Theatre

13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit

Thirty, flirty and thriving…

Amy Williams Amy Williams - 1st October 2025

13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly. 

With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good. 

If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday. 

She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.

Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was? 

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I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.

13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester
Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add). 

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Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals. 

13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).

13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here. 

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Featured image: Pamela Raith Photography

Theatre

Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Legendary musical CATS will be taking to the stage here in Manchester next year.

A brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will embark on a major UK tour from summer 2026 following an open-air residency at Regent Park in London – including dates at Manchester’s prestigious Palace Theatre in November.

Based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T.S. Eliot, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history.

The show originally premiered at the New London Theatre in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.

Since its world premiere, the musical has been presented in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and has been seen by more than 77 million people worldwide – collecting a number of awards along the way.

Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Feast Creative

This new production of CATS is produced by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, as part of Drew McOnie’s second season as Artistic Director, and it marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title produced by the venue in the last decade.

Unfamiliar with the show? CATS tells the story of the Jellicle cats.

From Euston station to Victoria Grove, the strays and rebels of London gather under the Jellicle moon in the hope they’ll be the chosen one.

With a legendary score featuring well-known songs like Old Deuteronomy, Macavity: The Mystery Cat, The Jellicle Ball, and, of course, the chart-topping hit Memory, this brand-new production of CATS is gearing up to be one of the best theatrical events of 2026.

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“I am very excited to see a totally new production of CATS back on the stage where it belongs,” creator Andrew Lloyd Webber said on the show’s return. “I can think of no-one better than Drew McOnie to bring a new vision to the world of the Jellicles.”

Casting and the full creative team is set to be announced in due course, as is the on-sale date and link for tickets, so keep your eyes peeled.

Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons

Theatre

Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Ready to have the time of your life? Dirty Dancing is returning to Manchester next year.

Based off the iconic 1987 film of the same name, audiences are being told to expect this new production of Dirty Dancing to explode onto the stage with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, and of course, sensationally sexy dancing when it heads out on a grand tour of the UK and Ireland in 2026.

The popular stage production will, once again, come to life before your very eyes with what is already being described as a ‘fantastic, emotional and triumphant’ live show.

If you’ve never seen the film, or you haven’t been lucky enough to watch Dirty Dancing on stage before, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny.

Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Mark Senior

Already seen by millions across the globe, you’ll get to watch these two ‘fiercely-independent’ young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

The musical features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’, and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.

The iconic show will first be returning to the stage with a preview at Milton Keynes Theatre on 27 August 2026 before it heads out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and arrives at Manchester’s legendary Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026.

Tickets officially go on sale this week / Credit: Dirty Dancing (via X)

Once again, the show will be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks, with the producer being Karl Sydow.

“We can’t wait to bring this amazing show back to audiences across the UK and Ireland,” Karl Sydow said. “Now more than ever, theatre needs the excitement and joy that Dirty Dancing brings – you’ll have the time of your life.”

Tickets to Dirty Dancing at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026 officially go on sale this morning at 10am.

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You can get your hands on tickets here.

Featured Image – Mark Senior (Supplied)

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