One of the most successful musicals of the 21st century is heading out on its first-ever UK tour, and it’s stopping off in Manchester.
After taking Broadway and the West End – and the world – the multi-award winning musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda that has been captivating and engaging audiences like no other for close to a decade is about to head out on a tour of the UK for the first time ever later this year.
And Manchester’s Palace Theatre has been chosen as one of the lucky destinations.
First premiering Off-Broadway back in February 2015, the Olivier, Tony, Grammy, and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical production opened at the newly re-built and restored Victoria Palace Theatre in London in December 2017 – where it continues to play to sell-out audiences.
The smash-hit production is also still drawing in record-breaking crowds on Broadway, as well as on stage in Toronto, Australia, and Germany – with an international tour also planned.
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#HamiltonMusical will tour the UK for the very first time from November 2023.
Unfamiliar with the cultural phenomenon that is Hamilton?
Well, to put it simply – “Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now.”
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Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre – going on to become a musical that’s had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.
Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography, Hamilton has a book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire.
An original Broadway cast recording of the show also became a hit movie on Disney+ in 2020.
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Smash-hit musical Hamilton to stop off in Manchester on first-ever UK tour / Credit: Hamilton West End
“Since the day the show opened at the Victoria Palace Theatre, London has embraced Hamilton with an enthusiasm we could never have imagined,” explained Hamilton producer Jeffrey Seller.
“We are excited to embark on a UK tour and share this special musical with audiences in Manchester and Edinburgh first.”
Producer Cameron Mackintosh added: “Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton is indisputably the most brilliant, ground-breaking, contemporary musical of modern times. I feel extraordinarily fortunate that Lin and my friend Jeffrey Seller, the show’s original producer, have entrusted me with their wonderful musical in the UK and Ireland.
“The London production opened in 2017 at the Victoria Palace, a theatre I completely rebuilt to house Hamilton, where it continues to play and has proved to be as big a success as the Broadway original.
“So, I am thrilled that it is time to put together a second British national touring company to bring this great show to our leading cities.”
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📣 MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT 📣
Coming to the greatest city in the world. #HamiltonUKTour arrives in MANCHESTER, November 2023 for 15 Weeks Only.
The Hamilton UK tour will open at Manchester Palace Theatre on Saturday 11 November 2023 for a 15-week season until Saturday 24 February 2024, before it heads off to the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh from Wednesday 28 February – Saturday 27 April 2024.
You can sign-up for updates and access to priority tickets here.
Featured Image – Hamilton West End
Theatre
Massive new musical featuring songs by Kylie Minogue and Rick Astley to have world premiere in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
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.
Promotional posters for the new production say ‘the wedding is OFF, but the honeymoon is ON!’.
Rick AstleyKylie Minogue and Jason DonovanI 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.
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.”
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
Mrs Brown’s Boys is coming back to Manchester with ‘classic play’
Daisy Jackson
Mrs Brown’s Boys is returning to theatres across the UK this autumn, taking Mrs Brown Rides Again back on tour.
For the first time in 10 years, the ‘much-loved classic play’ written by and starring Brendan O’Carroll will be hitting the live stage.
Mrs Brown Rides Again is based on the hit sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys, which follows loud-mouthed Irish matriarch Agnes Brown (or ‘Mammy’) and her six children.
The play itself follows the dysfunctional family after Agnes learns that her children plan to have her put in a home.
While trying to prove that she has a new lease of life, she’s faced with a psychiatrist trying to put her in her place, a neighbour waiting for a heart bypass, and a family secret that everyone seems to know except her.
A new mini-series of Mrs Brown’s Boys has also been announced, returning to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
We are delighted to announce that we are coming back on tour to the UK this Autumn with "Mrs. Brown Rides Again" we haven't preformed this in 10 yrs so were very excited. Pre sale tickets go on sale this Wed 22nd March at 10 AM here is the link you need https://t.co/t4g3qit0t3pic.twitter.com/CYw1oJlzzf
It will be the first mini-series in more than a decade following years of regular Christmas specials, which usually dominate viewing ratings.
Over the years, the sitcom has been awarded five BAFTAs, four National Television Awards, three TV Choice Awards, four IFTA awards, three TV Times Awards as well as RTS, TRIC and National Comedy Awards.
On the new tour, Brendan O Carroll said: “The Pandemic is gone, and Mrs Brown is back. It doesn’t get any better.”
Mrs. Brown Rides Again will be at the Manchester Opera House between 30 August and 2 September this year.
Tickets go on sale Friday 24 March at 10am from atgtickets.com.
Full tour dates for Mrs Brown’s Boys play, Mrs Brown Rides Again
Fri 25 Aug 23 Glasgow OVO Hydro Sat 26 Aug 23 Glasgow OVO Hydro (Matinee and Evening show) Wed 30 Aug 23 Manchester Opera House Thu 31 Aug 23 Manchester Opera House Fri 01 Sep 23 Manchester Opera House Sat 02 Sep 23 Manchester Opera House (Matinee and Evening show) Thu 07 Sep 23 Edinburgh Playhouse Fri 08 Sep 23 Edinburgh Playhouse Sat 09 Sep 23 Edinburgh Playhouse (Matinee and Evening show) Tue 12 Sep 23 Wolverhampton The Halls Wed 13 Sep 23 Wolverhampton The Halls Fri 15 Sep 23 Cardiff International Arena Sat 16 Sep 23 Cardiff International Arena (Matinee and Evening show) Wed 20 Sep 23 Liverpool Empire Theatre Thu 21 Sep 23 Liverpool Empire Theatre Fri 22 Sep 23 Liverpool Empire Theatre Sat 23 Sep 23 Liverpool Empire Theatre (Matinee and Evening show) Wed 18 Oct 23 Sunderland Empire Thu 19 Oct 23 Sunderland Empire Fri 20 Oct 23 Sunderland Empire Sat 21 Oct 23 Sunderland Empire (Matinee and Evening show) Fri 27 Oct 23 Hull Bonus Arena Sat 28 Oct 23 Hull Bonus Arena (Matinee and Evening show) Mon 30 Oct 23 Bournemouth International Centre Tue 31 Oct 23 Bournemouth International Centre Thu 02 Nov 23 Blackpool Opera House Fric 03 Nov 23 Blackpool Opera House Sat 04 Nov 23 Blackpool Opera House (Matinee and Evening show)
Emily Sergeant -
21st February 2023 
