Wicked, one of the world’s best-loved musicals, is returning to Manchester, with tickets on sale this morning.
The smash hit theatre phenomenon is heading out on a 10-city UK and Ireland tour, which will bring it back to the Palace Theatre next year.
Wicked is set to fly into Manchester for six weeks, between Tuesday 3 December 2024 and Sunday 12 January 2025.
Following a members-only presale, general tickets will go on sale on Friday 19 May at 10am, priced from £20.
Manchester audiences will be taken back on an enchanting journey with Wicked, where two unlikely university friends go on their way to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
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The Grammy and Tony award-winning musical tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, spinning a backstory for the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
Wicked production photography. Credit: Supplied
The stunning production features 350 costumes, 140 wigs, 244 pairs of shoes, 110 hats, 125 pairs of gloves and 30 prosthetic masks.
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Dubbed one of the most successful musicals of all time, Wicked has a touring cast and crew of 82 people and played to sold-out audiences during its previous two tours, selling more than 225,000 during its previous visits to the Palace Theatre.
Wicked is now in its 17th year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London and is the fifth-longest running show in Broadway history.
Wicked production photography 2014-2015
Jennifer DiNoia Limited EngagementWicked production photography 2016-2017
Over the years, it’s been seen by more than 60 million people around the world and has been performed in over 130 cities in 16 countries.
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Wicked executive producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe,said: “We are proud to be bringing Wicked back to the magnificent Palace Theatre, where incredible audiences greeted us during two previous sold-out engagements.
“We’re excited to have this opportunity to share once again the spectacle, magic and emotion that has created unforgettable memories for audiences in Manchester and all around the world.”
Robin Hawkes, theatre director of the Palace Theatre & Opera House, said: “It is a privilege to be hosting this world-renowned, record-breaking production once again after its previous sell-out runs with us.
“Seeing these huge West End productions continue to return to our venues illustrates that the appetite for musical theatre in our region is stronger than ever. We look forward to watching this wonderful show cast its spell over both audience goers and our city.”
Wicked will be at the Palace Theatre in Manchester between Tuesday 3 December 2024 and Sunday 12 January 2025.
Based on the highly successful film of the same name, seen by more than 12 million people across five continents, and the recipient of over 80 awards internationally – including 10 Tony Awards and five Olivier Awards – Billy Elliot The Musical is heading back out on tour this year, and making its long-awaited return to one of Manchester‘s most legendary stages.
If you’re unfamiliar with the musical, the show is set in a northern mining town against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike and follows Billy’s journey from the boxing ring to the ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
Billy Elliot The Musical is returning to Manchester this Christmas / Credit: Supplied
Since its debut on stage all the way back in 2006, the show has been massively acclaimed by audiences and critics alike – with 125 boys having now played the iconic title role on stage worldwide.
The upcoming Manchester production will be brought to life by the multiple award-winning creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book and lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, choreographer Peter Darling, and of course, they’ll be joined by Elton John who composed the show’s score.
“Creating Billy Elliot the Musical was one of the most joyous and inspiring moments of our careers, so to bring the show back for a UK tour and a season in the West End for the first time in over a decade is both incredibly emotional and exciting,” commented Elton John and Stephen Daldry.
Tickets officially go on sale early next month / Credit: Supplied
“It’s bold, it’s British, it’s full of heart and the story feels more relevant than ever. We can’t wait for a whole new generation to experience it.”
Billy Elliot The Musical is taking to the Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 2 December 2026 through to 9 January 2027, before it does a run in the West End shortly after, and tickets officially go on sale in early March.
Tickets go on sale to ATG+ members on Thursday 5 March at 10am, and general on sale begins on Monday 9 March at 10am here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Swedish pop icon Robyn to play huge Manchester gig on European tour this summer
Emily Sergeant
Generational Swedish pop icon Robyn is heading out on a big European tour this summer, and she’ll be stopping off in Manchester.
This is Robyn’s first major tour since 2019, and it will feature 20 dates as well as her biggest ever headline shows – including London’s 20,000 capacity O2 Arena, and three consecutive hometown nights at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena.
And, of course, a night at Europe’s largest indoor arena – Co-op Live, here in Manchester.
Having provided some of the biggest moments in pop culture over the last three decades, Robyn is currently in the eye of one of the year’s most celebrated musical returns, as 2026 has seen her announce her ninth studio album, and her first since 2018, titled Sexistential, produced with longtime collaborator Klas Åhlund, and reuniting her with Max Martin for their first co-writes since 2010.
It’s said to be the ‘most ecstatic’ record Robyn has ever made, and is tipped to be the sound of one of contemporary music’s most influential artists ‘coming home’.
This upcoming tour will feature an exciting lineup of special guest openers across the UK and Europe dates – with 808 State and Zhala on the bill for Manchester‘s gig, bringing together a mix of boundary-pushing artists who are either friends of Robyn or among the voices that inspire her.
Robyn – The Sexistential Tour UK & EU 2026
Wednesday 24 June – 3Arena, Dublin
Friday 26 June – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Saturday 27 June – Co-op Live, Manchester
Tuesday 30 June – ING Arena, Brussels, Belgium
Wednesday 1 July – Adidas Arena, Paris, France
Friday 3 July – The O2, London
Wednesday 8 July – Uber Arena, Berlin, Germany
Saturday 11 July – Unity Arena, Oslo, Norway
Tuesday 14 July – Royal Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark
Thursday 16 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Friday 17 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Saturday 18 July – Avicii Arena, Stockholm, Sweden
Following on from the UK and European tour, Robyn will then head over to the US and Australia for another run of huge dates in major cities such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Mexico City, before the tour draws to a close in Melbourne, Australia, on 24 November.
Robyn will bring ‘The Sexistential’ Tour to Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday 27 June 2026, and tickets officially go on sale this week.
There are two separate pre-sales happening this week before tickets, then go on general sale this Friday 13 February – there’s the Co-op Presale, which starts tomorrow (Tuesday 10 February) at 10am, and then the Spotify Presale, which starts on Thursday 12 February at 10am.
You can get tickets when they go live on general sale this Friday at 10am HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
18th May 2023 
