Theatre

Paddy McGuinness announces first UK tour in EIGHT years, including Salford show

He's heading to The Lowry as one of 40 shows.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 4th December 2023

Paddy McGuinness has just announced a major UK tour for the first time since 2016.

The much-loved Bolton comic and TV presenter has included a gig at The Lowry in Salford on the massive run of dates.

The Paddy McGuinness Nearly There tour will kick off next October and run all the way in to 2025.

He’s said that the stand-up show will touch on topics including cancel culture, clickbait and fake news.

The 50-year-old star is known for his roles in shows including Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy, and The Keith and Paddy Picture Show, as well as for presenting primetime TV shows such as Take Me Out and BBC’s Top Gear.

ADVERTISEMENT

This newly-announced tour is the first he’s undertaken since 2016, and will start in Blackburn.

Paddy McGuinness will then perform 40 dates across the UK, including a Salford gig at The Lowry, as well as shows in cities including Leeds, Sheffield, Halifax and Newcastle.

ADVERTISEMENT

Paddy said: “It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, click bait and fake news!”

Paddy McGuinness will perform at The Lowry, Salford on Friday 28 March 2025.

Tickets go on sale Friday 8 December at 10am via See Tickets.

Paddy McGuinness Nearly There UK tour dates

  • Thu 24 Oct 2024 Blackburn King Georges
  • Fri 25 Oct 2024 Sunderland Empire
  • Sat 26 Oct 2024 Hull Connexin Live
  • Thu 31 Oct 2024 Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre
  • Fri 01 Nov 2024 Leicester De Montfort Hall
  • Sun 03 Nov 2024 Milton Keynes Theatre
  • Thu 07 Nov 2024 Middlesbrough Town Hall
  • Fri 08 Nov 2024 Dunfermline Alhambra
  • Sat 09 Nov 2024 Dundee Caird Hall
  • Sun 10 Nov 2024 Aberdeen Music Hall
  • Thu 14 Nov 2024 Leeds Grand Theatre
  • Fri 15 Nov 2024 Leeds Grand Theatre
  • Sat 16 Nov 2024 Glasgow SEC Armadillo
  • Sun 17 Nov 2024 Edinburgh Usher Hall
  • Fri 22 Nov 2024 Bradford St Georges Hall
  • Sat 23 Nov 2024 Stoke-On-Trent Regent Theatre
  • Sun 24 Nov 2024 Oxford New Theatre
  • Thu 28 Nov 2024 Halifax Victoria Theatre
  • Fri 29 Nov 2024 Sheffield City Hall
  • Sat 30 Nov 2024 Newcastle O2 City Hall
  • Sun 01 Dec 2024 Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
  • Thu 13 Feb 2025 Truro Hall for Cornwall
  • Fri 14 Feb 2025 Swansea Arena
  • Sat 15 Feb 2025 Cardiff New Theatre
  • Thu 20 Feb 2025 Ipswich Regent
  • Fri 21 Feb 2025 Southend Cliffs Pavilion
  • Sun 23 Feb 2025 Dartford Orchard Theatre
  • Fri 28 Feb 2025 Birmingham Alexandra Theatre
  • Sat 01 Mar 2025 Wolverhampton The Civic at The Halls
  • Sun 02 Mar 2025 Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
  • Thu 06 Mar 2025 Eastbourne Congress Theatre
  • Sat 08 Mar 2025 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre
  • Sun 09 Mar 2025 Torquay Princess Theatre
  • Thu 13 Mar 2025 Bath Forum
  • Fri 14 Mar 2025 London Palladium
  • Thu 20 Mar 2025 York Barbican
  • Fri 21 Mar 2025 Scunthorpe Baths Hall
  • Sun 23 Mar 2025 Stockton Globe
  • Fri 28 Mar 2025 Salford Lowry Lyric Theatre
  • Sat 29 Mar 2025 Blackpool Opera House

Read more

Featured image: Publicity picture

Theatre

Chicago the Musical razzles (and dazzles) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

A story of murder, greed and corruption was performed with style, ease and flair; Chicago is the longest-running American musical in Broadway and West End history, and it’s easy to see why now that it’s arrived in Manchester.

The jazz-fuelled fiasco is filled with catchy songs that you can’t help but click along to, funny one-liners, and likeable characters such as Miss Roxy Hart herself.

Best-known for appearing as Kate Connor in Coronation Street, the opening night in Manchester on Chicago‘s UK tour may have been a daunting prospect, but it’s one Faye Brookes pulled off seamlessly.

