Theatre

Jesus Christ Superstar kicks off massive UK musical tour in Manchester

(Contains affiliate links)

Sophey Donohue Sophey Donohue - 14th September 2023

Celebrated musical Jesus Christ Superstar is finally back out on the road – and its first port of call is right here in Manchester. 

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit production opened at the Palace Theatre earlier this week, before heading out on a UK tour that will run all the way to August 2024. 

In the role of Herod is legendary comedian Julian Clary, whose every word drips with theatrical sarcasm. 

Dressed in shimmering robes and a tonne of make-up, it’s like he was born for this role. 

But the star of the show, as it should be, is Jesus Christ, played by Ian McIntosh. 

ADVERTISEMENT

He completely dominates the stage even when he’s bumping elbows with a dozen other people, in a musical that’s more rock concert than nativity play. 

Jesus Christ Superstar is famed worldwide for its 1970s rock score, with its original production in London running for more than eight years – at the time, the longest-running musical in West End history. 

ADVERTISEMENT
Ian McKintosh in Jesus Christ Superstar as it debuts its tour in Manchester
Credit: Paul Coltas

Such was its success that it was even turned into an ITV reality show competition to find the next Jesus, with Ben Forster cast for an arena tour of the show. 

Jesus Christ Superstar is produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live and Work Light Productions, featuring lyrics and music by Emmy, GRAMMY, Oscar and Tony winners Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The musical follows the final weeks of Jesus’s life, seen through the eyes of Jesus. 

ADVERTISEMENT

And we all know how that ends (not well). 

Julian Clarey in Jesus Christ Superstar as it debuts its tour in Manchester
Credit: Paul Coltas
Shem Omari James as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar as it debuts its tour in Manchester. Credit: Paul Coltas
Credit: Paul Coltas
The Jesus Christ Superstar Tour opened in Manchester this week.

But while the overall plot line is pretty dark (obviously – it’s about the death of Jesus), it’s lightened and brightened with clever details. 

There’s the way they throw glitter across his back instead of lashing him with whips, the sparklingly sharp performance from Julian Clary, and that sing-along soundtrack. 

Jesus Christ Superstar is as wonderful today as it’s always been. 

You can catch it at the Palace Theatre in Manchester until 23 September 2023. Tickets for Jesus Christ Superstar are on sale now here.

Read more

Featured image: Paul Coltas

Theatre

A brand-new immersive ‘walking theatre’ and XR experience has landed in Greater Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Walking theatre XR experience Trafford Palazzo

We hear the word immersive thrown around a lot these days, but if the notion of walking through some of your favourite fantasy and sci-fi worlds in a state-of-the-art XR tour doesn’t fit the definition, we don’t know what does.

Get ready to pull on a headset and be dropped into a different universe, Mancs.

This is Immersia XR: an industry-leading immersive entertainment and XR (extended reality) experience has just been unveiled right here in Greater Manchester.

Anyone for a ride on a magic carpet?

Credit: The Manc Group
Credit: Immersia XR (supplied)

Immersia XR specialises in what they call ‘Walking XR Theatre – a new term for a new kind of experience’, and boasts big plaudits across the board, with an average Google rating of 4.8 from dozens of reviews already.

Having just made its Manchester debut to the public at Trafford Palazzo (located right next to 0161’s famous Trafford Centre) this summer, the new addition brings cutting-edge technology blended with iconic family-favourite tales in an “unforgettable walk-through format.”

A lucky few have been treated to our first time, including us here at The Manc, and you’ll have to take our word for it when we tell you it’s a truly incredible experience.

It’s the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and although there are other similar VR and AR offerings around the region, you won’t find anything quite like ‘walking theatre’ and this free-roam experience.

Credit: Supplied

As you can see above, there are a number of experiences to be enjoyed right from the off, including two modes inspired by childhood classics, Alice in Wonderland and Tales of Aladdin.

Ever fancied trying your hand as an astronaut and walking on the surface of the moon as you look back at the Earth below? Course you have! No training involved in this one, either.

Take that, Katy Perry, you can keep your short-lived Blue Origin nonsense to yourself.

Immersia XR’s ambition doesn’t stop there, though, as they are also preparing to introduce the exciting new ‘Terracotta Army’ experience in the near future.

Here’s a glimpse at how it looks inside the goggles:

Already open to the public and running up until Sunday, 6 July 2025, Immersia XR is fun for all ages, with kid-friendly zones and accessible narratives built into the experience.

Best of all, there are actually very few bells and whistles; no screens, no controllers – it’s just you walking through the story of your choice.

Immersia XR’s founder, Ian Xiang, said: “We’re not just launching a new attraction—we’re pioneering the future of storytelling. Walking XR Theatre is where cinema, theatre, and technology converge to create magic. You don’t just watch the story—you walk through it.”

Tickets are on sale now, with adult prices starting from only £17, children (ages 3–15) from just £12, and family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids) from £54. Great value for money.

Concession tickets are also available for students and over-65s, priced from £16, and group bookings of 10 or more receive 10% off. You can even get 20% off all ticket types with the early bird code: PRESS20. You can grab yours HERE.

Credit: Supplied/The Manc Group

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

Theatre

Mary Poppins at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a spoonful of magic

Dec Kelly Dec Kelly

The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre like a gust of wind from the East – bold, magical, and utterly charming.

This beloved musical, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical, continues to soar with a reinvigorated staging that captures both the heart of the original and the spectacle expected by modern audiences.

From the moment the overture begins, there’s a tangible sense of excitement.

The production is visually rich, transforming Edwardian London into a pop-up storybook come to life.

The set changes glide seamlessly, and the use of projections and stagecraft delivers the kind of magic that keeps children wide-eyed and adults grinning like them.

Mary’s iconic flight is breathtaking and still manages to feel like the first time you saw it.

Stefanie Jones returns to the role of Mary Poppins with an effortless elegance. Her portrayal is delightfully crisp, with just the right balance of mystery and warmth. She sings with clarity and control, and her comedic timing keeps the show light and pacey. She is, quite literally, the glue that holds the show together – and she does it with a wink and a twirl of her umbrella.

As Bert, Jack Chambers brings a buoyant energy that never fades. His charm is infectious, especially during “Step in Time”, a tap number that turns the theatre into a playground. Whether he’s defying gravity on rooftops or leading a chorus of chimney sweeps, Chambers is a joy to watch – charismatic, agile, and sincere.

The score, with classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and “Feed the Birds”, remains timeless.

The orchestra handles the blend of whimsy and emotion with skill, and the choreography is as inventive as ever – especially in ensemble numbers that explode with colour and movement.

The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins doesn’t just revisit a classic – it refreshes it. While the story may be light on plot and character depth, the production more than makes up for it with theatrical magic and dazzling stagecraft.

It’s a visual and musical feast that reminds us why this timeless tale continues to soar. Mary Poppins is, indeed, practically perfect in every way.

You can grab tickets for Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre in Manchester HERE.

Read more: Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester

Featured image:

More Theatre

Sunny Afternoon

Affiliate

Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester

Art & Culture

A queer comedy night is coming to Manchester next month

Art & Culture

Cruel Intentions at the Palace Theatre Manchester – a nostalgia-fuelled revamp of a cult classic

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches