Theatre in Manchester and the North

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Experimental performance, Halloween-themed cabaret and an eclectic selection of dance all take top spots in our new theatre guide.

Lovers of contemporary performance rejoice. We’ve got new writing, circus and physical theatre, global dance and visual arts all happening at The Lowry. Part of this exciting season, we’ve got our eyes on Theatre Re’s new devised performance Moments, which we’re told is like nothing the company have presented before; the latest work from acclaimed Stopgap Dance, Lived Fiction, a beautiful performance by Deaf, Disabled, Neurodiverse and non-disabled dancers, celebrating the rich and diverse future of contemporary dance. And Proteus’ unflinching and highly visual show, Indestructible, exploring gender and power in modern arts.

We’re also championing The Paper Birds’ new show Feel Me, opening at HOME next week. This unique performance explores connection and empathy, and requires audience interaction via mobile phone. Intrigued? We certainly are. Meanwhile, over at Liverpool Playhouse, the ever-fabulous Talawa Theatre bring their sassy New York spin on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, perfectly timed to mark Black History Month.

There’s lots more too – read on for details of Ember & The Vixens’ Halloween special cabaret; the super charming Bruntwood Prize-winner Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at the Royal Exchange and Breach’s eagerly anticipated new show – After the Act – at HOME.

Our top picks

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman Theatre, Liverpool, Until 12 October 2024, from £11.00 - Book now

60th birthday celebrations continue at Liverpool Everyman with Martin McDonagh’s savage and critically acclaimed masterpiece.

The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Liverpool Everyman
Image courtesy of Liverpool Everyman.

Women in Comedy Festival 2024

Women in Comedy Festival 2024 at The Frog and Bucket, Manchester, Until 13 October 2024, from £3.00 - Book now

Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival MCR returns with its 11th bumper edition of top-notch comedy.

Women in Comedy Festival 2023
Image courtesy of Women in Comedy Festival.

Moments at The Lowry

Theatre RE: Moments at The Lowry, Manchester and online, 8–9 October 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Leaders in visual theatre, Theatre Re explore theatre-making magic, the poetry in our everyday and the joys of liveness in their brand-new show.

Moments at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Theatre Re.

Qudus Onikeiku Re:Incarnation at The Lowry

Qudus Onikeiku RE:Incarnation at The Lowry, Manchester, 8–9 October 2024, from £16.00 - Book now

Fusing Afrobeats, athletic movement and vibrant design, Nigeria’s celebrated QDance Company explode onto The Lowry’s stage with their exhilarating new show.

Image courtesy of Herve Veronese.

Feel Me at HOME

Feel Me at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 9–10 October 2024, from £20.00 - Book now

Interactive and provocative, The Paper Birds’ new show looks at empathy and connection, and actively encourages the audience to use their mobile phone throughout.

Feel Me at HOME: A girls face is cradled by multiple hands. The background is bright pink, with different symbols poking out including a house, heart emoji and pyramid.
Image courtesy of The Paper Birds.

Ember’s Spooky Season Sizzler at Cultplex

Ember's Spooky Season Sizzler at Cultplex, Manchester, 11 October 2024, from £19.35 - Book now

Bringing glamour, goosebumps and a heady dose of female empowerment, Ember & the Vixens are back to kick off the spooky season with their sizzling adults-only cabaret.

Natalie Ciufo - singer - stares into the audience, about to sing, wearing a sparkly dress. Ember's Spooky Season Sizzler at Cultplex
Image courtesy of Ryan Morrison/ Selina Helliwell Productions.

Play On! at Liverpool Playhouse

Play On! at Liverpool Playhouse, Liverpool, 15–19 October 2024, from £11.00 - Book now

Joyous, sassy with a thrilling soundtrack, be transported to 1940s New York for Talawa Theatre’s eagerly anticipated and stylish retelling of Twelfth Night.

Image courtesy of Ellie Kurttz.

Lived Fiction at The Lowry

Lived Fiction at The Lowry, Manchester and online, 17 October 2024, from £14.50 - Book now

Acclaimed and inclusive dance company Stopgap present an evening of stunning movement, breathtaking projection art and evocative audio description.

Performer in Wheelchair lit from behind. Lived Fiction at The Lowry
Stopgap Dance Company

Toxic at the Octagon Theatre Bolton

Toxic at Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 19 October 2024, from £12.50 - Book now

An award-winning fringe performance tackling pressing themes around men’s mental health, friendships and the power of communication.

