A stage musical adaptation of one of the best-loved animated movie franchises of the 2000s is coming to Manchester.
Madagascar – The Musical is heading out on a tour of the UK later this year, with several major towns and cities already lined-up to welcome the popular show to their stage – and now, we can add Manchester to the list of lucky locations.
Producers have confirmed the smash-hit production is making a stop off here in early 2024.
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”.
A musical version of Madagascar is coming to Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets
The show follows king of the jungle, Alex the lion – who is the main attraction at New York’s Central Park Zoo – and his best friends, Marty the zebra, Melman the giraffe, and Gloria the hippo, who have all spent their whole lives in blissful captivity before an admiring public, and with regular meals provided for them.
ADVERTISEMENT
But mischevious Marty is not content to leave well enough alone, and lets his curiosity get the better of him to make an escape.
With the help of some prodigious penguins, he sets out to explore the world.
ADVERTISEMENT
It’s taking to the stage at Manchester Opera House in February 2024 / Credit: Madagascar the Musical
Brought to the stage by production company Selladoor Family, with award-winning director Kirk Jameson at the helm, choreography from Fabian Aloise, colourful set design by Tom Rogers, and impressive puppet work by Max Humphries and Emma Brunton, Madagascar – The Musical is already being described by critics as “a wacky adventure for the whole family” that’s truly brought to life on stage.
The stellar cast includes includes Joseph Connor as Alex, Posi Morakinyo as Marty, Connor Dyer as Melman), and Hannah Victoria as Gloria.
🦓 ON SALE NOW 🦓
Madagascar The Musical will be heading to Manchester in February 2024 🐾
Tickets are on sale now, so move it, move it and grab them while you can – https://t.co/2f8IrPeFZG
Tame Impala announces another HUGE Manchester gig after chart-topping success
Emily Sergeant
Tame Impala has announced another UK and EU tour in 2027 to celebrate recent chart-topping success.
Following sold-out runs across the globe in 2025 and 2026 – including here in Manchester – and currently in the midst of a North American arena tour, Tame Impala has announced a new run of dates for next year – with a mix of headline and festival appearances.
The announcement arrives as Kevin Parker – better known by his project name, Tame Impala – continues an extraordinary run with his latest studio album Deadbeat, released last year.
On Deadbeat, Parker aimed to sculpt a collection of ‘wickedly potent’ club-psych explorations as a vehicle for some of his most direct, ear-wormy songwriting to date.
Tame Impala has announced another huge Manchester gig after chart-topping success / Credit: Julian Klincewicz (Supplied)
After recently being featured in the new Marvel film, Spiderman: Brand New Day, the lead single from the album, ‘Loser’, has just hit number one on the Global Spotify chart.
Not only that, but the remix of the hit song ‘Dracula’, featuring JENNIE, also remains in the top 10 on various global charts, and the original version has also nominated for Best Alternative at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Critics described this most recent run of gigs as ‘one of the best live shows of the year’, so it only makes sense that he’d be back for more.
Kicking off on 28 May 2027 in here in Manchester, Tame Impala will be taking to the Co-op Live stage once again, before heading down to the capital for two nights at The O2 on 1 and 2 June, and then popping over to Paris, Rotterdam, and Cologne to.
Wet Leg will open all headlining dates next year, including here in Manchester.
Tickets go on sale this week, with Co-op Member Presale kicking off at 9am on Wednesday (26 August), followed by General Sale also at 9am on Friday (28 August).
A reimagined dance music celebration is coming to Manchester later this year
Thomas Melia
Get ready to hear some of the biggest anthems in dance music, reimagined and given an orchestral transformation right here in Manchester city centre.
Powerhouse music business Ministry of Sound has been uplifting and promoting dance music through its varied and electric live events for over three decades.
Now, it’s putting an all-new take on all your favourite dancefloor fillers that have been released over the past 30 years with a 31-piece orchestra, a whole team of vocalists and a stacked setlist.
Expect to hear the likes of Fatboy Slim with his huge tune ‘Right Here, Right Now’ alongside Darude’s standout hit ‘Sandstorm’, as performed by a live orchestral arrangement and light production.
After receiving a great reception at major music settings like Gone Wild, The Big Feastival and Silverstone Festival, paired with a sold-out show at the Royal Albert Hall, this all-new live show now visits the music capital of the North.
Of course, it’s only fitting that Manchester gets the chance to experience this innovative twist on classics and anthems, considering the city’s vibrant club contributions like the Madchester scene and legendary music institution the Hacienda.
Now, dance, house and trance spanning the past 30 years come together courtesy of the Ministry of Sound Classical, playing out across UK locations like Brighton, Newcastle and Birmingham, as well as Manchester.
The show is playing out at city-centre gig hotspot O2 Apollo, and is about to teach 3,500 Mancunians dance music history through a dance-meets-orchestra concert like no other.
This live music extravaganza is organised and led by dance music pioneers Ministry of Sound, who developed and defined the 1990s house music scene in London and across the country.
Ministry of Sound Classical is heading to O2 Apollo in Manchester on Friday 18 December with tickets and more information available HERE.
Featured Image – Press Shot (Supplied via Ministry of Sound)
Emily Sergeant -
11th July 2023 
