Elf the Musical has announced a huge arena tour of the UK this Christmas, including THREE massive shows in Manchester.
The musical, based on the festive favourite film, will be stopping off at the AO Arena just before Christmas, before heading on to arenas in Leeds, Newcastle and Brighton.
The blockbuster film stars Will Ferrell as Buddy the Elf, a human raised by Santa Claus and his elves, who travels to New York City to find his real father – with hilarious and heartwarming consequences.
The Hollywood hit was turned into Elf the Musical, a supersized live arena spectacular with a mobile stage that travels the auditorium and a massive main stage with film backdrops on a huge LED screen.
Audiences can expect everything from an audience snowball fight to an indoor snowstorm, as well as witnessing Santa’s flying sleigh, following a giant candy cane journey from the North Pole.
ADVERTISEMENT
Aerial cirque artists will bring all of the action to life as part of a huge cast of performers.
A still from Elf the movie. Credit: Warner Brothers
Elf the Musical promises to be the biggest live Christmas show in the UK when it tours this winter.
ADVERTISEMENT
West End star Steven Serlin will be stepping into the lead role of Buddy the Elf, with other cast members including Birds of a Feather actor Charlie Quirke (as Buddy’s NYC pal), Charlotte Hall (as love interest Jovie), and Barry Bloxham (as Buddy’s dad).
The original score has been written by Matt Sklar and Chad Beguelin and has already delighted audiences on Broadway and the West End.
Producer and director Jon Conway says: “This is the fourth year we have presented this epic version of the Broadway and Hollywood hit as part of the World’s Biggest Pantomime brand.
ADVERTISEMENT
🆕 // JUST ANNOUNCED
🧝 #ELF, the hit Hollywood blockbuster movie has been supersized into a live arena spectacular for this Christmas!
🎫 Tickets will be available from Friday 21 April at 10am.
“Elf is always one of the most popular Christmas films and ‘Buddy The Elf’ a truly iconic character. We are returning to some venues and have made the show even bigger and better with new features to make it a really thrilling experience.
“We are keenly aware of the economic climate and are one of the few shows to have reduced our prices from Elf’s last visit for an affordable family outing!
“One of the best sights is the audiences dressing up for the show, especially the dads in elf Christmas sweaters! This is an unmissable Xmas treat.”
Elf the Musical will be at the AO Arena with two shows on 23 December (12pm and 4pm) and another on 24 December at 10am. Tickets are on pre-sale now at Ticketmaster.
Featured image: Publicity picture
Theatre
The Tina Turner Musical at Palace Theatre, Manchester – simply the best
Aimee Woodcock
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical has landed in Manchester, with a run of shows at the Palace Theatre taking place all the way into 2026.
And on opening night last week, the show lit up the Palace Theatre with a fierce, emotional and utterly captivating performance that charted Tina’s extraordinary life from her childhood in Nutbush to becoming the queen of Rock and Roll.
The cast delivered a knockout evening, bringing humour, heartbreak and sheer power to a story that truly earns its standing ovation.
Leading in the role of Tina, Jochebel Ohene MacCarthy was nothing short of phenomenal, capturing both the raw vulnerability of teen Anna Mae Bullock and the unstoppable force of the icon she became. Her vocals were electric, presence magnetic – a true tribute to Tina herself.
Opposite her, David King-Yombo’s portrayal of Ike Turner was chilling, layered and deeply impactful, grounding the story in its difficult truths without overshadowing Tina’s resilience.
Strong support from Martin Allanson (Phil Spector), William Beckerleg (Erwin Bach) and Isaac Elder (Roger Davies) rounded out a perfectly balanced cast. Special mention also to Tina Brice (young Anna-Mae) who belts out every vocal with ease, a true honour to watch her on the stage.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical has arrived at Manchester’s Palace Theatre. Credit: Manuel Harlan
The musical beautifully weaves Tina’s life through her legendary discography. Opening with “Nutbush City Limits,” we step straight into her Tennessee childhood before moving through her early performing days with high-energy numbers like “Shake a Tail Feather” and “A Fool in Love.” The tension rises with “River Deep – Mountain High,” a defiant, goosebump-inducing moment that marked the beginning of Tina reclaiming her voice.
Act Two dives into reinvention, beginning with a vulnerable and reflective “Private Dancer,” before ramping up to the hits that defined her solo career. “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” and “Proud Mary” was a standout – tender and triumphant all at once, while “The Best” closed the night with every person in the theatre on their feet.
This production doesn’t sanitise Tina’s story – it honours her strength, her fire, and her refusal to break. Emotional, electrifying and delivered with absolute heart, it’s a must-see tribute to a woman who truly was… simply the best.
Beloved play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time set to return to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved stage plays of the 21st Century is returning to Manchester.
Based on the celebrated 2003 novel of the same name that captivated readers worldwide, and inspired a groundbreaking National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is returning to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in early 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The new play is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens, and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
Taking over the Manchester Opera House stage in March 2027, critics have described the production as ‘inventive, gripping, and moving’.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story to create an ‘unforgettable’ theatrical event.
🌙 NEW SHOW ANNOUNCED 🌙
THE CENTURY’S MOST POPULAR MURDER MYSTERY
ATG+ Presale 👉 Tue 18 Nov 10am Sign up to today to get exclusive presale access: https://t.co/dhZYMmEsEH
If you’re not familiar with the plot, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone – a gifted child with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life.
When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself under suspicion, but determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, ultimately forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure,” commented Playwright Simon Stephens, as the new adaptation was announced this week.
“It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria, and from school drama clubs to Wembley Way.
“I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester Opera House as part of its UK tour from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Friday (21 November) at 10am.
Daisy Jackson -
20th April 2023 
