Affiliate

A musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Manchester next summer

This article contains affiliate links.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 27th June 2022

A musical version of Roald Dahl’s iconic children’s classic Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is heading out on a UK tour in 2023.

And it’s set to stop off here in Manchester next summer.

After already proving to be a smash-hit on both the Broadway stage and in the West End, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical, which is based off the 1964 Roald Dahl novel of the same name and the Warner Bros. film, is coming to Manchester Palace Theatre from 4 – 30 July 2023, and tickets are due to go on sale very soon.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the story, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical tells “the devilishly delicious tale” of young golden ticket winner Charlie Bucket and the mysterious confectionary wizard Willy Wonka.

A synopsis for the musical production reads: “When Charlie wins a golden ticket to the weird and wonderful Wonka Chocolate Factory, it’s a chance of a lifetime to feast on the sweets they’ve always dreamed of.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But beyond the gates astonishment awaits, as down the sugary corridors and amongst the incredible and edible delights, the five lucky winners discover not everything is as sweet as it seems.

“This sensational musical is choc-full of fantastical treats to dazzle your senses taking you to a world of pure imagination.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It features memorable songs from the beloved 1970s film, as well as a host of new numbers.

Charlie and Chocolate Factory – The Musical has a book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Mark Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and is directed by James Brining and designed by Simon Higlett.

Read more: The Lion King adds even more dates to Manchester theatre run

ADVERTISEMENT
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical is coming to Manchester Palace Theatre from 4 – 30 July 2023 / Credit: Supplied

Liverpool, Hull, and Sunderland are among the other Northern locations making up the UK tour of the highly-anticipated production.

Tickets go on sale on Friday 8 July, and you can grab yours here.

Featured Image – Joan Marcus (via Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – The Musical)

Affiliate

There’s a big listening party for Taylor Swift’s new album happening in Manchester this week

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant The Tortured Poets Department - a Taylor Swift listening party is happening this week in Manchester

One of the biggest, if not the biggest, popstars in the world right now will be releasing a brand-new album this Friday, and there’s a dedicated listening party happening in Manchester especially for the occasion.

Yes, we’re of course talking about Taylor Swift.

In case you aren’t a Swiftie, or you just generally weren’t aware, Taylor Swift announced back in early February that she would be unleashing her eleventh studio album, titled The Tortured Poets Department, on the world on 19 April.

Just like anything the 34-year-old singer-songwriter does, the surprise announcement of the new album – which is a follow-up to her 2022 critically-acclaimed and GRAMMY award-winning album, Midnights – pretty much broke the internet when it happened, and her dedicated fans have been counting down the days ever since.

Now, after months of eagerly waiting, the big day is finally happening this Friday, and in a bid to properly mark what a massive day it will be, one popular Manchester venue has decided to host a dedicated listening party, so that Swifties can unite under one roof and celebrate the special occasion together.

Fairfield Social Club (FSC) which has recently opened its doors in the heart of Manchester city centre, is inviting fans to “gather with your closest Swifties” and head on down to its Green Quarter venue this Friday for a night that’s “dedicated to Tay Tay and her legacy”.

Not only will you get to hear The Tortured Poets Department in full from start to finish surrounded by dozens of fellow fans, but there’ll also be a bunch of other Swift-themed activities too.

There’s a big Taylor Swift new album listening party happening in Manchester this week / Credit: FSC

These include a Taylor Swift pub quiz with questions to all about her life and groundbreaking career to test your knowledge, friendship bracelet-making sessions, and just the chance to share the love and swap stories with other Swifties.

If all of that didn’t sound brilliant enough as it is, there’s also set to be a selection of themed cocktails to sip whilst you spend time ruminating on what Taylor meant in the lyrics of her songs only released a few hours prior.

Oh, and the best bit? FSC promises there “won’t be a Scooter Braun in sight” on the night.

Read more:

The Tortured Poets Department Listening Party is taking over Fairfield Social Club this Friday 19 April from 7pm right through until 10pm – with tickets now on sale setting you back just £6 each, and already selling fast.

Grab tickets to the party here.

Featured Image – Flickr

Affiliate

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots is heading out on a tour of the UK next year, and the talented cast will be stopping off here in Manchester.

The Broadway and West End phenomenon, which is based on a true story and is an adaptation of a 2005 film of the same name, has become known and loved by musical theatre fans all across the globe since its stage debut back in 2012, and has scooped up several Tonys, Olivier Awards, and GRAMMYs along the way.

And now, it’s set for a revival starring Strictly Come Dancing‘s Johannes Radebe, and the production will be touring the UK and Ireland from January 2025.

Kinky Boots The Musical features a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, and this new production will be directed by Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster – who has famously helmed productions of The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot, to name a few – as well as starring the fan-favourite Strictly pro as Lola, alongside and rising star Dan Partridge as Charlie Price.

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester / Credit: Ollies Rosser (via Supplied)

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Kinky Boots story, here’s brief rundown.

After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price, but that is until he meets Lola – a drag queen whose “sparkle and unsteady heels” might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.

The 2025 revival production is already being billed as “guaranteed to raise you up” and “celebrate everybody’s individuality” when it arrives here in Manchester next February.

“Kinky Boots is one of the things I’m proudest of in my career,” commented Cyndi Lauper, on the musicals return to the road across the UK.

“I’m so excited that audiences will get to see it again, in a new production, as it’s like a happy pill, and we could all use some of that right now, so I can’t think of a better time or place to relaunch this special show in its place of origin.”

Read more:

Kinky Boots The Musical will be taking to the iconic Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 4-8 February 2025, and tickets are set general

You can grab your tickets when they go on sale here.

Featured Image – Ollie Rosser (via Supplied)

More Affiliate

lineup for manchester music festival in garden centre

Affiliate

Another wave of acts has been added to the Green Island Festival 2024 lineup this summer

Affiliate

Award-winning classic musical Mary Poppins is returning to Manchester next year

The Libertines add third extra Manchester gig

Affiliate

The Libertines add yet another Manchester date to UK tour following massive demand

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches