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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
Loyle Carner announces special headline show at The Warehouse Project 2024
Danny Jones
The Warehouse Project lineup just keeps getting better as Loyle Carner has just been announced as the latest addition to the 2024 calendar.
One of the biggest hip-hop artists in Britain, Loyle Carner is heading back to Manchester just a few months on from smashing his outdoor gig at Castlefield Bowl to play an even more iconic local venue.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield this autumn, the show has been specially curated by the London-born rapper himself, featuring some of his favourite up-and-coming artists and putting on a much later performance than you’d be treated to at one of his usual tour shows.
Loyle until late followed by more music, DJ sets and partying until the early hours. Need we say more?
The 29-year-old won’t be taking to the stage until around 11pm and, in many ways, most of the fun is still yet to come longer after he exits the stage.
As you can see, the poetic musician is set to be joined by Brighton-based and thisisnq-managed duo, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Concourse stage will also hosted by Deviation with Benji B & Judah, Children of Zeus, and a number of other special guests – you’ll just have to wait and find out who they are like the rest of us.
But perhaps the biggest artist crashing the lineup is the legendary Yasiin Bey: real name Dante Terrell Smith, a.k.a. the iconic Brooklyn rapper, actor and hip-hop icon formerly known as Mos Def.
Yes, this night will see the old school collide with the genre’s next generation for an unforgettable night over in Mayfield and you do not want to miss it.
We also just can’t wait to see the Manc crowds giving off this energy again:
Pre-sale for Loyle Carner at WHP goes live on Thursday, 5 September from 10am, with general admission available from the same time on the following Friday, 6 September.
Sign up for early access online and you can be ready to grab your tickets for what we’re sure will be another magical night of live music Manchester show HERE.
And if you want to know what we made of his last visit to 0161, you can read all about it below.
Featured Images — Sirus Gahan/Jody Hartley (supplied)
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Three legendary Manchester venues to be ‘resurrected’ for special Halloween club night at Victoria Baths
Emily Sergeant
Three of Manchester’s most legendary old nightclubs are to “resurrected” for one night only this Halloween.
Returning for a “fright night of thrills” after a sell-out debut in 2023, this is your chance to travel back to a time when South, Jilly’s Rockworld, and The Tiger Lounge were still standing, as the three iconic venues will unite for The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead.
Manchester icon Clint Boon will be joined by Mikee Diablo and Max Oblivion for the one-off event at Victoria Baths in October.
The stunning Grade II-listed building is set to “show its darker side”, as the pool halls, Turkish Baths, and labyrinth of spaces undergo an epic Halloween makeover – with 100 spine-tingling skeletons, nine-foot high unearthly ghosts, a cauldron of 1,500 bats, and 500 watchful eyes.
Three legendary Manchester venues are to be ‘resurrected’ for a special Halloween club night at Victoria Baths / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
In case you’re unfamiliar with the three venues, Jilly’s Rockworld was institution with a reputation that went way beyond the city before it closed in 2010, while The Tiger Lounge was described as more of a movement than a club night, and the nights at South were often deemed “unforgettable”… and now, they’re back for more.
The trio of DJs will “manifest the spirit of Manchester’s past club scene” in a silent disco from the balcony above the Sports Hall on the night, each with their own channel.
While you relive your youth and dance the night away, a selection of “terrifying elixirs” will be bubbling on the Victoria Baths’ bar to choose from, including beers, spirits, and creepy cocktails, and for those with the ‘monster munchies’, there’ll also be plenty of tuck-shop style snacks to tuck into.
Fancy dress is encouraged, and there’ll be ‘spooky swag bag prizes’ for those who impress.
Tickets are now on sale for the special one-off spooky event / Credit: Chris Payne (via Supplied)
The Silence of the Baths: Back from the Dead will take over Victoria Baths on Saturday 26 October, with doors creaking open from 7pm, and tickets are now on sale here and setting you back £16 each (plus a booking fee).
The event sold out last year, so early ticket purchase is recommended.
All ticket purchases for Halloween events support the work of Victoria Baths Trust to preserve Victoria Baths, so that communities can continue to enjoy this inspiring building.
Emily Sergeant -
24th July 2024 