Toxic at Octagon Theatre Bolton
Image courtesy of Divided Culture Co.

Abigail’s Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre

Abigail's Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre at Blackpool Grand Theatre, Lancashire, 22–26 October 2024, from £19.50 - Book now

Booze flows, tensions boil and tempers alight – Mike Leigh’s iconic suburban comedy is given a new lease of life at Blackpool Grand.

Abigail's Party at Blackpool Grand Theatre
Image courtesy of Sean Conboy.

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at The Lowry

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders – The Redemption of Thomas Shelby at The Lowry, Manchester, 22–26 October 2024, from £24.50 - Book now

You’ve got another chance to catch the awe-inspiring Rambert with their celebrated dance-theatre show, inspired by the hit TV show Peaky Blinders.

Rambert Peaky Blinders at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Johan Persson.

English National Ballet: Mary Skeaping’s Giselle at Manchester Opera House

English National Ballet - Mary Skeaping's Giselle at Manchester Opera House, Manchester, 23 October–2 November 2024, from £13.00 - Book now

Watch one of the world’s leading ballet companies and their exceptional orchestra perform this great classic of the ballet canon.

English National Ballet - Mary Skeaping's Giselle
Image supplied by ATG Tickets

Indestructible at The Lowry

Indestructible at The Lowry, Manchester, 25 October 2024, from £12.00 - Book now

Offering an unflinching exploration of gender and power in contemporary arts, this brave and witty performance asks the audience: why is it still so difficult for female artists to succeed?

Indestructible at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Richard Davenport/ Proteus.

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 28–30 October 2024, from £10.00 - Book now

Billed as a “love letter to Birmingham”, this Bruntwood Prize-winner explores Black masculinity through Beyoncé lyrics, techno raves and the deep connection between a man and his barber.

Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz
Image courtesy of Rebecca Need-Menear.

Chicago at the Palace Theatre

Chicago at Palace Theatre, Manchester, 4–9 November 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

Sassy, sexy and packed with show-stopping numbers, the shimmy-shaking musical makes a dazzling return to Manchester.

Chicago at the Palace Theatre
Image courtesy of Tristram Kenton.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre, Leeds, 5–9 November 2024, from £31.00 - Book now

A new production of the multi award-winning musical is set to tour the UK from autumn 2024, venues include Leeds Grand Theatre, Liverpool Empire and Palace Theatre Manchester.

Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds Grand Theatre
Image courtesy of ATG Tickets.

After the Act at HOME

After the Act at HOME Manchester, Manchester, 12–16 November 2024, from £15.00 - Book now

The ever-brilliant Breach Theatre bring a new scorching protest musical that traces the infamous Section 28 anti-gay legislation.

After the Act at HOME
Image courtesy of Alex Brenner/ Breach Theatre.

More theatre events

Moments at The Lowry
TheatreSalford
Moments at The Lowry

Leaders in visual theatre, Theatre Re explore theatre-making magic, the poetry in our everyday and the joys of liveness in their brand-new show.

from £12.00
Performer in Wheelchair lit from behind. Lived Fiction at The Lowry
DanceMediaCityUK
Lived Fiction at The Lowry

Acclaimed and inclusive dance company Stopgap present an evening of stunning movement, breathtaking projection art and evocative audio description.

from £14.50
Manchester Science Festival 2024
FestivalsManchester
Manchester Science Festival 2024

Expect a packed programme of fun, family-friendly daytime activities and adults-only evening events spanning never-seen-before installations, live performance and interactive adventures.

Women in Comedy Festival 2023
Until
ComedyAncoats
Women in Comedy Festival 2024

Described as one of the “UK’s best comedy festivals”, the Women in Comedy Festival MCR returns with its 11th bumper edition of top-notch comedy. 

from £3.00
If at First Main Image
Spotlight on

Black History Month in Manchester and the North

Discover the North West's best Black History Month events, including exhibitions, theatre and dance.

Take me there

Theatre in Manchester and 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.

The Hepworth Wakefield
Wakefield
Gallery
The Hepworth Wakefield

Winner of the 2017 Art Fund Museum of the Year Award, The Hepworth in Wakefield is easily one of the leading cultural highlights of the North.

The MerseyMade building in Liverpool
Liverpool
Shop
MerseyMade

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.

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.

Culture Guides