The days are getting lighter, the daffodils bursting into bloom, the weather warming up – and what better time than spring to start planning your festive season… right?
Well like it or not, panto season is shaping up nicely already, with comedy legend Jason Manford lined up to star in this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk at the Manchester Opera House.
The Salford comedian is reuniting with Ben Nickless on stage, with additional dates added due to popular demand.
The announcement yesterday confirmed the return of the beloved theatre’s huge pantomime season, which will kick off from Saturday 2 December 2023.
Jason Manford will star as Jack, while panto favourite Ben will take on the role of Silly Simon. This will be their second year performing together.
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Jason began his career in 1999, working at the Buzz Comedy Club in Chorlton, and since then has regularly packed-out theatres and arenas up and down the country with his award-winning comedy.
Jason Manford as Captain Hook in last year’s panto. Credit: Publicity picture
He’s a familiar face on TV too, presenting shows like Unbeatable, Sunday Night at The Palladium and The Royal Variety Performance, and on stages in the West End and across the UK.
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His previous theatre roles have included Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, and Curtains.
On his return to panto after a triumphant year as Captain Hook in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Jason Manford said: “I know I joked about Peter Pan being my ‘farewell debut’ in Panto, but in truth I had such a wonderful time last Christmas that I was itching to do it again.
“So, to be invited back to the Opera House in Manchester with such a fun and collaborative company and alongside my new best mate, the hilarious Ben Nickless, well, how could I say no?
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“This Christmas I’ll be putting down the hook and stepping into the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, and I’m very much looking forward to playing the nice guy!
“The Manchester audiences are second to none, so I’m really honoured to be part of your Christmas panto tradition once again.”
Britain’s Got Talent finalist and Rochdale native Ben Nickless started his working life playing the comedy clubs in the North-West and his career took off in 2006 when he performed his own style of comedy and impressions on the BBC television series Let Me Entertain You alongside Brian Conley and Christine Bleakley, winning his episode.
Ben, who returns to the Opera House for his fifth consecutive year, said: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Manchester for my fifth pantomime at the Opera House and especially convincing Jason to come back with me (didn’t take much… a caramel latte, 2 steak bakes and a yum yum from Greggs). Jason and I had such a great time working and laughing together last year, we thought we should do one more together and I can’t wait to get started on some new routines for the amazing Manchester audiences.
Michael Harrison, chief executive of the UK’s biggest pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes said: “Jason was such a hit last year in Manchester that it was a no brainer to ask him back for another season, he is a comedic legend and together with Opera House favourite Ben Nickless the show has all the ingredients to delight comedy lovers looking for a great time this Christmas.
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“I’m thrilled to have them both back for the gigantic adventure of Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas at The Opera House.”
Robin Hawkes, theatre director of the Palace Theatre and Opera House said: “Last year was our most successful pantomime to date, with thousands of visitors relishing what quickly became a showstopping partnership between Jason and Ben.
“The entire show was a runaway success, and we are therefore thrilled these two titans of comedy will be reunited on our stage later this year. Our pantomimes are a well-loved festive staple for many, and we’re excited to welcome current and first-time theatregoers to experience what is sure to be a gigantic success for both the Opera House and Manchester’s ever-growing cultural scene.”
Jack and the Beanstalk replaces the originally announced production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and will now run from Saturday 2 December through to New Year’s Eve, with the addition of eight more shows due to popular demand.
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
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Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester – tickets, times, setlist and more for UK tour
Thomas Melia
Singer-songwriter and social media star Alex Warren is visiting Co-op Live, Manchester, for two nights of out of the ‘Ordinary’ live music.
One of the founding members of the TikTok group, the ‘Hype House’, which also included fellow pop performer Addison Rae, Warren has gone on to receive global recognition for his contributions to music.
Born in California, it’s no surprise his music has managed to catapult into the mainstream as he’s been mastering content creation since he was 10 on YouTube.
