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10 of the best theatre shows to see in Greater Manchester in 2024
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Emily Sergeant -
28th December 2023 
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 2024 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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The Rocky Horror Show
Opera House Manchester
23 – 28 January 2024
The Rocky Horror Show is coming to Manchester’s iconic Opera House next month.
Famously combining science fiction, horror, comedy, and music, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, and they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter, making it an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.
All set to celebrate 50 years of non-stop partying, this special anniversary production of the smash-hit musical is directed by Christopher Luscombe, and it’s gearing up to thrill audiences with countless “fun and naughty moments”.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Sister Act
Manchester Palace Theatre
18 – 30 March 2024
Sister Act will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre in March 2024.
Disco diva Deloris’ life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a murder. Placed under protective custody, she is hidden in the one place she shouldn’t be found – a convent. Encouraged to help the struggling choir, she helps her fellow sisters find their true voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own.
Featuring original music by Tony and Oscar award-winner, Alan Menken, and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, Sister Act is described is as “joyous and uplifting in equal measures”.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Madagascar The Musical
Opera House Manchester
8 – 11 February 2024
Madagascar The Musical is taking to the stage at Manchester’s Opera House in February 2024, and it couldn’t be more ideal for a family night out.
Based on the DreamWorks animated film of the same name, Madagascar The Musical invites audiences along on a journey with “all of your favourite crack-a-lackin’ friends” as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to “the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar”.
The smash-hit production is already being described by critics as “a wacky adventure for the whole family” that’s truly brought to life on stage.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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The Book of Mormon
Manchester Palace Theatre
11 September – 5 October 2024
The Book of Mormon is coming back to Manchester in late 2024.
The hilarious musical production – which is the multi-award-winning work of South Park creators, Trey Parker and Matt Stone – will take to the stage at the Palace Theatre in mid-September, after it was last here in our city back in 2021 and was subject to a series of cancellations and reschedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, The Book of Mormon follows a pair of Mormon boys who are sent on a mission to a place that’s a long way from their home in Salt Lake City.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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SIX
The Lowry
13 August – 1 September 2024
SIX is back at The Lowry next summer.
Described as being “the crowning glory of Broadway, the West End, and beyond”, the multi award-winning musical is making its royal return to Greater Manchester next August following its previous sell-out successes in the city.
From Tudor Queens to pop princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Hairspray
Manchester Palace Theatre
16 – 27 July 2024
Hairspray heading out on a tour of the UK and Ireland in 2024, and will be stopping off in Manchester at the Palace Theatre for the summer.
Centering around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has “big hair, a big heart, and big dreams”, the musical is known and loved by millions worldwide since it first opened on Broadway all way back in 2002, and has had audiences tapping their feet on the West End and in countless other cities and countries across the globe ever since.
The eight Tony Award wins and the record-breaking 11 Olivier Award nominations prove that all to well, as does the smash-hit success of the 2007 film adaptation too.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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101 Dalmatians
Manchester Palace Theatre
30 July – 10 August 2024
101 Dalmatians is arriving to entertain Manchester audiences next summer.
Opening at the Palace Theatre in late July 2024, 101 Dalmatians is known and loved by millions worldwide – but while the story may be a familiar tale to millions across the world, it has never been told quite like this before.
With a book by Johnny McKnight, and music and lyrics composed and written by Douglas Hodge, this new musical comes from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris, and is being reimagined from what was the critically-acclaimed Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production back in 2022.
The story is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs, and, of course, irresistible puppies.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Only Fools and Horses: The Musical
Opera House Manchester
11 – 23 November 2024
Only Fools and Horses The Musical is coming to Manchester, and will take to the Opera House stage in November 2024.
Directed by the originating West End director Caroline Jay Ranger, and with a script and original score written by John’s son, Jim Sullivan, alongside comedy giant Paul Whitehouse, Manchester audiences are being told to prepare for the classic comedy to be brought to life on stage.
With an “ingenious script” and musical contributions from actual Chas & Dave, the beloved theme tune as you’ve never heard it before, and an array of brand-new songs that are said to be “full of character and cockney charm”, the show is described as being “a feel-good family celebration of traditional working class London life” and a “right ol’ knees-up”.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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A Christmas Carol: The Musical
The Lowry
6 December 2024 – 4 January 2025
The Lowry’s annual festive season production for 2024 is set to be a jaw-dropping musical take on A Christmas Carol.
Brought to the stage by showrunners, Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens, the beloved Charles Dickens story will come to life with true broadway spectacle, and will “breathe fantastic new life” into the classic tale.
If you’re unfamiliar with the story, A Christmas Carol tells follows Ebenezer Scrooge, who believes that personal wealth is far more valuable than the happiness and comfort of others – but with an infuriated “Bah! Humbug!”, Scrooge is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, which lead him on a journey through the past, the present, and the future.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Cinderella
Opera House Manchester
14 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025
Who doesn’t love a panto at Christmas time, right?
Cinderella is Manchester Opera House’s offering for 2024, and it’s already billed as being “the fairy Godmother of all pantos”.
Packed with all the traditional pantomime ingredients that Manchester audiences expect, Cinderella will open in mid-December, and is set to feature laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, and plenty of boos and hisses – with families invited to Cinders as she goes from rags to riches, outwits her very wicked sisters, and meets her Prince Charming.
You can find out more and book tickets here.
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Featured Image – ATG Tickets
