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10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2023

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Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 29th December 2022

Greater Manchester has firmly earned itself a spot as a place for world-renowned touring theatre productions to make a stop off at.

While the past couple of years amid and post-pandemic may have hit the theatre pretty hard, it’s a beloved industry that has now well and truly bounced-back – with the region’s three main theatres, Palace Theatre Manchester, Opera House Manchester, and The Lowry, all having welcomed some absolute show-stopping productions this year.

And 2023 is set to be absolutely no different.

The Greater Manchester theatre events calendar next year is already looking jam-packed with award-winning musicals, family-friendly plays, inventive dance productions, and so much more.

Here’s our roundup of 10 of the best productions in Greater Manchester next year.

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Mamma Mia!

Opera House Manchester

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Tuesday 31 January – Saturday 11 February

Mamma Mia! / Credit: ATG Tickets

Mamma Mia! will be taking over the Opera House Manchester from Tuesday 31 January – Saturday 11 February.

Fancy grabbing tickets to see the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical? Making a much-anticipated return to our city, fans of the popular films will know Mamma Mia! is set on a Greek island paradise, and cleverly tells a story of love, friendship, and identity through the timeless songs of Swedish pop group ABBA.

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Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Peaky Blinders – The Redemption of Thomas Shelby

The Lowry

Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 March

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Peaky Blinders – The Redemption of Thomas Shelby / Credit: The Lowry

Peaky Blinders – The Redemption of Thomas Shelby by Rambert Dance will be at The Lowry from Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 March.

Written and adapted for the stage by Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight, with choreography and direction from Rambert’s Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, this captivating show matches dazzling, athletic dance, and stunning dramatisation from the full Rambert Dance company.

The awe-inspiring performance will be accompanied by a live band, as well as specially-commissioned music by Roman GianArthur, and featuring iconic Peaky Blinders tracks from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, Radiohead, Anna Calvi, The Last Shadow Puppets, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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The Spongebob Musical

Opera House Manchester

Tuesday 16 May – Saturday 20 May

The Spongebob Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets

The SpongeBob Musical is coming to Opera House Manchester from Tuesday 16 May – Saturday 20 May 2023.

Written by Kyle Jarrow, conceived by Tina Landausees, and with additional music and lyrics by Jonathan Coulton and Tom Kitts, it sees the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, so SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world.

With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up – optimism.

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The new “all-singing, all-dancing dynamic stage show” features a tidal wave of original songs by the world’s most iconic rock and pop artists – including Aerosmith, Cyndi Lauper, Sara Bareilles, The Flaming Lips, John Legend, Panic! At the Disco, Plain White T’s, and more.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Dirty Dancing

Palace Theatre Manchester

Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 3 June

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Dirty Dancing / Credit: ATG Tickets

Dirty Dancing returns to Palace Theatre Manchester with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, and sensationally sexy dancing next year from Tuesday 30 May – Saturday 3 June.

Bringing the cult-classic film to life, and having already seen by millions across the globe, this worldwide smash-hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny – two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds, who come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

The iconic story features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes‘, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’, and the heart-stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, as well as an incredible cast of dancers.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Titanic The Musical

The Lowry

Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 July

Titanic The Musical / Credit: The Lowry

Titanic The Musical will be stopping off at The Lowry next year as part of its 10th anniversary UK tour from Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 July.

Based on real people aboard the most legendary ship in the world, the award-winning Titanic The Musical is described as being a “stunning and stirring production” focusing on the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of her passengers who each boarded the ship with stories and personal ambitions of their own.

All innocently unaware of the fate awaiting them, the third class immigrants dream of a better life in America, the second class imagine they too can join the lifestyles of the rich and famous, whilst the millionaire Barons of the first class anticipate legacies lasting forever.  

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You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Charlie and The Chocolate Factory – The Musical

Palace Theatre Manchester

Tuesday 11 – Sunday 30 July

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical / Credit: ATG Tickets

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical is taking over Palace Theatre Manchester next year from Tuesday 11 – Sunday 30 July.

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Based on the iconic story, this spectacular stage show follows the hit West End and Broadway productions to combine the memorable songs from the original 1970s motion picture – inlcuding ‘The Candy Man’ and ‘Pure Imagination’ – with all new numbers from the multi award-winning songwriters of Hairspray.