His music journey began back in 2021, when he released music as an independent artist in 2021 before signing a record deal one year later, dropping the chart-topping ‘Ordinary’ in 2025.
Now, Alex Warren prepares for his biggest UK tour to date, and he’s playing two shows right here in Manchester at the 23,500 seater Co-op Live in April and May.
Gig guide | Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester – all you need to know
Alex Warren is visiting Manchester at Co-op Live on 27 April and 4 May / Credit: Press Shots (supplied)
Alex Warren UK tour dates
Fri 24 April – Birmingham, UK – Utilita Arena
Sun 26 April – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
Mon 27 April – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 29 April – Leeds, UK – First Direct Arena
Thu 30 April – Nottingham, UK – Motorpoint Arena
Sat 2 May – Belfast, UK – SSE Arena
Mon 4 May – Manchester, UK – Co-op Live
Wed 6 May – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Thu 7 May – Dublin, IE – 3Arena
Are there tickets left for Alex Warren at Co-op Live?
If you’re looking for somebody to ‘Save You a Seat’, look no further as you can get tickets to Alex Warren’s 27 April at Co-op Live HERE.
And don’t find yourself in ‘Troubled Waters’, make sure you grab tickets for Alex Warren at Co-op Live on 4 May HERE.
Stage times for Alex Warren at Co-op Live, Manchester
Warren has built a cult following thanks to chart-topping hits like ‘Ordinary’ (Credit: Press shots)
Co-op Live has a strict curfew of 11pm, meaning you can still get home without ‘Chasing Shadows’.
Supporting Alex Warren on the night will be Claire Rosinkranz, a singer-songwriter from California with tracks like ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘Backyard Boy’.
How to get to Co-op Live
Tram
For those of you heading to Co-op Live, you’ll be glad to know it’s right next door to a rather famous big blue stadium and its integrated Metrolink stop.
Head along the light blue or orange lines directly to the Etihad Campus or Ashton-under-Lyne, and you can get off the tram literally spitting distance from the arena. You can find the full map HERE.
Trams run frequently on the Ashton-Eccles line to the Etihad stop, with services leaving every six minutes from the city centre and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bus
You can find the full list of bus routes HERE, with the one in closest proximity to the venue being the 53 bus, which runs from Cheetham Hill through to Higher Crumpsall, Old Trafford and Pendleton, leaving just a two-minute walk to Co-op Live.
If you’re driving, there is limited parking available at the venue, but this must be pre-booked ahead of time, and there are designated drop-off areas.
The postcode is M11 3DU, and you can follow the signs towards the wider Etihad Campus as you get closer; directions to the adjacent drop-off points will also be signposted.
Keep in mind that congestion on the roads close to the stadium is expected to gather around two hours prior to any event, so if you are travelling on the road, these are the suggested times they provide on event day, though estimates will obviously vary:
Alan Turing Way (both directions): plan an additional 20 minutes into any journey by road.
Hyde Road (eastbound): expect an additional 15 minutes to be added to your journey.
Mancunian Way (westbound): plan for an extra 10 minutes of travel time.
There are also three park-and-ride facilities near Co-op Live, but be advised that the Velopark and Holt Town stops will be closed post-event to help safely manage crowds:
Ashton West (Ashton line) – 184 spaces and 11 disabled spaces
Ladywell (Ashton-Eccles line) – 332 spaces and 22 disabled spaces
Walk/cycle
Lastly, Co-op Live is only a half-hour stroll from Manchester Piccadilly, and you could even walk along the canal all the way to the front door if you fancy taking the scenic route.
Greater Manchester now also offers the option to hire bikes on the Beryl app, with riders able to locate, unlock, get to their destination and then safely lock up the bike all through an easy-to-use app. There are hire points just near the south-west corner of the Etihad Stadium on Ashton New Road.
For more information on all travel options, you can check out the enhanced journey planner.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd March 2023 
