After three years of waiting, The Book of Mormon is back in Manchester at the Palace Theatre and it’s just as outrageously funny as before.
All I had ever heard about this musical going into it is how absolutely hilarious it is – I had little knowledge of the story line and from what I did know I was still unsure I would like it. But I didn’t just like it, I loved it and I can’t remember the last time I laughed that much in one evening.
Written by Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Robert Lopez, the masterminds being South Park, The Book of Mormon returned to the Palace Theatre on Wednesday 11 September and will run up until Saturday 5 October with lots of tickets still on sale.
The story follows two young Mormon missionaries, Elder Price and Elder Cunningham, who are sent to a remote village in Uganda to spread the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upon arrival, they are faced with harsh realities which starkly contrast with their own naïve expectations.
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The full cast of The Book of Mormon. Credit: Paul Coltas.
Also sounds quite serious doesn’t it? Well despite the plot line this is a show that had every member of the audience rolling around laughing from start to finish.
I must warn if you are not of fan of dark comedy, you’ll be better off catching Mamma Mia, but if you can lean into the humour you’ll be walking away with sore ribs and teary eyes.
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As the story pans out the pair struggle to connect with the locals and each other while their religious mission takes unexpected and often absolutely absurd turns.
This is a musical that certainly doesn’t shy away from poking fun at religion, especially Mormonism, and has a knack for finding the funny side of culture clashes and colonialism.
The ensemble of The book of Mormon. Credit: Paul Coltas.Credit: Paul Coltas.
While the show is famous for its comedy, something has to be said for the choreography, when you can take a moment from gasping at the contents of the lyrics you can appreciate that this cast can really dance.
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Absolutely turning the musical genre on its head, it carries all the same profanity and shock-factor as South Park in the best way possible.
The two leads played by Adam Bailey and Sam Glen are phenomenal all the way through, how they don’t burst out laughing sentence is a skill itself, and had the audience clinging onto every punch line.
But for me the ensemble really make a musical and this cast is nothing short of spectacular, I would go and watch it again tomorrow.
The Book of Mormon Manchester. Credit: Paul Coltas
The show is in Manchester at the Palace Theatre until October 5 and if you want an evening of non-stop laughing I could not recommend it more.
If you needed any more persuading, it’s been announced today that 15 tickets for each performance will be made available at £15 each, from 12pm the day of the performance so get your alarm set quick.
Mary Poppins at Palace Theatre, Manchester – a spoonful of magic
Dec Kelly
The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins has arrived at Manchester Palace Theatre like a gust of wind from the East – bold, magical, and utterly charming.
This beloved musical, co-produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Disney Theatrical, continues to soar with a reinvigorated staging that captures both the heart of the original and the spectacle expected by modern audiences.
From the moment the overture begins, there’s a tangible sense of excitement.
The production is visually rich, transforming Edwardian London into a pop-up storybook come to life.
The set changes glide seamlessly, and the use of projections and stagecraft delivers the kind of magic that keeps children wide-eyed and adults grinning like them.
Mary’s iconic flight is breathtaking and still manages to feel like the first time you saw it.
Stefanie Jones returns to the role of Mary Poppins with an effortless elegance. Her portrayal is delightfully crisp, with just the right balance of mystery and warmth. She sings with clarity and control, and her comedic timing keeps the show light and pacey. She is, quite literally, the glue that holds the show together – and she does it with a wink and a twirl of her umbrella.
As Bert, Jack Chambers brings a buoyant energy that never fades. His charm is infectious, especially during “Step in Time”, a tap number that turns the theatre into a playground. Whether he’s defying gravity on rooftops or leading a chorus of chimney sweeps, Chambers is a joy to watch – charismatic, agile, and sincere.
The score, with classics like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “A Spoonful of Sugar”, and “Feed the Birds”, remains timeless.
The orchestra handles the blend of whimsy and emotion with skill, and the choreography is as inventive as ever – especially in ensemble numbers that explode with colour and movement.
The 2025 UK tour of Mary Poppins doesn’t just revisit a classic – it refreshes it. While the story may be light on plot and character depth, the production more than makes up for it with theatrical magic and dazzling stagecraft.
It’s a visual and musical feast that reminds us why this timeless tale continues to soar. Mary Poppins is, indeed, practically perfect in every way.
You can grab tickets for Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre in Manchester HERE.
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon to kick off UK tour in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Multi award-winning musical Sunny Afternoon is set to kick off its UK tour here in Manchester later this year.
Following a sell-out run at Hampstead Theatre, the musical production featuring all the hit songs by legendary rock band The Kinks opened to critical acclaim at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End, where it ran for two years ahead of its sensational UK and Ireland tour throughout 2016/17.
It also collected four Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical and Outstanding Achievement in Music for Ray Davies, along the way.
Award-winning The Kinks musical Sunny Afternoon is kicking off its UK tour in Manchester / Credit: ATG Tickets
Set against the backdrop of Britain on the cusp of the rebellious 60s,Sunny Afternoon is described as being an ‘exhilarating and moving’ celebration of the music, life, and the band that changed it all, The Kinks.
Sunny Afternoon celebrates The Kinks’ raw energy, passion, and timeless sound.
Charting the ‘euphoric highs’ and ‘agonising lows’, the smash-hit production tells the band’s story through an incredible back catalogue of chart-toppers – including ‘You Really Got Me’, ‘Lola’, ‘All Day and All of the Night’, and of course, ‘Sunny Afternoon’ itself.
Tickets are on sale now from just £15 each / Credit: Kevin Cummins
Producers Sonia Friedman Productions and ATG Productions announced last week that the show would be returning for another UK tour later this year, and it’ll be opening right here on one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages.
The hit musical will open at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on 10 October 2025 and it will run right through until 18 October.
Sunny Afternoon has music and lyrics, and an original story, all by the band’s frontman Ray Davies, along with a book by Joe Penhall, direction by Edward Hall, design by Miriam Buether, and choreography by Adam Cooper.
Abbie Bartlett -
20th September 2024 
