Theatre

Massive new musical featuring songs by Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley to have world premiere in Manchester

I Should Be So Lucky will open here in our city this winter.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 22nd March 2023

Manchester will host the world premiere of a massive new musical this autumn, when the official Stock Aitken Waterman musical debuts here.

I Should Be So Lucky will be a brand new show that will celebrate the legendary production trio, who were behind some of the biggest hits of the 1980s.

Stock Aitken Waterman worked with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley, Bananarama and Jason Donovan, and more than 30 songs from pop royalty icons will feature in the new theatre show.

You can expect to be dancing in your seat at the Manchester Opera House to songs including I Should Be So Lucky, Never Gonna Give You Up, and Love In The First Degree.

The original musical will follow young couple Ella and Nathan as they take the biggest step of their lives – marriage – but it doesn’t all go to plan.

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Promotional posters for the new production say ‘the wedding is OFF, but the honeymoon is ON!’.

Rick Astley
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
I Should Be So Lucky. Credit: Supplied

I Should Be So Lucky has been written and directed by Debbie Isitt and choreographed by Jason Gilkison, and will open at the Manchester Opera House on 1 November.

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It will then head to play the Christmas season at Leeds Grand Theatre & Opera House from 12 – 30 December 2023 as part of a UK tour, the dates of which will be announced soon.

Mike Stock said: “We have been approached many times over the years to authorise a musical using the songs from the Stock Aitken Waterman catalogue and have always resisted, until now! What Debbie, Jason and the team behind the show have created is a truly original and shamelessly enjoyable rollercoaster ride through our hits.”

Debbie Isitt said: “The music of Stock Aitken Waterman has been the soundtrack to both my life and the lives of all my friends. Their songs range from wonderful ballads to real pop anthems to dance floor classics, which are all perfect for an original musical.”

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I Should Be So Lucky will be at the Manchester Opera House between 1 and 25 November. You can book tickets now here.

Featured image: Supplied

Theatre

The Rocky Horror Show at the Palace Theatre, Manchester – a night of unapologetic fun

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

The cult classic musical, The Rocky Horror Show, began its two week run in Manchester last night.

If you’re looking for an understated, subtle musical that’ll have you elegantly tapping your foot to the beat – then this is not the show for you.

The Rocky Horror show is wonderfully weird, wildly extravagant and about as over the top as you can get. It’s about as camp as Christmas, and it’s a night out that you won’t forget.

For someone who is completely new to the Rocky Horror world, the experience of attending the show can be quite daunting as you join the queues of fishnet-wearing fans to scan your ticket.

Image: Supplied

But as soon as you’re seated and the first round of hecklers get started as soon as the curtain flies up, the anxiety melts away.

This is a show where you’re encouraged to sing and dance along, which we all did without hesitation.

The atmosphere in the Palace Theatre was nothing short of electric, from start to finish there were roars of laughter erupting from every tier of the auditorium and why? Well, there’s a couple of reasons.

Image: Supplied

Headlining the cast was Australian super star Jason Donovan starring as the iconic Dr. Frank N.Furter, and his performance was well and truly mesmerising.

Not only did Jason play the sassy sweet transvestite side of the role so perfectly, strutting across the stage with a corset and feather boa, but there were also moments of stillness that felt rather moving.

All in all, a captivating performance which underlines Donovan’s star studded status in the musical theatre universe.

Images: Supplied

Throughout the entire cast there wasn’t a weak link, Connor Carson and Lauren Chia are suitably sexy and strong as Brad and Janet.

Job Greuter delivers a freakishly brilliant Riff Raff whilst Jackie Clune gives a masterclass in comic timing as the omnipotent Narrator.

A standout moment was of course the Time Warp singalong, where the whole cast led us in the iconic dance as we shimmied back and forth in the stalls.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fantastic night out of frivolity and fun then the Rocky Horror Show is for you and we’re looking forward to seeing theatre-goers clad in gold hot pants and fishnet ties strutting around Manchester over the next two weeks.

The Rocky Horror show is at the Palace Theatre until Saturday 31 May and you can get your tickets here.

Read more: An outdoor cinema is screening a Wicked sing-a-long this autumn

Featured image – Press image

Theatre

An outdoor cinema is screening a Wicked sing-a-long this autumn

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

There’s an outdoor cinema screening a sing-along version of the global phenomenon Wicked later this year near just outside of Greater Manchester.

Arley Hall, in Cheshire, is hosting a very special screening of one of the biggest films of 2024, Wicked, where guests will be allowed to sing along during the film.

This one-off event will come as a relief to some fans of the movie-musical, as back when it was released, one attending was encouraged not to sing along as it may disrupt the film itself.

With a musical stacked with hits like ‘Popular’, ‘Dancing Through Life’ and obviously the huge number that is ‘Defying Gravity’, how could you not take a moment to test out the vocal cords?

Wicked screening Arley Hall
Maybe we’ll see some mini Elphabas and Glindas showing up at the Wicked sing-a-long, Arley Hall.
arley hall events
Sit back, relax, and defy some gravity.

Now, Arley Hall has teamed up with events and entertainment company Adventure Cinema for an outdoor experience that promises to be a fantastic, family-friendly day out watching Elphaba and Glinda on the big screen.

There are various ticket options available for this Wicked sing-along showing, which are all priced under a reasonable £30 range.

The standard ticket, which requires you to bring your own camping chair or blanket, is only £17.37, while the premium ticket (including a premium deck chair and prime position) costs £25.21.

Throughout the weekend, Adventure Cinema are making themselves comfy in Arley Hall‘s grounds, as they are set to play some huge movie titles and host even more wonderful events.

For instance, there will be an ‘Outdoor Cinema ExtrABBAganza’ courtesy of Mamma Mia!, a double-whammy thanks to ‘The Gruffalo’ and ‘The Stick Man’ playing back to back as well as ‘Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration’ and ‘Pretty Woman’ too.

ABBA event at Arley Hall
There’s an ExtrABBAganza coming to Arley Hall the same weekend.
arley hall screenings
Just you, your blanket and a crowd of Wicked fans ready to sing their hearts out.

While we wait eagerly for the second part of the Wicked movie-musical adaptation, why not let yourself loose and see if you can out-sing the witches of Oz – Think I’ll leave the singing to Cynthia and Ariana.

The movie-musical became one of the backbones of pop culture in 2024, generating various quoted phrases and viral moments, including the unforgettable ‘Holding Space’ meme alongside many others.

Anyone looking to attend the Wicked sing-along at Arley Hall on Friday, 19 September from 6pm to 10:15pm can find all ticket prices and more information HERE.

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Featured Images – DreamVisions86 (Deviant Art)/Jeff Buck (via Geograph)

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