Bill Elms/ Liverpool Theatre Festival. Liverpool Theatre Festival at St. Luke’s, Liverpool, City Centre, 31 August–11 September 2022 - Book now
Don’t miss this super theatre festival packed with live outdoor performances featuring musical theatre, drama, comedy, cabaret, opera, and children’s shows.
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7. The Glass Menagerie at the Royal Exchange
Design & Art Direction by Studio Doug. The Glass Menagerie at Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre, 2 September–8 October 2022, from £10.00 - Book now
Following the huge success of Hobson’s Choice at the Royal Exchange in 2019, Atri Banerjee returns to direct Tennessee Williams’ semi-autobiographical masterpiece.
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8. 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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9. A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Image courtesy of Not Too Tame. A Midsummer Night's Dream at Shakespeare North Playhouse, St. Helens, 22 September–22 October 2022, from £3.00 - Book now
Join Not Too Tame for a riotous version of Shakespeare’s best-known comedy. Happening as part of Shakespeare North Playhouse’s Opening Season.
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10. 12 Last Songs at HOME
Image courtesy of David Lindsay. 12 Last Songs at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 24 September 2022, Pay-What-You-Can - Book now
Using a company of Manchester-based workers, Quarantine bring people together to talk about what they do for a living. An extraordinary durational performance.
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11. The Time Traveller’s Wife: a new musical at Storyhouse
British singer-songwriter Joss Stone. Image courtesy of Storyhouse. The Time Traveller's Wife: a new musical at Storyhouse, Chester, 30 September–15 October 2022, from £22.50 - Book now
A brand new musical adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s international best-seller is set to receive its world premiere at Storyhouse before moving to the West End.
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12. Women in Comedy Festival 2022
Isy Suttie. Image courtesy of Women in Comedy Festival. Women in Comedy Festival 2022 at The Frog and Bucket, Ancoats, 1–10 October 2022, from £3.00 - Book now
Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival returns with its 9th bumper edition of top-notch comedy.
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13. English National Ballet: Swan Lake at the Palace Theatre
Image courtesy of Laurent Liotardo. English National Ballet: Swan Lake at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 5–8 October 2022, from £13.00 - Book now
The world’s most famous ballet returns to Manchester. Don’t miss this stunning production from the English National Ballet.
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14. Paines Plough Roundabout at Prince’s Park
Image courtesy of Paines Plough. Paines Plough Roundabout at Prince's Park, Salford, 6–9 October 2022, from £5.00 - Book now
Bringing the magic of live performance to Salford, there are four brand-new works playing at the Paines Plough Roundabout this autumn.
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15. Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World at HOME
Image courtesy of HOME. Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 22 October–5 November 2022 - Book now
A theatrical investigation into the brutal and unsolved murder of Iranian pop icon, Fereydoun Farrokhzad. Created by The Javaad Alipoor Company.
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16. Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty at The Lowry
Image courtesy of New Adventures. -
17. Split Britches: Last Gasp at Contact
Image courtesy of Christa Holka. Split Britches: Last Gasp at Contact Theatre, Manchester, 30 November–1 December 2022
Combining spoken word and movement, the legendary experimental duo return to the physical theatre with a wry performative reflection on the turbulent last couple of years.
More in Theatre
One Man, Two Guvnors
The hilarious smash hit comedy One Man, Two Guvnors explodes into the North West this summer in a brand-new production.
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.
Shakespeare North Playhouse Opening Season
Launching with a glorious weekend of free festivities (15-17 July), check out Shakespeare North Playhouse’s spectacular opening season.
Stig of the Dump at Grosvenor Open Air Theatre
A revival of Grosvenor Park’s sell-out, critically acclaimed production of the classic tale of a boy’s friendship with a mysterious caveman.
The Gruffalo at The Lowry
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of Julia Donaldson’s well-loved picture book.
Mrs Doubtfire at Manchester Opera House
Mrs Doubtfire, a touching musical comedy about family, love and friendship, is coming to Manchester Opera House, straight from Broadway.
We Invented The Weekend
Expect everything from community feasts, vintage markets, water sports, live music and performance, right across MediaCity and Salford Quays this September. A new free festival for everyone.
The Lost Words: Told In Gold at Heaton Park
Discover the beauty in words that are slowly disappearing, in this outdoor theatre production for families at Heaton Park.
Manchester Science Festival 2022
Expect another action-packed programme of inspiring, entertaining and playful experiences as Manchester Science Festival returns, with interactive online events, thought-provoking talks and eye-opening exhibitions.
Culture Guides
Exhibitions
From seductively immersive environments to the enduring magic of maps, August does not disappoint with an abundance of exhibitions in Manchester and further afield.
Literature
There are online readings and live launches as Manchester and the North welcomes some great writers – and we’re building up to book festival season, so let’s get planning…
Classical Music in Manchester and the North
We preview the standout classical music events and venues in Manchester and the north.
Food and Drink
Explore the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North this August.
Tours and Activities
Break out of the old summer routines and try something different with roller skating, kite flying and more in this month’s Tours and Activities guide.
Destination Guides
Related Guides
Food and Drink
Explore the best restaurants and bars in Manchester and the North this August.
Exhibitions
From seductively immersive environments to the enduring magic of maps, August does not disappoint with an abundance of exhibitions in Manchester and further afield.
Vegetarian Food in Manchester
We’ve gathered together a handpicked list of some of our favourite vegetarian places in Manchester – meaning you need never suffer a stuffed pepper ever again.
Theatres in Manchester
If you’re looking for theatre in Manchester, these are our top places to explore.
Theatres in Liverpool
You’ll find a varied programme across our guide to Liverpool’s best theatres.
Families
We’re over half way through the summer holidays and Manchester is still brimming with summer activities for families.
Things to do right now
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