Theatre

Hit musical The King and I is returning to Manchester for another theatre run

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 15th July 2022

Record-breaking musical The King and I is heading back to Manchester next year on a major UK theatre tour.

The majestic production is set in 1860s Bangkok, and follows the relationship between the King of Siam and a British schoolteacher, Anna Leonowens.

Anna is employed in the Thai capital to teach the King’s many children – as well as his wives.

The romantic musical theatre plays out on stage with more than 50 world-class performers and a full-scale orchestra.

A previous cast on The King & I – the musical is heading to Manchester. Credit: Johan Persson

Songs within The King and I include Whistle a Happy Tune, Getting to Know You and Shall We Dance.

The production is heading back out on tour, following a record-breaking runs on Broadway and at the London Palladium, as well as its previous UK and international tour.

The multi-award winning musical will be back at the Palace Theatre in 2023.

It will again be directed by Tony Award-winning Bartlett Sher but with a brand new cast.

A previous cast on The King & I – the musical is heading to Manchester. Credit: Johan Persson

Producer Howard Panter says: “We are delighted to take this majestic multi award-winning production of THE KING AND I on a major UK and international tour in 2023.

“The London Palladium season saw critical plaudits, Box Office records and standing ovations at every show – we were overwhelmed with the rapturous response.

Read more: A musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is coming to Manchester next summer

“Coupled with the reaction to the Global cinema screenings of the film version – which was the biggest theatre event in cinemas of the year and number one at the Box Office.

“This really is musical theatre at its very best, so we are thrilled that we can now share this wondrous production with theatre lovers up and down the country next year.”

The King and I will be at the Palace Theatre in Manchester from 8 May, 2023. You can buy tickets for the theatre here.

Featured image: Johan Persson

Theatre

Smash-hit musical Mean Girls to open in Manchester at start of its first UK tour

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Mean Girls The Musical

One of the most popular new musicals of the last decade is set to head out on its first-ever UK tour early next year.

And it’ll be kicking things off here in Manchester.

Based on the iconic 2004 movie of the same name, which is known and loved right across the globe, Mean Girls The Musical debuted at to huge success at the National Theatre in Washington D.C in 2017, before transferring to Broadway in April 2018, again to ecstatic responses where it played to sold-out theatres most nights.

The show then went on a hugely-successful US tour in 2019 and recently completed a second US tour.

Continuing on its run, the production then opened in the West End in 2024, where it was seen by more than 330,000 people over its run and recently took home the coveted ‘Best New Musical’ award at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.

Mean Girls The Musical
Mean Girls The Musical
Mean Girls The Musical is opening its first-ever UK tour in Manchester next year / Credit: Brinkhoff Mögenburg

Not only that, but in 2024, you may remember that the new musical twist on the fan-favourite from the comedic mind of Tina Fey was released as a new feature film with sensational musical performances.

But for the first time ever, the rest of the UK is about to get a slice of the action.

Mean Girls The Musical will be heading out on tour early next year, and it’s us lucky musical lovers of Manchester that’ll get to see it before anyone else, as it’s landing on the legendary Manchester Opera House stage in February 2026.

Unfamiliar with the plot of Mean Girls The Musical? Just like the film, the musical follows Regina, Gretchen, and Karen, otherwise known as ‘The Plastics’ of North Shore High, as they meet homeschooled new girl, Cady Heron, as finds out that high school is a whole new level of savage.

Mean Girls The Musical
Tickets go on sale this week / Credit: Brinkhoff Mögenburg

When Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung.

Expect iconic characters, razor-sharp wit, and killer songs.

Mean Girls The Musical has a book by Tina Fey, music and vocal arrangements by Jeff Richmond, lyrics, and direction and choreography by Casey Nicholaw and Nell Benjamin, among many other big names of the theatre world involved.

Read more:

The tour will open at Manchester Opera House on 23 February 2026, before touring to venues across the UK and Ireland until the end of January 2027.

Tickets will go on general sale tomorrow (Thursday 3 July) at 10am here.

Featured Image – Brinkhoff Mögenburg

Theatre

Cult classic 13 Going On 30 to make its musical debut in Manchester

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Cult classic 13 Going On 30 to make its musical debut in Manchester

Cult classic rom com 13 Going On 30 is preparing for its musical world premiere – and it’s happening right here in Manchester.

The brand-new musical is based on the hit 2004 film of the same name, starring Jennifer Garner and Mark Ruffalo. 

As in the film, 13 Going On 30 The Musical will follow awkward teen Jenna Rink who makes a birthday wish to skip those difficult high school years. 

To her surprise – her wish comes true. 

Jenna wakes up to find herself ‘30, flirty and thriving’ in a dream role as a magazine editor, but still trying to work out what, and who really matters in life. 

The brand new musical will open at the legendary Opera House this September, bringing all the magic of the time-travelling film to life.

For the stage version, Lucie Jones (who you might recognise from X Factor) will star as Jenna, alongside David Hunter (Matt), Grace Mouat (Lucy), Caleb Roberts (Richard), Andrew Berlin (Kyle), and Dominic Andersen (Alex).

Cult classic 13 Going On 30 to make its musical debut in Manchester
Cult classic 13 Going On 30 to make its musical debut in Manchester

The musical is also written by the same duo behind the hit flick.

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, Wendy Federman and Phil Kenny, 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!”

13 Going On 30 The Musical will be at the Opera House in Manchester between 21 September and 12 October 2025.

Tickets are on sale now HERE.

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

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