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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“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.
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Adrian Michael (supplied)/The Manc Group
What's On
Embrace announce intimate live show in beloved Bury music venue
Danny Jones
British alternative veterans Embrace have announced another intimate show here in Greater Manchester, only this time it’s over in Bury at a stunning small-cap arts venue.
It’s not often you get to see such a long-standing band play outside of the city centre so far into their career, especially in gorgeous grassroots spaces like this one.
A fellow Northern outfit, they’ve often been lumped in with that ‘post-Britpop’ era of music, and plenty throw around the so-called ‘dad rock’ label, but honestly, we couldn’t care either way: they remain among the UK’s perennially underappreciated underdogs that never get old, as far as we’re concerned.
Revealing a handful of new live dates for their album launch this summer, they’ll be making just two appearances in the North West on the run.
Writing in the post, the group said: “We’ve lined up a run of exclusive UK dates in venues that are some of the smallest we’ve played in years. It’s going to be special, but capacity is extremely limited.”
As you can see, besides the Jacaranda Baltic in Liverpool, the only other place in this region where they’re set to play for this mini tour is The Met over in Bury.
One of the most beautiful gig spots, not just in the town but in all the 10 boroughs, for our money, the room only holds around 400 standing and roughly 250 seats.
For seasoned artists like this lot, who are more used to playing big festival stages and big domestic headline tours – which they’re also doing later this year – it’s sure to be a special night.
Toasting the release of their ninth studio LP, Avalanche, this spin-off on the tried and tested in-store format wouldn’t be possible without the help of local record store, Wax and Beans, who are promoting and hosting the show.
But we can’t lie, there’s something about the idea of seeing them decades on from when they first tightly-packed out crowds of this size.
If you want to be part of the Embrace album launch tour, you can get ready to grab your tickets at 10am this Friday, 27 March, right HERE. And speaking of great record shops…
Emily Sergeant -
23rd April 2021 
