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Wicked is returning to Manchester as world-famous musical announces UK and Ireland tour

It's flying back in to the Palace Theatre. (Contains affiliate links)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 18th November 2022

One of the world’s most successful and loved musicals, Wicked, is returning to Manchester at long last.

The global theatre phenomenon has announced a major 10-city UK and Ireland tour, to span dates from 2023 to 2025.

Wicked will fly back in to the Palace Theatre in Manchester for six weeks only – and we already can’t wait.

The Grammy and Tony award-winning musical tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz, spinning a backstory for the lives of L. Frank Baum’s beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Audiences are taken on an enchanting journey where two unlikely university friends go on their way to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

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Wicked production photography. Credit: Supplied

The stunning production features 350 costumes, 140 wigs, 244 pairs of shoes, 110 hats, 125 pairs of gloves and 30 prosthetic masks.

Dubbed one of the most successful musicals of all time, Wicked has a touring cast and crew of 82 people and played to sold-out audiences during its previous two tours, selling more than 225,000 during its previous visits to the Palace Theatre.

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Wicked is now in its 17th year at the Apollo Victoria Theatre in London and is the fifth-longest running show in Broadway history.

Wicked production photography 2014-2015 Jennifer DiNoia Limited Engagement
Wicked production photography 2016-2017

Over the years, it’s been seen by more than 60 million people around the world and has been performed in over 130 cities in 16 countries.

Wicked executive producer (UK & Ireland) Michael McCabe,said: “We are proud to be bringing Wicked back to the magnificent Palace Theatre, where incredible audiences greeted us during two previous sold-out engagements.

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“We’re excited to have this opportunity to share once again the spectacle, magic and emotion that has created unforgettable memories for audiences in Manchester and all around the world.”

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Robin Hawkes, theatre director of the Palace Theatre & Opera House, said: “It is a privilege to be hosting this world-renowned, record-breaking production once again after its previous sell-out runs with us.

“Seeing these huge West End productions continue to return to our venues illustrates that the appetite for musical theatre in our region is stronger than ever. We look forward to watching this wonderful show cast its spell over both audience goers and our city.”

Wicked will be at the Palace Theatre in Manchester between Tuesday 3 December 2024 and Sunday 12 January 2025.

Tickets will go on general on sale from Thursday 8 June 2023 at www.atgtickets.com/manchester.

Featured image: Mark Senior

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Peter Kay adds MORE dates to his massive UK tour – including extra Manchester shows

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Peter Kay has added even more dates to his already-massive UK after teasing a “big announcement” was on its way.

In case you somehow missed it, Greater Manchester – and much of the UK, to be honest – went into a bit of a meltdown last month when the legendary Bolton-born comedian and actor announced that he is to play a whole slew of huge Manchester shows from this month as he makes a return to live comedy on his first stand-up tour in 12 years.

Rumours began circulating that the 49-year-old was preparing for a 2023 comeback tour earlier this year, but it was first confirmed that Kay was to first kick things off by doing two massive shows at the AO Arena on Friday 2 & Saturday 3 December 2022.

After that, the comic announced he would head on over to Birmingham to close out 2022, before making his way across the rest of the UK and Ireland in 2023.

Peter Kay has added even more dates to his already-massive UK tour / Credit: Peter Kay

Due to the absolutely overwhelming demand to see the comedy legend take to the stage for the first time in over a decade, with hundreds of thousands of people in online queues and tickets being snapped-up almost instantly when they went on sale, Kay decided to keep adding extra dates to the tour schedule to give all fans the chance to catch his comeback moment.

It may have just started out as two humble shows, but now, Kay is set to play a total of 42 gigs just at the AO Arena alone – running from December 2022 until May 2025.

Sales for this tour have also significantly surpassed the record Kay back in 2010 too, where he played to more than 1.2 million in a single tour.

The comedian said he was “absolutely blown away” by ticket sales.

His return to the stage after 12 years last weekend not only visibly moved Kay to tears, with heartwarming footage of the moment going viral on social media, but it also proved to be such a success with audiences that he took to Twitter on Wednesday to tease that more could be on its way – but didn’t reveal what exactly.

In a heartfelt message to fans, Kay said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to the first shows in Manchester. It was incredible to be part of such a happy experience. Everybody deserves a bit of joy.

“Here’s to a lot more in the shows to come.”

