The Lowry in Salford Quays has had a bit of TLC with one of its biggest theatre spaces undergoing a pretty significant refurb this past month.
Following a well-deserved grant distributed via the Biffa Award, a multi-million-pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through community and environmental projects across the UK, the legendary local theatre received nearly £75k last year.
As a result, all 440 seats and various other aspects of The Lowry‘s Quays Theatre have now been renovated and refurbished.
The short story is, she looks more gorgeous than ever – see for yourself:
Being initially handed over in March 2024, The Lowry was awarded a total of £74,816 to reupholster seating in the venue’s Quays Theatre with new padding and fabric.
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After almost 25 years of constant use as one of the most popular theatres in the North, the seats in the Quays Theatre were much in need of a refurb, and with work completed in December, Lowry visitors can now enjoy watching the venue’s wide range of theatre, dance, comedy and drama in comfort.
The work was actually carried out between July and December, with seats being carefully removed in batches and reupholstered off-site.
This was made possible due to the Biffa Award’s most recent ‘Cultural Facilities’ theme, which aims to improve recreation, interest and education, drawing funds from the UK government’s wider Landfill Communities Fund.
The old fabric and padding were disposed of sustainably, with lots of it being repurposed where possible to minimise waste and all the new materials used meet current guidance for safety and quality.
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The Lowry’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Development, Gwen Oakden, said of the long overdue update:“It is so important that our audiences are able to enjoy our world-class performing arts programme in a comfortable and welcoming space.
“For many visitors to the Quays Theatre, this is their first experience of live performance – often to see a family show or as part of a school trip. We really want it to be the best experience possible, and for them to begin a lifelong relationship with Lowry.
“As a registered charity, without the generous support of this Biffa Award, for which we’re hugely grateful, we couldn’t have carried out this important work for our audiences.
As we head into our 25th Anniversary year, we are delighted to be able to welcome audiences and visitors can enjoy the beautiful and revived Quays Theatre.”
As for the Biffa side of things, Grants Manager Rachel Maidment added: “We are delighted to have supported The Lowry in refurbishing the Quays Theatre seating, ensuring audiences can continue to enjoy performances in comfort.
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“Through Biffa’s Cultural Facilities theme, we fund projects that provide engaging and inspiring spaces for communities. The Lowry is a key cultural venue, and we’re proud that our funding, made possible through the government Fund, has helped enhance the experience for visitors for years to come.”
Like most Mancs, we love The Lowry, so here’s to hosting countless more theatregoers in the most comfortable seats possible for generations to come.
We’ve been to some brilliant performances around here of late.
Northern Ballet’s Gentlemen Jack at The Lowry – A powerful story of queer love
Aimee Woodcock
Northern Ballet’s Gentleman Jack is a moving and beautifully crafted retelling of the life of Anne Lister, the 19th-century Yorkshire landowner often described as the ‘first modern lesbian’.
Through the stunning choreography of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, the production captures not only Anne’s extraordinary determination to live authentically, but also the enduring power of queer love.
Gemma Coutts delivers a compelling performance as Anne Lister, embodying her confidence, intelligence and refusal to conform to society’s expectations. From the opening scenes, Anne’s strength of character shines through, setting the tone for a story that feels both deeply historical and strikingly relevant. The choreography from Ochoa allows Anne’s personality to shine through every movement.
Halfway through Act I, Saeka Shirai joins the ensemble as Marianne, Anne’s great love. Their partnership is one of the production’s highlights. The pair beautifully convey the intensity of their passion and devotion, so much so that it moved me to tears.
Surrounding them is a fascinating chorus of words, embodied by the ensemble dancers, who fill the stage and bring Anne’s famous diaries and inner thoughts vividly to life, you truly feel like you’re getting lost with the words as they take over the stage.
The romance is tested when Marianne’s husband discovers their affair. Faced with an impossible choice, Marianne chooses the security of her marriage over a life with Anne, leaving Anne heartbroken.
Credit: Tristram KentonCredit: Tristram KentonGentleman Jack is at The Lowry
Following this loss, Anne travels to Paris and returns transformed, once she’s back home in Yorkshire, she forms an immediate connection with the gentle and wealthy Ann Walker, danced beautifully by Rachael Gillespie. Their relationship becomes the emotional centre of Act II.
Together they face numerous challenges, including societal pressures and personal insecurities, yet their bond continues to deepen – a true testament to queer love.
Ochoa carefully builds their relationship through movement, creating a partnership that feels authentic and symbolic. The ballet ends in a symbolic wedding and shared flight towards a future together, a powerful affirmation of their love and commitment.
As a queer woman myself, I was completely moved by this portrayal of love. Seeing a same-sex relationship presented with such beauty, dignity and tenderness within the classical language of ballet felt deeply moving.
Gentleman Jack reminds us that queer women have always been here, and always will be. It is a powerful, emotional and uplifting production that I would highly recommend.
Gentleman Jack is at The Lowry in Salford until Saturday 6 June
Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year
Emily Sergeant
Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is heading out on tour next year, and of course it’ll be stopping off in Greater Manchester.
The Tony and Grammy Award-winning production is currently playing its third smash-hit year in London’s West End, but once 2027 rolls around, Hadestown is embarking on its first-ever tour of the UK and Ireland, and tickets are officially set to go on general sale this morning (5 June).
If you’re unfamiliar with this modern-day classic, Hadestown takes you on an unforgettable journey to the underworld and back, intertwining two mythic love stories – that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone.
Described as being a ‘deeply resonant’ and ‘defiantly hopeful’ theatrical experience, audiences are invited to imagine how the world could be.
We're coming, songbirds. The journey underground begins February 2027.
Having been seen by over six million people, streamed by nearly a billion, and adored by fans around the world, critics have called this record-breaking musical ’the most exhilarating ride’… and once you watch it for yourself, it’s not hard to see why.
Hadestown will be taking to the stage at the Lowry in Salford next March, arriving in the city on Tuesday 9 March and running through until Thursday 11 March 2027.
Other northern cities the production will be visiting on its upcoming tour include Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Liverpool, Hull, and Chester, while there’s many other major locations on the list before it closes in Sunderland in mid-November 2027.
Multi award-winning musical Hadestown is coming to Manchester on its UK tour next year / Credit: Marc Brenner (Supplied)
While the production is touring, the critically acclaimed West End run will still continue at London’s Lyric Theatre, more than eight years after its sold-out debut at the National Theatre in 2018.
Hadestown will be at the Lowry from Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 March 2027.
Danny Jones -
27th February 2025 
