There are thousands of free tickets up for grabs to attend ‘The Big Night of Musicals’ in Manchester next year which features a variety of theatre classics.
The curtain has risen once again as returning favourite, The Big Night of Musicals, is coming to AO Arena for a fourth year.
Hosted once again by the one and only Jason Manford, this event contains segments from some of the world’s greatest theatre productions.
Fronted by The National Lottery, this showcase is a thank you to all players whose money has supported more than 20,000 theatre-related projects totalling £1.3 billion.
These funds have been used on many performing arts resources including restoring theatres and enabling hundreds of musical-related projects to commence.
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This isn’t something to be missed out on as the bill is shaping up to be one of the event’s biggest to date featuring stars from the West End and some of the most notorious shows.
Attendees can expect to hear some familiar favourites in the likes of Bat Out of Hell, Here & Now: The Steps Musical, Mean Girls and more.
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There’s even an exclusive preview of the upcoming theatre adaptation of a Disney superhero as snippets from ‘Hercules’ will be performed live.
Guests even have a chance to be in the same room as musical theatre legend Carrie Hope Fletcher as she takes on the role of Calamity Jane in the theatre show of the same name.
Dear Evan Hansen is also on the bill and if you aren’t free for the musical ensemble, it’s running at Palace Theatre Manchester from 18-22 February next year and tickets are available right now.
This event has a super varied lineup too, from throwback pop bangers to Wild West heroines, this night really caters to everyone.
In true musical style, there will be big, bold performances and, of course, lots of excellent surprises all set to make a fantastic night of live music at the AO Arena.
All National Lottery players have the chance to reserve up to four tickets, the only cost is proof they’ve purchased a product from the National Lottery and a £2 booking fee per ticket.
Tickets for the ‘Big Night of Musicals’ on 25 January are already on sale you can try your luck at grabbing some free seats HERE.
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
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?
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 Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: 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).
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.
Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year
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.
Thomas Melia -
18th December 2024 