He then added that a “big announcement” was coming on the Sara Cox Drivetime Show on BBC Radio 2, and urged fans to tune in after 6pm.

While many were speculating, given the fact he had chosen to reveal the news on a Drivetime radio show, that Kay would be announcing more episodes of his beloved smash-hit TV series Peter Kay’s Careshare, but while that was a pretty educated guess, it wasn’t the announcement lined up.

Instead, Kay confirmed that, yet again, he would be adding more dates to his tour schedule.

Telling the also Bolton-born radio DJ, Kay said: “First of all, I want to say thanks to everyone who’s bought tickets to my tour, and I really do appreciate it.

“We’ve finally managed to book some more extra dates.”

Promising to keep prices as low as they were for his last tour, tickets for Peter Kay shows this time round start from £35 and go all the way up to £50, £65 and £135.

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Tickets will go on sale this Sunday from 10am for shows in cities including Manchester at the AO Arena, as well as in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow, and a whopping record-breaking 28th night at London’s O2 Arena as part of his residency.

Find out more and grab yours from See Tickets here when they go on sale.

Featured Image – BBC

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Peter Kay Live at Manchester AO Arena – times, tour dates, tickets and more

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson

Peter Kay will finally make his long-awaited return to the stage this week with a massive UK tour.

The beloved Bolton comedian is set to play a whopping 42 dates here in Manchester, as well as a monthly residency down in London at the O2.

His AO Arena dates begin on Friday 2 December and will run all the way through to 2025 (yes, really).

Peter received widespread praise when he announced his tour and promised to keep ticket prices low. 

He said: “It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now. 

“And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010. ”

But naturally, after he largely disappeared from public appearances several years ago, his return drove insane demand. 

Peter Kay could barely keep up with demand from excited fans (who briefly broke the internet) and new dates kept getting added.

If you’re lucky enough to have bagged a ticket, here’s what you need to know.

What are stage times for Peter Kay at AO Arena?

Peter Kay. Credit: BBC

As usual with the AO Arena, doors will open a bit before the show begins, and fans are advised to allow plenty of time to get through security and to find their seats. 

The doors to the venue will open around 6.30pm.

Peter Kay’s actual show will start at 8pm prompt. 

What dates will Peter Kay play at the AO Arena?

A lot of dates. Many many dates. Dates as far as the eye can see. Here they are:

  • 2-3 December 2022
  • 22-23 September 2023
  • 19-20 October 2023 
  • 5-6 November 2023
  • 1 December 2023
  • 26-27 January 2024 
  • 9-10 February 2024
  • 8-9 March 2024
  • 5-6 April 2024
  • 17-18 May 2024 
  • 14-15 June 2024
  • 26-27 July 2024
  • 23-24 August 2024 
  • 20-21 September 2024
  • 18-19 October 2024
  • 1-2 November 2024
  • 29-30 November 2024
  • 20-21 December 2024
  • 10-11 January 2025
  • 8 February 2025 
  • 5 April 2025 
  • 17 May 2025
  • 21 June 2025
  • 25 July 2025

Can I still get tickets and how much are they?

Peter Kay Car Share. Credit: BBC

Ooooh you might struggle if you want to go any time soon. 

The demand for Peter Kay’s return was so high that several ticketing platforms crashed and he added tonnes of new dates to try and cater to all his fans.

There are still tickets available for later shows all the way in 2025 if you’re happy to wait that long. 

Your best bet for an earlier date is to keep an eye on official resale sites, and be careful that you’re getting a genuine deal. 

Tickets start from £35 and go all the way up to £50, £65 and £135 – you can buy yours from See Tickets here.

Seating plan for AO Arena Manchester

According to Ticketmaster, this will be the seating plan for the AO Arena for Peter Kay’s gigs.

It’s a fully seated tour but every block is set to be in use.

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Venue security and requirements

Peter Kay in Phoenix Nights. Credit: Channel 4

The show is strictly for people aged 15+.

The AO Arena has a few strict policies to keep gig-goers safe, so make sure to check entry requirements carefully before you travel.

For example, only one small bag per person is allowed, and bags like backpacks, travel cases and laptop bags are not permitted inside the arena.

All bags are scanned on entry to check for prohibited items like laser pens, flares, projectiles, weapons, drugs and alcohol, and even selfie sticks.

Featured image: Publicity picture

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