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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.

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Featured Image – ATG Tickets

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A massive festival full of rare trainers is coming back to Manchester next month

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A massive festival full of some of the rarest trainers in Europe is once again heading back to Manchester next month.

If you’d consider yourself to be a ‘sneakerhead’, or just a big fan of everything street wear, then you’ll probably be buzzing to hear that Europe’s leading sneaker event is on its way back to Greater Manchester in just a few weeks time, and will once again be taking over the Bowler’s Exhibition Centre in Stretford for a day of rare shoes, DJs, and street food.

Crepe City Sneaker Festival will see more than 150 of the UK’s top sneaker vendors showcase some of the rarest and most-desirable pairs of trainers.

After proving to be a smash-hit success in our city in previous years, the festival is back this Spring, and you can also expect to see the hottest in streetwear, as well as some of the most exclusive sneakers.

A massive festival full of rare trainers is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Crepe City

If all of that wasn’t enough to get you excited as it is, you’ll also be able to find some of the best and most varied street food on site, as well as live music performances and Manchester-based DJs playing throughout the day too.

Crepe City was originally launched in London over a decade ago, with co-founder Ronal Raichura quitting his job as a lawyer to set up an event for sneaker fans to swap, sell and buy.

The 2023 Manchester edition of the festival will run from 12pm on Sunday 19 March, and as always, is expected to attract a huge audience.

Crepe City Sneaker Festival will bring together more than 150 of the UK’s top sneaker vendors / Credit: Crepe City

Tickets to the 2023 festival are now available to get your hands on.

A ‘Standard Admission’ ticket including entry to the experience from 12pm setting you back just £13.75, or if you’re eager to get in there before it starts, the ‘Early Admission’ tickets for £18 lets you have access to the festival from 11am and even throws in a beer or soft drink.

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Grab your tickets here.

Featured Image – Crepe City

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Watch live – Sticky Heat rave in Cheetham Hill to be streamed this weekend by StreamGM

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Renowned suburban club night Sticky Heat is partnering with StreamGM for a rave in Cheetham Hill, to be live-streamed across the globe.

The massive party will celebrate Sticky’s big ‘3’ at The Yard, a music and creative venue on Bent Street.

Part of the night will be live-streamed, as episode four of StreamGM’s ongoing MainRoom series – you can join in the party below with our stream on The Manc website.

The digital clubbing series platforms emerging DJ talent and underground club nights across Manchester, but reaches an audience across the world, taking our globally-renowned nightlife scene to far-flung cities and towns.

The MainRoom streams are used as soundtracks to house parties, or rewatched for research into future nights out in the city.

Previous partnerships have included FAC51 The Hacienda, Supernature Disco, Not Bad for a Girl and Bombard Groove, with loads more ‘off piste’ raves to be announced in the coming weeks.

This weekend’s Sticky Heat rave will be headlined by Belgian DJ duo The Glimmers, supported by residents Muddy Feet, Massey and Marco Giannini.

Sticky Heat parties focus on bringing over artists who have either not played in Manchester before, or haven’t visited the city for a long time, taking over venues like The Carlton Club, Gorilla, YES and their new home The Yard.

The actual event at The Yard is expected to sell out and promises to be a night to remember – the final tickets are on sale now with Skiddle.

And if you do miss out on tickets, you can always join the MainRoom broadcast below instead, which will go live between 10pm and 1am on Saturday 4 February.

MainRoom episode 4 with Sticky Heat

MainRoom producer Laura Graham said: “We are made up to be partnering with Sticky Heat one of THE best, musically minded nights out in Greater Manchester.

“MainRoom is all about shining a spotlight on brilliant & talented DJs, and eclectic and inclusive events in the region that people outside of the M60 may not be so familiar with, and Sticky Heat more than fits the bill.

“The Yard is also a real gem of a venue, and the team are super excited to be broadcasting from such a unique space in the heart of Cheetham Hill.”

Sticky Heat’s music policy is as eclectic as their booking policy, with artists encouraged to play with no musical boundaries, and to go in whatever direction they choose to do so. Added with a loyal community who are as musically open minded as they are welcoming.

Sticky Heat co-founder and resident spinner Marco Giannini said: “Sticky Heat is incredibly excited to be collaborating with Stream GM for our 3rd birthday and housewarming party at The Yard in February.

“The Yard is such a special and culturally significant venue for Manchester, and fully accessible for wheelchair users, which is important for Sticky Heat as we always try and make our events as inclusive as possible.

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“We have always taken pride in putting together well thought out and planned lineups for our parties, so to bring The Glimmers back to Manchester (and we think maybe even the UK), for the first time since 2015 is quite a coup.”

He continued: “Couple this with our community who really are the backbone of our parties, our new home at The Yard and our trio of residents Muddy Feet, Massey & Marco Giannini, this promises to be a really exciting live stream for those tuning in at home and in different countries. You’ll really get to see what makes this night so special.

“You can tell the second you walk into Sticky Heat that it’s just a really strong community.”

StreamGM have recently partnered with digital wallet app Folio, to ensure their users never miss their live broadcasts, with benefits including: exclusive content, priority guest list at in person events and ticket notifications.

Become a StreamGM member and get a reminder for the Sticky Heat MainRoom stream going live – hit the ‘Get Membership’ button on the homepage.

Featured image: Marco Giannini

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