Theatre

The Lion King adds even more dates to Manchester theatre run

Tickets go on sale today. This article contains affiliate links.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 17th June 2022

Smash hit musical The Lion King has just added even more dates to its run in Manchester – and tickets go on sale today.

The award-winning theatre show announced its return to the Palace Theatre, after having to repeatedly postpone previous shows because of coronavirus restrictions.

The stage adaptation of the 1994 Disney film had already announced a three-month run this autumn and winter, but now it’s extended it again.

The Lion King has now added a batch of new dates and will stay in Manchester until 19 February 2023.

  • Credit: Deen van Meer
  • Credit: Joan Marcus
  • The Lion King musical. Credit: Brinkhoff-Mogenburg

It gives fans a chance to see this incredible show after the previous dates sold out due to phenomenal demand.

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The spellbinding show marries puppetry (there are 232 puppets in every show) and costumes with a huge cast of actors to bring Simba’s tale to life.

The Lion King’s theatre adaptation features all the familiar hits, including The Circle of Life and Can You Feel The Long Tonight, with a soundtrack written by the likes of Elton John, Tim Rice and South African composer Lebo M.

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The musical follows young lion Simba’s journey to becoming King of the Pridelands, joined by other characters such as Timon and Pumba, Nala, Scar, and Zazu.

Read more: The Bodyguard musical is heading to Manchester, with tickets from just £13

It was won six Tony awards since launching on Broadway in the late 1990s.

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Already seen by more than 110 million people worldwide, The Lion King will now be at the Palace Theatre between 27 October and 19 February.

Tickets for The Lion King go on sale at 10am on Friday 17 June – you can book yours here.

Featured image: Brinkhoff-Mogenburg

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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