Dolly Parton’s smash-hit 9 to 5: the Musical is coming back to Manchester for a short run in Spring 2022, it has been revealed.
Starring Clare Sweeney as Violet, the hit show is inspired by the 80s film and tells the story of three colleagues who are pushed to breaking point by a sexist and egotistical supervisor.
Ultimately, Doralee, Violet, and Judy plan to kidnap their despicable boss in a bid to turn the tables on the situation – leaving audiences wondering whether the women will reform their office, or fall foul to old systems following a surprise visit from their CEO.
Written by the talented Patricia Resnick, who also created the original hit 80’s movie on which the musical is based, the comedic musical adaptation comes directly from the West End and features an Oscar, Grammy and Tony award-nominated score by the one and only Dolly Parton.
It opens with Dolly Parton herself, singing on a large video screen, before the three main characters take to the stage for their first song – so fans dying to get a glimpse of the queen bee herself will not be disappointed.
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Stopping off in the city for just five days, fans will have to be quick to bag a seat when it lands at Manchester’s Palace Theatre on March 1, 2022.
When it first came to Manchester in 2019, the show enjoyed a sell-out run and rave reviews.
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Dolly Parton has previously said that the “positive fan reaction to this universal story tickles every rhinestone on my body”.
This time around, theatre and tv actor Claire Sweeney will step into the role of Violet Newstead – replacing Louise Redknapp for the 2022 performances.
She will join Vivian Panka, making her professional stage debut as Judy Bernly, Stephanie Chandos as Doralee Rhodes, Sean Needham as Franklin Hart Jr., Julia J. Nagle as Roz Keith, and Russell Dickson as Joe.
To get your hands on tickets for the limited run of 9 to 5 at the Palace Theatre, click here.
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Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
Emily Sergeant
A major new exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ is making its world premiere in Manchester next year.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will invite visitors to explore our wondrous Solar System when it launches at the Science and Industry Museum next February.
Fresh off-the-back of the new BBC Children’s and Education TV show, Horrible Science, the ‘thrilling’ new exhibition will encourage visitors to ‘do science the horrible way’, and join both scientists and supervillains to unveil the secrets of space.
The new exhibition will propel families up into space where mystery, intrigue, and rocket-loads of silly and surprising science await. You’ll get to venture through a series of cosmic zones, walk in the shoes of astronauts, explore the life-giving energy of the sun, marvel at mysterious moons, and discover far-off weird worlds.
Left teetering on the edge of our Solar System, explorers will then find themselves staring into the dark depths of space, on the lookout for any extra-terrestrial life that could be staring back.
Whether its sniffing astronauts’ smelly socks, dancing on an alien disco planet, feeling the tremors from a mysterious moonquake, or launching a space rocket, organisers say this new adventure will engage all the senses in a truly immersive experience.
This is the first time Horrible Science has been brought to life as a major exhibition.
The Science and Industry Museum has announced a new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’ / Credit: BBC | Science Museum Group
Visitors will get to see familiar characters from the BBC series – like Dr Big Brain, in particular – on their mission to find out more about our fascinating Solar System through interactive experiments, playful challenges, and sensory exploration.
The exhibition is being developed by the Science and Industry Museum in collaboration with producers of the Horrible Science TV show, BBC Children’s and Education, and Lion Television, together with Scholastic, who are publishers of the much-loved Horrible Science book series by Nick Arnold and illustrated by Tony De Saulles.
‘Unmissable’ objects from the Science Museum Group’s world-class space collection will also be on show when the exhibition premieres.
Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos will open at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester on 13 February 2026 for an 11-month run before heading down to London, and tickets are now on sale priced at £10 – with family discounts available, and under-threes going free.
Manchester Cathedral to host charity Christmas carols service to raise money for local NHS hospitals
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals.
Organised by Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity and now in its twelfth year, Christmas Carols in the City will take place in the spectacular surroundings of Manchester Cathedral in a couple of weeks time, and it’s sounding set to be an enchanting experience for the whole family to be involved with this festive season.
The Grade I-listed Manchester Cathedral is one of our city’s most unique buildings, with the Gothic architecture truly being a thing to behold.
Christmas Carols in the City is being described as a ‘great way’ to start the festive season in style.
Hosted by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan and sponsored by PG Tips, performances on the night will come from local Manchester choirs.
The event is family-friendly and festive fun for everyone, all while raising funds for the Foundation Trust’s family of NHS Manchester hospitals.
Every penny raised from this year’s event will help to build and run a MediCinema on the Oxford Road hospital campus, which will aim to bring the ‘therapeutic magic of the movies’ to patients of all ages cared for by hospitals such as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
Manchester Cathedral is hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals / Credit: Supplied
With room for wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment, and supported by dedicated nurses and trained volunteers, the new MediCinema will offer 260 screenings a year of the latest releases, alongside much loved film favourites.
In recognition of the MediCinema Appeal, Christmas Carols in the City will feature some much-loved Christmas movie classics at this year’s concert too.
Christmas Carols in the City will return to Manchester Cathedral for 2025 on Tuesday 11 December, with doors opening from 7pm and tickets now on sale.
Georgina Pellant -
19th November 2021 
