A brand-new stage adaptation of a beloved early 00s film is set to have its world premiere right here in Manchester.
That’s right – A Knight’s Tale has been turned into a comedy musical.
A Knight’s Tale may be one of Chaucer’s most well-known Canterbury Tales, but for most of us, we tend to be more familiar with Brian Helgeland’s iconic 2001 medieval action comedy film of the same name instead, which of course starred the late great Heath Ledger, alongside Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, and more.
And its the latter that has now been reimagined for modern day and turned into a brand-new comedy stage musical that will charge into Manchester early next year.
From the production team behind recent stage smash-hits including Disney’s Newsies, and 2:22 A Ghost Story, the brand-new A Knight’s Tale The Musical has been adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley, directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh, and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole.
MANCHESTER: get ready for a Knight you won’t forget 💘
The brand-new comedy musical A KNIGHT’S TALE (based on the iconic 2001 film) is charging into @PalaceAndOpera for its WORLD PREMIERE from April 2025.
— A Knight’s Tale Musical (@ukknightstale) July 23, 2024
It’s gearing up to be a “rip-roaring tale of chivalry, jousting, heroes, and villains”.
Not only that, but just like the popular film, audiences in Manchester are being told to expect a “truly rockin’ soundtrack” that’s packed with chart-topping hits.
Unfamiliar with the premise of the cult-classic film? Ledger plays William Thatcher – a 14th century peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between Will and his dream of becoming the World Champion of the most extreme of sports, however, is the bad boy of the sport Count Adhemar.
The two rivals then go lance to lance at the world finals, and it’s a pretty epic finale to say the least.
The world premiere of A Knight’s Tale The Musical is to open in Manchester next year / Credit: Columbia Pictures | Wikimedia Commons
Just like the film, A Knight’s Tale The Musical apparently “has it all”, so you’re invited to join Will Thatcher and his band of merry misfits for “a Knight like no other” when the show takes to the legendary Manchester Opera House stage next April.
“Over 20 years ago, I had the time of my life surrounded by a supreme cast and crew making a film we all fell in love with while we were joyfully making it,” commented Brian Helgeland ahead of the musical’s Manchester debut.
“Sitting at a recent read through of the stage version, I could feel that same joy and love emerging, and I am grateful for the new life they are creating and very eager to see it in all its fully staged glory.”
A Knight’s Tale The Musical will take to the Manchester Opera House stage on 11 April 2025, and run right through until 10 May 2025, and tickets go on general sale next Thursday 1 August at 10am – with members’ pre-sales running prior.
A huge Hot Wheels monster truck event is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
A massive Hot Wheels-themed monster truck event is coming to Manchester city centre as part of a brand new UK tour.
You can file this under one for the kids and for the big kids.
Following the success of the brand’s award-winning ‘Glow-N-Fire’ event earlier this year, Hot Wheels is hitting the road once again and bringing the explosive show to yet more domestic audiences.
Whether you’re a monster truck enthusiast, part of the wider motorhead masses, or simply looking for something fun to do with the little ones, you should be all over this.
Credit: Pres shots (supplied)
What is Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire?
Produced by Family Entertainment Live, Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ sees versions of the genuine collectable toys brought to life on the biggest scale possible.
Remember that old miniature car you had that looked like a shark? Yep, they’ve even got that.
But there’s much more than just colossally large vehicles; as well as the debut of an all-new truck called the ‘Rhinomite’ – the dynamite Rhino-themed truck which charges horn-first into challenges and looks to destroy the competition – the new and improved experience will feature never-before-seen stunts.
Performed not only by the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks drivers, but also by a talented roster of FMX (freestyle motocross), you can expect the likes of no-handed front flips and much more by these impressive professionals.
Returning not only to the capital but now Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds too, more and more Brits are going to be able to see the action for themselves.
Credit: Supplied
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live – UK tour dates
Saturday to Sunday, 3-4 January 2026: AO Arena, Manchester
Sat-Sun, 10-11 January: The O2 Arena, London
Sat-Sun, 28-29 March: First Direct Bank Arena, Leeds
Sat-Sun, 4-5 April: M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Sat-Sun, 11-12 April: Utilita Arena, Birmingham
With special children’s pricing, VIP packages and even the chance to participate in the official pre-show party, held two and a half hours prior to every performance, there really is so much value-for-money to be soaked up from this high-octane piece of live entertainment at the AO Arena.
The pre-show party, specifically, gives fans a unique opportunity to access the arena floor where they can get up close and personal with the outrageous Hot Wheels designs and the truly epic size of a minster struck, as well as grab autographs and selfies with their favourites.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks – Manchester tickets
Glow-N-Fire won the most recent Pollstar ‘Family Show of the Year’ award and has sold thousands of tickets this year alone, so it goes without saying that you have every reason to give this one a go.
Tickets for next year’s Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live show at the AO Arena in Manchester go on sale this Friday, 5 September at 10am.
Rick Astley to play Co-op Live on major UK arena tour – with big-name supporting act
Emily Sergeant
Rick Astley has announced a major UK and Ireland arena tour, and of course he’ll be playing a huge gig here in Manchester.
The Newton-le-Willows native started his remarkable career all the way back in 1987 when he became an unlikely global phenomenon after his era-defining smash ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ established him as an international chart-topping, BRIT Award winning global star, following by a debut album that sold a whopping 15.2 million copies worldwide.
But then he stepped away from the spotlight, and seemingly left that chapter of his life behind – that was until he returned to the charts in 2016 and has stayed at the top of his game ever since.
He has collaborated with everyone from Foo Fighters to Blossoms along the way, and even did a double-bill of festival sets at Glastonbury in 2023, before releasing his latest album titled ‘Are We There Yet?’.
JUST ANNOUNCED: Rick Astley Rick returns to Co-op Live on 17 April 2026
Throughout his career, Rick has released eight studio albums, sold more than 40 million records worldwide, and has played and toured around the world multiple times.
And now he’s heading back out on the road, and will be taking to the Co-op Live stage here in Manchester next April.
He’ll be playing Co-op Live on Friday 17 April 2026, and support for the tour comes from none other than the legendary Gabrielle herself.
Other major cities Rick’ll be stopping off at along the way include the capitals London, Cardiff, Belfast, and Dublin, as well as Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Liverpool, and more.
Rick Astley – The Reflection Tour 2026
With special guest Gabrielle
Friday 10 April – Glasgow OVO Hydro
Saturday 11 April – Newcastle Utilita Arena
Monday 13 April – Belfast SSE
Tuesday 14 April – Dublin 3Arena
Thursday 16 April – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
Friday 17 April – Manchester Co-op Live
Saturday 18 April – Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
Monday 20 April – Bournemouth International Centre
Tuesday 21 April – Cardiff Utilita Arena
Wednesday 22 April – Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
Friday 24 April – Birmingham bp pulse LIVE
Saturday 25 April – London The O2
After taking a break in 2025, Rick says he’s excited to head out on his UK and Ireland arena tour next year, and is looking forward to performing live again.
Rick Astley begins The Reflection Tour on 10 April 2026, before he arrives in Manchester on 17 April, and tickets go on sale this week – with presales for Co-op Live members starting at 9:30am this Wednesday (3 September), before general sale begins this Friday 5 September, again at 9:30am.
Feeling a little fancier? You can treat yourself to some VIP tickets to Rick’s Co-op Live show via SeatUnique, with a range of different packages available here.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2024 
