Award-winning musical Jesus Christ Superstar is heading out on a UK tour later this year, and it’s kicking things off here in Manchester.
Following several acclaimed and sold-out runs in the West End, as well as an extensive tour right across the US and Canada, it’s now been announced that the Olivier Award-winning reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s celebrated musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, will take to the stage at some of the country’s best-loved theatres.
Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bradford, Sunderland, and Blackpool are just a handful of the Northern locations the show will be stopping off at – with several other major UK cities also on the lineup.
But what better way to kick things off than with a visit to see us here in Manchester?
Jesus Christ Superstar will be taking over Manchester’s Palace Theatre for a two-week run from Monday 11 – Saturday 23 September 2023.
ADVERTISEMENT
📣 NEW SHOW ALERT 📣
We are thrilled to announce that the iconic global phenomenon, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR comes to the Palace Theatre this September.
📅 Mon 11 – Sat 23 September 🎟️ On sale to ATG Theatre Card holders: Mon 20 Feb @ 12pm 🎟️ General on sale: Thu 23 Feb @ 10am pic.twitter.com/lk9k6toGKd
Featuring music and lyrics by Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar, and Tony winners Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this version of the beloved production first staged all the way back in 1971 was reimagined by London’s Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre – which is actually where it originated – and is headed up by director Timothy Sheader and choreographer Drew McOnie.
Unfamiliar with the award-winning production? A global phenomenon that has wowed audiences for decades, Jesus Christ Superstar’s iconic 1970s rock score was originally released as a concept album and opened on Broadway in 1971 at the Mark Hellinger Theatre.
ADVERTISEMENT
The show is set against the backdrop of an extraordinary series of events during the final weeks in the life of Jesus Christ, as seen through the eyes of Judas.
The legendary score includes smash-hit songs like ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, ‘Gethsemane’, and the stand-out ‘Superstar’.
Jesus Christ Superstar to kick off 2023 UK tour in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
Speaking ahead of the start of the UK tour, the show’s producer David Ian said: “I am thrilled to be taking this award-winning production on tour in 2023 and 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre has created a fresh and bold new version of a beloved classic, which will enthrall both longtime fans of the show and delight those seeing it for the very first time”.
There’s a big listening party for Taylor Swift’s new album happening in Manchester this week
Emily Sergeant
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.
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.
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.
Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester next year
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.
👢 On sale to ATG+ members 👢
Kinky Boots The Musical, is strutting back to Manchester in a new production starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe and rising star Dan Partridge.
“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.”
Emily Sergeant -
2nd March 2023 
