I think growing up is overrated. I’m just going to start off by saying that, okay? Right… now onto the actual review.
Matilda The Musical has finally arrived in Manchester, and it’s every bit as imaginative as the title character herself.
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash-hit musical production – which is, of course, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name – has been seen by more than 12 million people in over 100 cities around the world since it first debuted back in 2010, and it continues to play to packed houses in London’s West End and on Broadway each week… but now, it’s Manchester’s turn.
The critically-acclaimed musical is currently out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and has just arrived for a special four-week run here at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.
Touring to celebrate its 15-year anniversary, the multi-award winning musical about a determined young heroine with a vivid imagination is written by Dennis Kelly, and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin.
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Matilda The Musical is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Despite being a fan of musical theatre, and even of the production’s popular soundtrack prior, Matilda The Musical was one I was yet to experience live on stage before last night.
Understandably because of this, it was one I was therefore really anticipating watching – and 15 years on, it’s truly not hard to see why it’s so beloved by so many.
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Manchester audiences who gathered inside the storied walls of the Palace Theatre on opening night last night (26 March) were enchanted from the moment the colourful, eclectic stage lit up and the sets came to life, immersing you in the world right from the get-go.
It’s a production every bit as imaginative as the main character herself / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Now, it would be fair to say that so much could go wrong in this production, given how many moving parts are involved in the stage design and choreography, but it’s a complete credit to every single member of the company that not once, as an audience member, did you ever feel anything would go wrong – that’s how technically impressive the staging was.
Those technical elements barely scratch the surface of just how much this show grabs you by the heart and makes you cling onto the magic of childlike imagination, though. This is where it really shines.
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Through well-known songs like ‘Naughty’, ‘Revolting Children’, ‘When I Grow Up’, and ‘Quiet’, you are left feeling in awe of the incredibly (almost unbelievably, to be honest) talented ensemble cast of young performers on stage before you.
Led last night by Mollie Hutton as Matilda, who brought her own charm and cheekiness to the iconic role, each youngster really is living proof that ‘even if you’re little, you can do a lot’.
It’s now on stage in Manchester up until Saturday 25 April / Credit: The Manc Group
Tessa Kalder as Miss Honey, Richard Hurst as Miss Trunchbull, and Esther Niles as Mrs Phelps were all stand-out performances too, as were Adam Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill as Matilda’s parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood.
It’s a show full of humour, eccentric characters, and captivating sets… and it’s well worth your time, whether a theatre-lover or not.
The beaming smiles from the cast at the end during the curtain call say it all.
Matilda The Musical is now playing at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 25 April 2026, and you can get last-minute tickets online here.
Featured Image – Publicity Picture (Supplied)
Theatre
Cult-classic musical Hairspray to kick off UK tour in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
An undeniable cult-classic of amusical is set to kick off its next UK tour right here in Manchester next year.
That’s right, you can’t stop the beat… or Hairspray The Musical from heading back to our city.
There’s no denying that Hairspray is known and loved by millions worldwide since it first opened on Broadway all the way back in 2002, and has had audiences tapping their feet on the West End and in countless other cities and countries across the globe ever since.
The eight Tony Award wins and the record-breaking 11 Olivier Award nominations prove that all too well, as does the smash-hit success of the 2007 film adaptation too.
Cult-classic musical Hairspray will kick off its UK tour in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
After a triumphant return to the stage in 2024, it’s now been announced that Hairspray The Musical is heading out on a major national tour of the UK and Ireland once again in 2027 – with theatre lovers able to get their hands on tickets when they go on sale today (6 July).
Oh, and what better way to kick things off than right here in Manchester?
In case you’re unfamiliar, the timeless story of Hairspray centres around heroine Tracy Turnblad, who has “big hair, a big heart, and big dreams” and wants to dance her way onto national TV, and into the heart of teen idol Link Larkin.
When Tracy becomes a local star, she is able to use her newfound fame to fight for liberation, tolerance, and interracial unity in Baltimore.
But the real question is, can she win equality – and Link’s heart -without denting her ’do?
An all-time favourite.
Audiences in Manchester will be the first to hear some of musical theatre’s most well-known songs, including ‘Welcome To The 60s’, ‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’, and ‘Good Morning Baltimore’, before it heads out to other major cities across the country.
Liverpool, Bradford, York, and Sunderland are just a few of the fellow northern cities where the tour will be stopping off at in 2027.
The show’s original production team of Mark Goucher, Matthew Gale, and Laurence Myers will return, alongside Brenda Edwards and Paul Kerryson as directors.
Meanwhile, choreography will come from Olivier Award winner Drew McOnie, and music is provided by the Academy Award, Tony, and Emmy-winning duo Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.
The all-singing, all-dancing show is taking to the Palace Theatre stage / Credit: Pamela Raith
Hairspray The Musical will take to the stage at Manchester’s Palace Theatre from 2 – 19 July 2027.
Tickets are going on general sale today at 10am, and although prices haven’t been revealed yet, it’s expected they’ll be available in a range of prices so it’s affordable for everyone looking to make the most of the all-singing-all-dancing experience.
Beloved sitcom Dinnerladies to return after 25 years with new stage show in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved sitcoms of all time is set to return after 25 years, but this time it’s coming to the stage in Manchester.
More than a quarter of a century after it was first screened on BBC One, a brand-new stage adaptation of Dinnerladies is planned for 2027, and it’ll feature a storyline inspired by the episodes and characters from the iconic original TV sitcom.
Making its premiere at Manchester Opera House in January, the new show is the first piece of the late Victoria Wood’s work to be commissioned by her Estate.
Adapted by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne, and directed by double Olivier-award winner Sean Foley, after debuting here Manchester, the production will then tour major theatres across the UK until August – with star Les Dennis as maintenance man Stan, and further casting to be announced soon.
Originally created, written by, and starring Bury comedy legend Victoria Wood, Dinnerladies ran for two acclaimed series and 16 episodes between 1998 and 2000, winning widespread critical plaudits and a devoted audience thanks to its warmth, wit, and brilliantly observed characters.
Dinnerladies is returning after 25 years with a new stage show in Manchester / Credit: BBC
Set in the canteen of fictional Manchester factory, HWD Components, the show followed the lives, friendships, and workplace dramas of the staff and regulars who gathered there every day.
Now, audiences will be reunited with the dinnerladies once again, as all the much-loved characters that made the show such a huge British comedy classic will feature in the play – including Bren, Tony, Dolly, Anita, Jean, Twinkle, and Philippa.
No matter whether you’re revisiting an old favourite or discovering it for the first time, the new Dinnerladies show is set to serve up a hilarious night out packed with heart, nostalgia, and plenty of surprises.
Dinnerladies will take to the stage at Manchester Opera House on 29 January 2027 and run right through to 6 February 2027 – with tickets going on sale this Friday (3 July).
Emily Sergeant -
27th March 2026 
