It seems everywhere you turn right now, everything is pink and green – Wicked has hit the cinemas and everyone is well and truly drinking the green elixir.
Coincidentally, the touring theatre show of Wicked, celebrating 21 years since the first Broadway show and 18 years since debuting in the West End, has landed in town. While everyone else is following the yellow brick road to the big screen, I followed it to the Palace Theatre in Manchester.
Now we all think we know the story of Dorothy, poor girl whipped away from home in a tornado and crushing an evil witch with her house – we’ve all been there. This story however, tells the story from the “Wicked” Witch of the West’s perspective, filled with mind-blowing vocal acrobatics from a cast that just won’t let up.
Floating in on a giant mechanical bubble enters Glinda, or “Garlinda” as she prefers to be called, Sarah Pickford sets the standard for the show. An operatic entrance, the audience is in absolute awe. A well known character, Sarah makes the Good Witch of the North her own with a comical kindness.
Laura Pick, who has played the role of Elphaba at the Apollo Victoria before, takes opening night in her green stride – her love for the character shines through and her voice. Her VOICE. Her rendition of Defying Gravity had me in tears. I knew the song was good, but not this good. The audience is electrified by her performance.
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The storytelling of the show is sublime, with every cast member pulling you deeper and deeper in through gravity-defying dance numbers and the set is absolutely jaw-dropping. The mechanical Wizard of Oz (voiced and played by the fantastic Simeon Truby) is something to behold.
Wicked is in Manchester at the Palace Theatre. Credit: Supplied
Other notable performances come from Carl Man (who plays love interest Fiyero), Donna Berlin (the surprisingly cruel Madame Morrible), Jed Berry (the googly-eyed Munchkin Boq) and Megan Gardiner. Megan plays Elhpaba’s sister Nessarose, another character desperate for love but sadly becomes quite sinister.
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Like the cogs in the Wizard’s head, the presence of each cast member keeps the show running like a well oiled machine.
The story itself is one of an outsider, desperate to be loved and accepted for her difference, who finds friendship in unlikely places and how two people can change for the better. Of course, like often in life, a man tries to ruin it (surprise surprise).
Wicked is back at the Palace Theatre in Manchester. Credit: Mark Senior
A light is shone on how easily society can be whipped into a frenzy to protect their own beliefs and how love can withstand so much.
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The absolute star of the show however, is the iconic soundtrack and how awe-inspiring everyone is at singing. Genuinely, it was nearly impossible to not provide a standing ovation after every song. It was just that good. I’m even listening to the soundtrack right now as I write this on the tram home. I can’t (and don’t want to) get it out of my head.
Wicked is the 10th longest running West End show in British history and has won over 100 global awards. It has been seen by 65 million people worldwide (65 million and one now if you include me) and it isn’t hard to see why. Now a cinematic phenomenon, with Act 1 in cinemas now and Act 2 to hit the screen in November 2025.
Wicked is in Manchester for a six week season and is the tenth and final date after kicking off their tour in Edinburgh in December 2023.
The show closes on Sunday 12 January and remaining tickets are incredibly limited, so if you have one short day, spend it in Oz and book now while you can.
Follow the yellow brick road all the way to the theatre.
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Book your tickets to Wicked at the Palace Theatre Manchester HERE.
13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – a fresh take on the nostalgic smash hit
Amy Williams
13 Going On 30 The Musical made its world premiere in Manchester last night, and it’s a night to relive a childhood favourite film, done so brilliantly.
With the original writers, Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, as part of the team plus Andy Fickman, who has screen hits such as She’s The Man and musicals including Heathers, you know from the off this is going to be good.
If you don’t know the story, it begins with a young (13 year old) Jenna and Matty, with Jenna wishing she was one of the popular girls, and instead ‘thirty, flirty and thriving’. The next minute, she wakes up on her 30th birthday.
She got everything she dreamed of – prom queen, editor of a popular fashion magazine, and the dream guy – but lost her best friend, family and became someone she didn’t quite like.
Can she turn it around and get back to the person she once was?
I loved this film when I was closer to 13, and now watching it premiere on the stage a bit closer to 30 myself, it’s still just as brilliant.
13 Going On 30 The Musical in Manchester13 Going On 30 The Musical in ManchesterCredit: Pamela Raith Photography
There’s an original score throughout it too (with the exception of, of course, Thriller – and the whole dance routine to go with it too might I add).
Staring Lucie Jones as Jenna Rink – with previous roles on Les Miserables, Ghost The Musical and Wicked – and David Hunter as Matt Flamhaff, their voices were absolutely incredible. A special mention too to young Matt, with brilliant vocals.
13 Going On 30 The Musical brought back the Thriller dance, the famous multicoloured dress and the need to go back instantly and rewatch the film again (and make my mum watch it, who hadn’t seen the film previously but still loved the show just as much).
13 Going On 30 The Musical is on at the Opera House Manchester until Sunday 12 October and you can still grab tickets here.
Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year
Emily Sergeant
Ready to have the time of your life? Dirty Dancing is returning to Manchester next year.
Based off the iconic 1987 film of the same name, audiences are being told to expect this new production of Dirty Dancing to explode onto the stage with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion, and of course, sensationally sexy dancing when it heads out on a grand tour of the UK and Ireland in 2026.
The popular stage production will, once again, come to life before your very eyes with what is already being described as a ‘fantastic, emotional and triumphant’ live show.
If you’ve never seen the film, or you haven’t been lucky enough to watch Dirty Dancing on stage before, this worldwide smash hit tells the classic story of Baby and Johnny.
Beloved musical Dirty Dancing is returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Mark Senior
Already seen by millions across the globe, you’ll get to watch these two ‘fiercely-independent’ young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.
The musical features the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’, and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’.
The iconic show will first be returning to the stage with a preview at Milton Keynes Theatre on 27 August 2026 before it heads out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and arrives at Manchester’s legendary Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026.
Tickets officially go on sale this week / Credit: Dirty Dancing (via X)
Once again, the show will be directed by Federico Bellone and choreographed by Austin Wilks, with the producer being Karl Sydow.
“We can’t wait to bring this amazing show back to audiences across the UK and Ireland,” Karl Sydow said. “Now more than ever, theatre needs the excitement and joy that Dirty Dancing brings – you’ll have the time of your life.”
Tickets to Dirty Dancing at Manchester Palace Theatre from Tuesday 29 September to Saturday 3 October 2026 officially go on sale this morning at 10am.