An open casting call is now live looking for rising stars to take to the stage in Manchester, for a major new musical.
After receiving lots of critical acclaim in USA, cross-cultural musical Come Fall In Love is making its UK premiere in Manchester, and is looking for budding theatre performers to get involved.
Full name Come Fall in Love : The DDLJ Musical, the production is based off the legendary Bollywood cut ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’, shortened to DDLJ in more recent years, with the film becoming the longest-running title in Indian cinema.
The musical and film adaptation both follow the love story of Raj and Simran, who meet in Europe and also in India where Raj fights and ultimately wins the love of his life from her promised potential husband.
Alex and safari crew at Manchester Opera House. Credit: Supplied& JULIET in all its splendour. Credit: Matthew MurphyThe Full Monty came to Manchester last year. Credit: Supplied
After its official announcement in September, producers are now looking for South Asian dancers, actors and singers to feature in the show throughout its one month run at the Manchester city centre venue.
The creative team behind this all-new, colourful show is certainly one to boast about. From Olivier Award winner Nell Benjamin, behind Mean Girls and Legally Blonde, through to music by Indian talents, Vishal & Shekhar, it’s a true fusion of cultures.
Auditions are starting as soon as this month with the first batch taking place on 13 January with successful candidates travelling to London for rehearsals from 14 April.
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The official ‘Casting Call’ for ‘Come Fall in Love’. Credit: Supplied
Anyone considering applying for this East-meets West musical comedy can do so via their official website HERE – but you only have until 7 January to apply.
If you love the sound of this stage production but your dancing abilities might not be up to scratch, you can enjoy from the comfort of your own theatre seat with tickets available HERE.
The Karate Kid – The Musical, inspired by the iconic 80s film, is coming to Manchester
Daisy Jackson
Iconic 80s film The Karate Kid has now been reimagined as a stage musical – and it’s coming to Manchester next spring.
The Karate Kid – The Musical will be heading out on its UK premiere tour in 2026, including a run of dates at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
The musical follows the same themes as the original, legendary 1984 film, a coming-of-age story that follows the relationship and teachings between Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi.
It’s not just about karate, it’s about resilience, mentorship, and the quiet strength that bridges generations, and on the stage you can expect movement, music, and energetic storytelling too.
The original blockbuster starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita and has gone down in history as one of cinema’s greatest films, earning Morita an Academy Award nomination.
It’s become a major global franchise, including three movie sequels, a remake with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, and a Netflix series (Cobra Kai).
The Karate Kid – The Musical made its world premiere in 2022, selling out theatres and earning rave reviews.
Those iconic cinematic moments are brought to life on the stage by a Tony Award-winning design team.
The Karate Kid – The Musical is heading on a major UK tour before it hits the West End and Broadway.
It’s written by Robert Mark Kamen, screenwriter of the original 1984 movie, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini.
Kamen says: “William Goldman said about Hollywood “No one knows anything.” He was right.
“Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for THE KARATE KID, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago.”
The Karate Kid – The Musical is at the Palace Theatre from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 23 May 2026, with tickets on sale now HERE.
Legendary musical CATS is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year
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, TheJellicle 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.
“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.
Thomas Melia -
6th January 2025 
