World-famous musical Dreamgirls is heading out on a tour of the UK, and will be stopping off at Manchester next September.
This is the first time the hit show is set to tour the country.
The multi award-winning production – which was also notably adapted into a film starring Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson in 2006 – follows the lives of three young singers, Effie, Lorrell and Deena, as they navigate the turbulence of the 1960s and the cut-throat world of fame, fortune and show business.
Dreamgirls was originally set to tour the UK back in 2020, but all dates understandably had to be postponed and rearranged due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The tour has now been confirmed for 2021-2023, starting in Liverpool this December and arriving at Manchester’s Palace Theatre between Wednesday 13th September and Saturday 24th September 2022.
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We are completely thrilled to announce that #DreamgirlsUK Tour is now scheduled from December 2021, starring the dazzling @NicoleRaquel_D ✨💛
Dreamgirls made its West End premiere in 2016 at the Savoy Theatre, 35 years after opening on Broadway, and has since gone on to win six Tony Awards and two Grammy Awards.
Nicole Raquel Dennis – a stage veteran and a finalist on ITV’s The Voice – will play the role of Effie White.
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She is also set to star in productions of Waitress, The Book of Mormon and Dear Evan Hansen.
At present, dates for the Dreamgirls UK tour are subject to the government guidance for indoor performances, with the Palace Theatre and Opera House Theatre in Manchester yesterday publishing a joint statement on reopening dates saying: “As we continue to plan for our theatre reopening, we are today suspending performances to Saturday 26th June.
“This announcement puts us on a path towards opening our doors to you all.
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“Our team is coming back to work in our theatre and this additional period also gives our producer partners the time to prepare their amazing productions.
“If this affects your booking, you don’t need to do anything, and we will email you soon. We’ve rescheduled so many incredible productions and will continue to find new dates for these shows. If your performance is rescheduled your tickets and seats will be automatically transferred.
“We are so close to our first standing ovation and we cannot wait to share the moment with you all”.
The Dreamgirls UK tour will be at the Palace Theatre Manchester from 13th – 24th September 2022, and tickets will on sale at 10am next Tuesday 27th April.
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour, with tickets on sale Friday.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November – you can get your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd April 2021 
