If you’re ready for some absolute classic pop songs rolled into a theatre show about a girl not needing a man in her life – this is it.
& Juliet is much like a sequel to the Shakespeare classic Romeo & Juliet, but imagines what would have happened if Juliet didn’t die at the end.
It’s all about a life after Romeo – soundtracked by non-stop pop anthems.
After finding out that her star-crossed lover actually dated lots of people, and wasn’t only in love with Juliet (all too relevant to real life I think), she decides to escape with her friends to France and live her best life.
Seeing Juliet’s second chance at love, the story between William Shakespeare and his wife, and also a prince who was being forced to find a princess (but actually was falling in love with Maye, a non-binary character also finding out about themselves), the modern-day musical is bringing love stories bang up to date.
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And the playlist that carries the & Juliet story along throughout its run in Manchester includes hits like Hit Me Baby One More Time, I Want It That Way by Backstreet boys, Roar by Katy Perry, and so many more.
One thing I absolutely cannot skip out on here is how INCREDIBLE the voices of the entire cast are, with Matt Cardle playing Shakespeare, Gerardine Sacdalan playing Juliet, Lara Denning as Anne Shakespeare and Sandra Marvin as Angelique. They really blew it out the park, and had everyone on their feet.
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Sandra Marvin as Angelique & Ranj Singh as LanceMatt Cardle as ShakespeareMatt Cardle as ShakespeareGerardine Sacdalan as Juliet (left) and the cast in & Juliet& Juliet is at the Manchester Opera House this July. Credit: Matt Crockett
A mix of humour and romance, you’ll be belly laughing one minute, then filling up with tears and dancing the next.
Especially with TV doctor Ranj Singh shining in the comedic role of the French King – he was brilliant, and hilarious.
Created by the same writers as Schitts Creek (this sold it to me before I’d even see the show) The producer, Tim Headington, even came on at the end as we went on the first night in Manchester to say: “We wanted to create something where you can escape the world for just two hours, and then get up and dance at the end.” And that is absolutely what they’ve done.
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I’ve seen a lot of theatre shows now, and this has to absolutely be up there with one of my favourites.
& Juliet is on at the Manchester Opera House until 20 July – so make sure to grab your tickets before it’s too late 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.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
Theatre
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.
Amy Williams -
16th July 2024 