The weird and wonderful world of Roald Dahl is expected to “dazzle your senses” in its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Winnie The Pooh

Opera House Manchester

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Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 July

Winnie the Pooh / Credit: ATG Tickets

The nostalgic magic of the Hundred Acre Wood is set to come to life on stage at Opera House Manchester from Monday 24 – Wednesday 26 July 2023.

Disney’s iconic Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin, and of course, their best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, and Owl (and don’t forget Tigger too) are all the stars of the show in this new beautifully-crafted musical stage adaptation that’s created by renowned family entertainment creator, Jonathan Rockefeller.

This fresh stage adaptation of a classic tale is told with stunning life-sized puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love, and features the Sherman Brothers’ classic Grammy Award-winning music, and along with further songs by original Winnie the Pooh author A.A. Milne.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

The Lowry

Thursday 7 – Sunday 17 September

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie / Credit: The Lowry

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is coming to The Lowry next year from Thursday 7 – Sunday 17 December.

Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, followed by a sold-out UK and Ireland Tour, and Amazon Studios award-winning film, the smash-hit and critically-acclaimed musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie is making a return in 2023.

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With an original score of catchy pop tunes that will “blow the roof of the theatre”, this sparking, coming-of-age musical will have everybody talking about Jamie for years to come.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Opera House Manchester

Saturday 9 – Sunday 31 December

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs / Credit: ATG Tickets

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be coming to Opera House Manchester for the festive season from Saturday 9 – Sunday 31 December.

A beloved classic pantomime, the show will be spectacularly brought to life with an abundance of comedy, sensational song and dance numbers, fabulous costumes, and stunning scenery.

Then, if you throw in a magical mirror, the magnificent seven dwarfs, and plenty of audience participation, you have the perfect recipe to outwit the Wicked Queen and let love prevail in what is being described as a “glittering festive treat for all ages”.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

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Life of Pi

The Lowry

Tuesday 5 December 2023 – Sunday 7 January 2024

Life of Pi / Credit: The Lowry

Closing out what has been an impressive 2023 theatre season, Life of Pi will be at The Lowry from Tuesday 5 December 2023 – Sunday 7 January 2024.

Based on the global book phenomenon, selling over fifteen million copies worldwide, Life of Pi is the acclaimed and hugely-popular adaptation of an epic journey of endurance and hope. Jaw-dropping visuals, magic, and world-class puppetry all combine in a unique and breathtaking (The Times) theatrical event that critics say is “a wonder to behold”.

Winner of five Olivier Awards, this is your chance to see the West End spectacle on its first-ever UK tour next Christmas.

You can find out more and book tickets here.

Read more:

Featured Image – ATG Tickets

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Fast-rising Manc rockers ROLLA announce biggest-ever headline show

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rolla Manchester gig New Century Hall tickets

Manchester band ROLLA have announced their biggest-ever headline gig right here in their hometown and it’s set to be a barnstormer.

The local rock and roll outfit are on the up not only amongst the Manc music scene but Britain at large, notching huge nods from the likes of Rolling Stone as well lots of love from us here at Audio North, and now the in-your-face five-piece are set for a landmark show.

Having crossed a number of city centre venues already, ROLLA have now revealed they will be playing none other than New Century Hall for the first time in their career.

Still only a few short years into their journey to stardom (and yes, we do believe they’re going to be that big), this latest date is a huge milestone for the Mancs.

It was only last month that the ferocious indie rockers put their ever-growing fan base to good use by throwing a sold-out charity gig at Salford Lads’ and Girls’ Club in a successful campaign to save it from closure, and the scenes from the show were unbelievable.

Speaking on what was a momentous night for the band and Greater Manchester as a whole, ROLLA hope it will go down as something “current and future members of the club and our fans can always look back on it as a special moment in time.”

They also detailed how the atmosphere at the gig was so electric that they used a lot of the footage to create the music video for the new single, ‘It Ain’t Easy’, labelling it “the perfect nod to the massive achievement of helping towards keeping the clubs’ doors open.”

And they really did put their money where their mouth was, raising a whopping £8,000 through ticket and merch sales on the night – a huge 24-hour contribution towards the overall £250k target which was finally reached with just a few days to spare last week.

You can hear the track and see the fantastic visuals that go along with it down below:

As far as memorable Manchester gigs, this is just the start for ROLLA.

Going to discuss the landmark headline show, the band added: “This is more than just a gig—it’s a defining moment for the band and our fans – a coming together of everything we’ve built so far and we mean to make it special. It’s gonna go off.

“New Century Hall is a proper Manchester institution. It’s been a part of the city’s music scene for decades, and after its recent revival, it’s sounding and looking better than ever. We can’t wait to fill it out with our sound.”

If you’ve not come across their sound before, there are some very noticeable Oasis influences – not just because of some very familiar-looking haircuts and use of sunglasses in their photoshoots either – but, put simply, they deliver some of the punchiest rock riffs around right now.

Music outlet Gigwise has hailed them as “one of the most energetic and full displays of indie rock ‘n’ roll on offer today” and we tend to agree, having also named them on our Manc Bands of the Month just this past October.

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With their four-track debut EP set to release on 7 March, two tracks from which we’ve already heard and immediately added to our playlists, they’ll be bringing their tunes and hopefully more new music to the much-loved city centre venue on 3 May 2025.

We have every faith that they will set out the 1,300-capacity New Century Hall thanks to their already die-hard cult following alone, so you best be quick if you want to be there.

You can grab tickets to Rolla’s biggest-ever Manchester gig, not to mention for less than £20 per person, right now via the DICE anti-touting app or directly HERE.

We’ll see you out there.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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Fawlty Towers – The Play is coming to Manchester Opera House next year

Danny Jones Danny Jones Fawlty Towers The Play Manchester tickets

John Cleese’s much-loved Fawlty Towers – The Play is landing at the Manchester Opera House next year and we cannot wait.

The critically acclaimed theatre adaptation of the iconic sitcom, still revered as one of the greatest UK comedies of all time, first came to fruition back in 2016 and is now set to land here in Manchester city centre for the first time ever.

We’ve been treated to Fawlty Towers The Dining Experience at The Lowry Theatre in Salford before, but this is the first time the smash-hit West End stage production has headed North and judging by the reviews, audiences are about to be belly-laughing all the way to Torquay.

Coming to Manc crowds this time next winter, you can expect this one to be a sell-out.

Still busy playing a fully booked-up run at London’s Apollo Theatre Shaftesbury Avenue, the twice-extended West End show is packing up its stage for a massive tour across the UK and Ireland.

Announcing dozens of dates next year and well into the summer of 2026, including shows in Leeds, Liverpool, York, Stoke, Sunderland and many more, the show has earned four and five-star reviews from countless publications.

The Arts Desk have hailed it as a “comedy masterpiece [that] makes a seamless transition to the stage”, with actor Adam Jackson-Smith playing the lead role of Basil Fawlty and the entire cast said to leave viewers cackling with some of the best bits from iconic TV series recreated in the flesh.

Speaking on the stage adaptation, John Cleese said: “When we came up with the idea of bringing Fawlty Towers to the stage, I never thought it would get the reception that it has.

“On 23 December it will be 50 years to the day since we recorded the pilot at BBC Television Centre and I’m delighted the audiences we’ve had in the West End still think it’s as funny as ever. The announcement of the tour means many more people will now have the chance to laugh themselves helpless.”

John Cleese, now 85.

Set to hit the road 50 years on from the broadcast of the first episode on BBC Two back in September 1975, before going on to win countless awards including two BAFTAS and even being voted the best British programme of all time as part of a British Film Institute poll, it all feels very full circle.

Brought to life on stage by a creative team consisting of Cleese and fellow writer Connie Booth and directed by Caroline Jay Ranger – best known for her work on Blood Means Nothing (2019), My Week with Maisy (2024), Early Doors: Live (2021) and the Monty Python live show, there’s non-stop talent both on and off the stage.

One of the best part parts about a series that was stretched across just 12 half-hour episodes of TV is that you can just about manage to squeeze in the majority of the most memorable highlights into the approximately 1h50m run-time.

You can see the cast’s recent interview on This Morning HERE and for a short trailer for a better look at what to expect down below:

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Fawlty Towers – The Play comes to the Manchester Opera House on Tuesday, 4 November 2025 and will be there until Saturday, 8 November.

General admission is live as we speak, with ticket options starting from £20 and going all the way up to £147.50 for the best premium seats and experience in the house.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

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