Theatre

A brand new Chitty Chitty Bang Bang musical is coming to Manchester on its UK tour

How truly scrumptious. (Contains affiliate links)

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th March 2024

A new production of smash hit musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is heading to Manchester next year as part of its UK tour.

The truly scrumptious tale, which is centred around a magical flying car, has announced a run of shows at the Palace Theatre.

Audiences will be whisked on a fantastical adventure to far-away lands, with inventor Caractacus Potts and his children Jemima and Jeremy, plus the beautiful Truly Scrumptious.

This brand new production comes from David Ian for Crossroads Live, and will have Emmerdale star Liam Fox starring as Grandpa Potts.

Liam is best-known for his soap character Dan Spencer, but has also appeared in Dancing on the Edge, Cold Feet, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Clocking Off, A Touch of Frost, Always and Everyone, At Home with the Braithwaites and Dinnerladies, as well as theatre productions.

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang the musical is based on Ian Fleming’s timeless children’s story, which was later made into the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes.

Songs by the Sherman Brothers include Toot Sweets, Hushabye Mountain, Truly Scrumptious and the Academy Award-nominated title song, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will be in Manchester at the Palace Theatre between 11 and 16 March, 2025.

General sale tickets will be available from 10am on Thursday 7 March – you can get yours here.

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Featured image: Publicity picture

Theatre

Giselle, one of the greatest romantic ballets, has landed in Manchester and it’s a must-see

Eva Claricoates Eva Claricoates

When the English National Ballet is in Manchester, it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let slip by, and is almost guaranteed to be one of the most stunning performances to grace the stage – Giselle at the Palace Theatre certainly was.

Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl, who falls in love with Albrecht, a duke, who pretends to be a peasant in order to seduce the show’s namesake.

Albrecht is not only hiding his status but also an engagement to another. When Giselle finds out about his deception, she descends into madness and dies from a broken heart.

Giselle is summoned from the dead by spirits, the Wilis, all abandoned and betrayed before their wedding day. The Wilis take their revenge by dancing men to death, and Giselle must decide whether her love for Albrecht is too strong to sentence him to the same fate.

giselle ballet manchester review
giselle review palace theatre manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

Giselle tells a story of grief, heartbreak, and love, and how a true heart always avails. Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, Mary Skeaping’s production had been tenderly revived from its original performance, and it’s clear to see why the performance received five-star reviews earlier this year.

The entire production was captivating and dramatic, leaving the audience gasping, laughing and firmly glued to their seats. Adolphe Adam’s score is performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic nestled beneath the stage, which compliments the performance beautifully and skilfully.

Perhaps the most mesmerising point of the performance was the Wilis appearing in the forest at the beginning of act two, as they formed perfectly symmetrical formations, and appeared to almost float across the stage.

It served as a great medium for exploring themes of the supernatural exquisitely, providing truly stunning imagery to the audience.

Giselle uses mime to convey its storyline to the audience, and even if you are a first-time ballet-goer, it’s an easy-to-follow, modern performance which can be enjoyed by all audiences. If you’re so inclined, you can even get involved in a dedicated ballet masterclass.

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Giselle runs until the 2 November at the Palace Theatre and it’s well worth going along to if you ask us.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

It’s not the only impressive show we’ve caught at the Palace recently either.

Grease The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a fizzing celebration of nostalgia
If Giselle or the ballet doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, why not try the biggest show in Manchester right now?

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Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

Theatre

13 Going On 30 The Musical to make world premiere in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson 13 Going On 30 The Musical to make world premiere in Manchester

A cult classic rom com is making its world premiere on the stage in Manchester – that’s right, 13 Going On 30 The Musical is coming to town.

The brand new show will open at the legendary Opera House next autumn, bringing all the magic of the time-travelling film to life.

The musical is based on the 2004 film starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo, and is written by the same duo behind the hit flick.

It follows the story of adorably awkward 13-year-old Jenna Rink, who wishes she could skip the difficult high school years – until her birthday wish comes true.

She magically wakes up to find herself ’30, flirty and thriving’ in a dream life as a magazine editor.

But then comes the journey to work out what, and who, really matters in life.

13 Going On 30 The Musical will have songs by Michael Weiner and Alan Zachary, who wrote for High School Musical: The Musical, and will be directed by Andy Fickman of Heathers and She’s The Man.

Film writers Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who have also written the book of the musical, said: “When we wrote the movie 13 Going on 30, we never dreamt that on the film’s 20th anniversary, we’d get the chance to see a whole new generation fall in love with Razzles and feel thirty, flirty, and thriving.

“It’s been a joy to work with ROYO, Revolution Studios, songwriters Alan Zachary & Michael Weiner, and director Andy Fickman to bring this story to life as a stage musical.

“We were thrilled by the audience’s response to our workshop last year, and now we can’t wait to officially open in Manchester at the legendary Opera House – the launchpad of so many iconic musicals.

“So bring your family, your friends, maybe a date, or just come alone – don’t be shy, we’re all nice. Hope you have as much fun seeing the show as we had making it!”

Tickets go on sale at 1.30pm on Wednesday 13 November HERE.

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Featured image: Supplied

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