Here’s our full review…

Image: Press Images (Supplied)

Brookes is fantastically expressive and brings new energy to a classic, complemented throughout by a sultry cast dressed in buckles and mesh that really bring the ‘Razzle Dazzle’ to the stage.

Her co-star, Strictly Come Dancing‘s Kevin Clifton, struts through the show transformed into Billy Flynn – a flamboyant 1920s American lawyer who has the desperate inmates in the palm of his hand.

The opening number, ‘All That Jazz’, is spearheaded by Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly and she does it brilliantly.

Image: Supplied

The cast slink their way across the stage with Scott at the forefront, who undoubtedly delivers a faultless performance and complements Brookes as Roxie Hart perfectly.

A highlight of course included the hilarious ‘Cell Block Tango’, the audience were laughing along as the women sang the stories of their murderous deeds whilst performing sharp and sultry choreography.

Not even a toe out of place.

Image: Supplied

The set is minimalist, dark and simple, but is simply brought to life by the wonderful expression and lively musical numbers performed on stage by the live band.

The live band sits on a staircase centre stage and their playful use of instruments throughout is truly impressive.

Neil MacDonald, the show’s musical director, even got involved with a few on-stage conversations which was a fabulous touch that made the show feel bespoke to us.

Images: Supplied

Read more:

Other notable performances included Brenda Edwards as Mamma Morton, whose powerhouse voice left the audience in absolute awe, and Joshua Lloyd as ‘Mister Cellophane’ caused a couple of pitiful “awws” from the auditorium.

Overall, this was a fantastic production of the Broadway classic – the standing ovation at the end proves I wasn’t the only one who thought that too.

Chicago the Musical is playing at the Palace Theatre Manchester until Saturday, 9 November and you can grab your last-minute tickets HERE.

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

Featured Images — Press images (Supplied)

Theatre

Giselle, one of the greatest romantic ballets, has landed in Manchester and it’s a must-see

Eva Claricoates Eva Claricoates

When the English National Ballet is in Manchester, it’s an opportunity you shouldn’t let slip by, and is almost guaranteed to be one of the most stunning performances to grace the stage – Giselle at the Palace Theatre certainly was.

Giselle tells the story of a young peasant girl, who falls in love with Albrecht, a duke, who pretends to be a peasant in order to seduce the show’s namesake.

Albrecht is not only hiding his status but also an engagement to another. When Giselle finds out about his deception, she descends into madness and dies from a broken heart.

Giselle is summoned from the dead by spirits, the Wilis, all abandoned and betrayed before their wedding day. The Wilis take their revenge by dancing men to death, and Giselle must decide whether her love for Albrecht is too strong to sentence him to the same fate.

giselle ballet manchester review
giselle review palace theatre manchester
Credit: The Manc Group

Giselle tells a story of grief, heartbreak, and love, and how a true heart always avails. Hauntingly beautiful and romantic, Mary Skeaping’s production had been tenderly revived from its original performance, and it’s clear to see why the performance received five-star reviews earlier this year.

The entire production was captivating and dramatic, leaving the audience gasping, laughing and firmly glued to their seats. Adolphe Adam’s score is performed live by the English National Ballet Philharmonic nestled beneath the stage, which compliments the performance beautifully and skilfully.

Perhaps the most mesmerising point of the performance was the Wilis appearing in the forest at the beginning of act two, as they formed perfectly symmetrical formations, and appeared to almost float across the stage.

It served as a great medium for exploring themes of the supernatural exquisitely, providing truly stunning imagery to the audience.

Giselle uses mime to convey its storyline to the audience, and even if you are a first-time ballet-goer, it’s an easy-to-follow, modern performance which can be enjoyed by all audiences. If you’re so inclined, you can even get involved in a dedicated ballet masterclass.

Read more:

Giselle runs until the 2 November at the Palace Theatre and it’s well worth going along to if you ask us.

You can grab your tickets HERE.

It’s not the only impressive show we’ve caught at the Palace recently either.

Grease The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a fizzing celebration of nostalgia
If Giselle or the ballet doesn’t quite tickle your fancy, why not try the biggest show in Manchester right now?

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

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)/The Manc Group

More Theatre

13 Going On 30 The Musical to make world premiere in Manchester

Manchester

13 Going On 30 The Musical to make world premiere in Manchester

Moulin Rouge The Musical is heading to Manchester for the first time EVER. Credit: Matt Murphy

Theatre

Moulin Rouge The Musical is heading to Manchester for the first time EVER

Manchester

Grease The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a fizzing celebration of nostalgia

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches