Theatre

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds is coming to Manchester – with a Liam Neeson hologram

The virtual Neeson takes the role of The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 5th December 2023

Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds will be coming to Manchester as part of a monumental new arena tour.

The much-loved musical spectacular, based on the dark Victorian tale by H. G. Wells, will feature a 3D hologram of Liam Neeson.

The virtual Neeson takes the role of The Journalist, who recounts his story of survival from the Martian invasion of 1898.

The Spirit of Man Tour will also see the stage filled with a 35-foot fire-breathing Fighting Machine, alongside the eight-piece Black Smoke Band and 36-piece ULLAdubULLA Strings.

The rest of the new cast and further details will be announced in the coming months.

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The War Of The Worlds will be at the new Co-op Live arena in 2025, as part of the 17-date, 19-show tour of the UK and Ireland.

Its arrival in Manchester will coincide with the 130th anniversary of the world-famous production.

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And after 19 years of live touring, the enormous musical experience has grown to mind-blowing proportions.

It was already considered a cutting-edge production in 2006 with six trucks filled to the brim – these days, it will be up to 12 trucks to bring the phenomenal special effects to life.

Tickets for The War of the Worlds in Manchester will go on sale at 10am on Friday 8 December via myticket.co.uk/artists/jeff-wayne-s-the-war-of-the-worlds.

Jeff Wayne’s The War of the Worlds tour dates

  • Fri 28 March Hull Connexin Live
  • Sun 30March 3Arena Dublin, Ireland
  • Tue 1 April Aberdeen P&J Live
  • Wed 02 April Glasgow OVO Hydro
  • Thu 03 April Leeds First Direct Arena
  • Sat 05 April Newcastle Utilita Arena
  • Sun 06 April Manchester Co-op Live
  • Tue 08 April Sheffield Utilita Arena
  • Wed 09 April Liverpook M&S Bank Arena
  • Thu 10 April Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
  • Sat 12 April Brighton Centre – matinee & evening
  • Sun 13 April Bournemouth Int Centre
  • Mon 14 April Bournemouth Int Centre
  • Wed 16 April Cardiff Utilitia Arena
  • Thu 17 April Cardiff Utilita Arena
  • Fri 18 April Birmingham Resorts World Arena
  • Sun 20 April London The O2 – matinee & evening

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Theatre

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots is heading out on a tour of the UK next year, and the talented cast will be stopping off here in Manchester.

The Broadway and West End phenomenon, which is based on a true story and is an adaptation of a 2005 film of the same name, has become known and loved by musical theatre fans all across the globe since its stage debut back in 2012, and has scooped up several Tonys, Olivier Awards, and GRAMMYs along the way.

And now, it’s set for a revival starring Strictly Come Dancing‘s Johannes Radebe, and the production will be touring the UK and Ireland from January 2025.

Kinky Boots The Musical features a score by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey Fierstein, and this new production will be directed by Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster – who has famously helmed productions of The Wizard of Oz and Billy Elliot, to name a few – as well as starring the fan-favourite Strictly pro as Lola, alongside and rising star Dan Partridge as Charlie Price.

Smash-hit musical Kinky Boots starring Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is coming to Manchester / Credit: Ollies Rosser (via Supplied)

In case you’re unfamiliar with the Kinky Boots story, here’s brief rundown.

After inheriting his family’s failing shoe factory and with a relationship on the rocks, life is proving to be very challenging for Charlie Price, but that is until he meets Lola – a drag queen whose “sparkle and unsteady heels” might just hold the answer to saving the struggling business.

The 2025 revival production is already being billed as “guaranteed to raise you up” and “celebrate everybody’s individuality” when it arrives here in Manchester next February.

“Kinky Boots is one of the things I’m proudest of in my career,” commented Cyndi Lauper, on the musicals return to the road across the UK.

“I’m so excited that audiences will get to see it again, in a new production, as it’s like a happy pill, and we could all use some of that right now, so I can’t think of a better time or place to relaunch this special show in its place of origin.”

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Kinky Boots The Musical will be taking to the iconic Manchester Palace Theatre stage from 4-8 February 2025, and tickets are set general

You can grab your tickets when they go on sale here.

Featured Image – Ollie Rosser (via Supplied)

Theatre

Award-winning classic musical Mary Poppins is returning to Manchester next year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

One of the best-loved musicals of all time is set to return to the stage in Manchester on its UK tour next year.

Two decades after the world premiere in Bristol, and subsequent record-breaking run of productions around the world ever since, it’s now been announced that Mary Poppins is set to fly back to Manchester next April.

Direct from the West End and stopping off in our city as part of a UK-wide tour, the classic multi award-winning musical will be landing on stage at the iconic Palace Theatre from 9 April – 17 May 2025.

Australian stars, Stefanie Jones and Jack Chambers, are both set to reprise their roles as Mary Poppins and Bert in the 2024/25 UK and Ireland tour, after having both received critical acclaim and nightly standing ovations for their performances in the recent Australian production.

This award-winning West End musical comes from the legendary theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh, and the Disney Theatrical Group.

In case you’re somehow unfamiliar with Mary Poppins, this production is based on the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney film, and tells the beloved story of the world’s favourite nanny arriving on Cherry Tree Lane.

The show is set to be “more magical than ever before”, and will feature dazzling choreography, incredible effects, and all the unforgettable songs we know and love.

Award-winning classic musical Mary Poppins is returning to Manchester next year / Credit: Daniel Boud (via Supplied)

The production has original music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, with new songs and additional music and lyrics also featuring too.

The book comes from Julian Fellowes, dance and vocal arrangements are by George Stiles, co-choreography is by Matthew Bourne and Stephen Mear, sound design is by Paul Gatehouse, lighting is by Hugh Vanstone, and the set and costume designs are by Bob Crowley.

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Mary Poppins will be live at the Palace Theatre Manchester from 9 April – 17 May 2025, and tickets are set to go on general sale next Monday (18 March) at 10am.

Grab tickets when they go on sale here.

Featured Image – Daniel Boud (via Supplied)

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