A beloved classic Disney film has been turned into a spectacular musical production, and it’s heading out on a UK tour this summer.
And of course, the new 101 Dalmatians stage show will be making a stop off to visit us here in Manchester.
Originally a novel written by Dodie Smith all the way back in 1956, first turned into an animated film by Walt Disney Productions a few years later in 1961, and then most-notably remade as a live-action movie by Disney again starring Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, and Joely Richardson in 1996, 101 Dalmatians is tale known by millions worldwide.
It tells the story of an evil heiress named Cruella de Vil who decides to make a fur coat for herself out of the skins of Dalmatian puppies, but when teals a litter of 15 puppies, it’s up to their parents to rescue the innocent pups.
As well as the original animated film and the first live-action remake, the story of 101 Dalmatians has also been continued on with a number of sequel films and several spin-off TV shows, as well as through a recent new reimagining in 2021, titled Cruella, starring Emma Stone as the infamous title character.
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But while the story may be a familiar tale to millions across the world, never has been told quite like this before.
A musical version of 101 Dalmatians is coming to Manchester next year / Credit: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
With a book by Johnny McKnight, and music and lyrics composed and written by Douglas Hodge, this new musical that’s heading out on a tour of the UK tour in 2024 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.
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The story is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs, and, of course, irresistible puppies.
It’s now been announced that Kym Marsh will star as Cruella De Vil, with the remaining cast and creative team to be announced in the coming months.
Kym wrote: “I’ve got a tail-wagging announcement for you so lock up your puppies.. Cruella has arrived!
“I’m so excited to reveal I will be starring as the greatest villain of them all, Cruella De Vil, in the smash-hit musical, 101 Dalmatians!”
101 Dalmatians The Musical is kicking off its 2024 UK with a launch in Wimbledon, before visiting several other major cities such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Liverpool, Cardiff, Glasgow, and so many more.
James Arthur to play massive Manchester show on UK arena tour next year
Emily Sergeant
James Arthur is the latest act to announce a massive UK arena tour, and he’ll be paying a visit to Manchester next year.
On the day that Manchester’s newest live entertainment arena,Co-op Live, is set to welcome one of the world’s current biggest pop star, Sabrina Carpenter, another major pop act is set to take to that very same stage around this time next year, as James Arthur has today announced a huge arena tour.
The former X Factor winner is heading out on an 11-date tour of the UK in early 2026, and that includes a visit to our city in mid February.
After performing in some of the UK’s biggest cities in the days prior – including London’s O2, the bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, and shows in other northern cities such as Sheffield and Liverpool – the will 37-year-old singer-songwriter will stop off Manchester to close out his impressive tour.
He’ll be performing at Co-op Live on Saturday 21 February 2026.
The announcement of next year’s UK tour next year’s coincides with the upcoming release of Arthur’s highly-anticipated next studio album, PISCES.
In recent years, Arthur has cemented himself as one of the biggest names in contemporary pop and soul, amassing 11 Platinum hit singles, more 38 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and two UK number one albums along the way – including his most recent release, Bitter Sweet Love, which was celebrated with a sold-out UK and Europe arena tour, culminating in a historic performance in his hometown of Middlesbrough to an audience of 25,000 fans.
James Arthur UK arena tour dates 2025
3 February – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
4 February – Glasgow OVO Hydro
6 February – Newcastle Utilita Arena
7 February – Aberdeen P&J Live
10 February – Birmingham bp pulse LIVE
11 February – Bournemouth International Centre
13 February – Sheffield Utilita Arena
14 February – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
16 February – Cardiff Utilita Arena
18 February – London The O2
21 February – Manchester Co-op Live
James Arthur is playing a massive Manchester show on his UK arena tour next year / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
With the upcoming release of PISCES on 25 April, Arthur is said to be ‘diving deeper into his personal struggles’ to create a collection of songs that is ‘as introspective as it is sonically adventurous’.
Tickets to James Arthur’s 2026 UK arena tour, including the Manchester Co-op Live gig on Saturday 21 February, go on pre-sale next Wednesday 19 March at 9am, and then on general sale on Friday 21 February at 9am.
Find out more and get tickets when they go on sale here.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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Popular Manchester comedy festival returns with impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city with yet another impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held the last two years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place at Fairfield Social Club – which is tucked away down at the Green Quarter – the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 6 June.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup, who’ll mostly be staging ‘work in progress’ shows and sets.
Popular comedy festival A Lovely Weekend is returning to Manchester this summer / Credit: Kristyna Baczyna | Caro Ferretti
This year’s festival is bringing 19 new shows to the mix, including the likes of Edinburgh Comedy Award winners John Kearns and Jordan Brookes, and local talent done-good Rachel Fairburn and Josh Jones, as well rising stars Sharon Wanjohi, Ayoade Bamgboye, and Molly McGuinness.
Plus, you can also catch cult sensations like Mark Silcox and the formidable Frankie Monroe, making for a truly unmissable weekend of comedy.
“It’s such an honour to bring this amazing lineup of comedians to Manchester, which is quickly becoming the most exciting city for comedy in the UK,” commented festival organiser John Stansfield ahead of this summer’s event.
Co-organiser Chris Cantrill, who is also a comedian himself, added: “As a comedy fan I have to say I cannot wait for this year’s festival. It feels positively decadent.”
A Lovely Weekend 2025 will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 6 – Sunday 8 June, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Emily Sergeant -
19th October 2023 
