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Spectacular ‘Power Ballads Live!’ show is returning to Manchester

Better get practising those high notes...

The Manc The Manc - 22nd March 2021

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The breath-taking, energy-pumped, action-packed Power Ballads Live! show is officially returning to Manchester in spring, organisers have confirmed.

Powers Ballads Live! packed out the O2 Ritz last time around – as a cohort of 16 talented rock musicians wowed crowds with renditions of the biggest and best-loved power ballads of all time.

With live entertainment set to return in England, Tightrope Productions have now launched a brand new socially-distanced edition of the show scheduled for May.

Audiences are being invited to croon along to classics such as ‘Don’t Stop Believing’, ‘I’d Do Anything For Love’ and ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on the night – with a dedicated venue set up so the event can be enjoyed in a COVID-secure space.

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Power Ballads Live! will be hosted at DriveINSIDE, Trafford Centre: An arena being billed as the ‘world’s first drive-in theatre’.

Covered by Europe’s largest tent, DriveINSIDE has capacity for 800 visitors – with all drivers parking up in a specially-allocated space and sitting in a pre-reserved seat alongside their vehicle.

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Managing Director Daniel Wood said the show was “one of the most exciting projects” he’d ever been a part of.

“This venue is very special and provides a real immersive experience for our audience,” he stated. 

“Actors will welcome vehicles and will interact with our audience before the show.

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“There will also be a full bar and food service to your seat although the alcoholic drinks will just be for those in the passenger seats!”

Power Ballads Live! will burst into action on Saturday 15 May. 

The show start time is 7.45pm at DriveINSIDE Theatre in Manchester’s Trafford Centre.Tickets are available online here.

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Matilda The Musical at Palace Theatre Manchester – a lesson in letting your imagination run wild | Review

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

I think growing up is overrated. I’m just going to start off by saying that, okay? Right… now onto the actual review.

Matilda The Musical has finally arrived in Manchester, and it’s every bit as imaginative as the title character herself.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash-hit musical production – which is, of course, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book of the same name – has been seen by more than 12 million people in over 100 cities around the world since it first debuted back in 2010, and it continues to play to packed houses in London’s West End and on Broadway each week… but now, it’s Manchester’s turn.

The critically-acclaimed musical is currently out on a tour of the UK and Ireland, and has just arrived for a special four-week run here at Manchester’s iconic Palace Theatre.

Touring to celebrate its 15-year anniversary, the multi-award winning musical about a determined young heroine with a vivid imagination is written by Dennis Kelly, and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, with music and lyrics by comedian Tim Minchin.

Matilda The Musical is now on stage at Manchester Palace Theatre / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Despite being a fan of musical theatre, and even of the production’s popular soundtrack prior, Matilda The Musical was one I was yet to experience live on stage before last night.

Understandably because of this, it was one I was therefore really anticipating watching – and 15 years on, it’s truly not hard to see why it’s so beloved by so many.

Manchester audiences who gathered inside the storied walls of the Palace Theatre on opening night last night (26 March) were enchanted from the moment the colourful, eclectic stage lit up and the sets came to life, immersing you in the world right from the get-go.

It’s a production every bit as imaginative as the main character herself / Credit: Publicity Picture (Supplied)

Now, it would be fair to say that so much could go wrong in this production, given how many moving parts are involved in the stage design and choreography, but it’s a complete credit to every single member of the company that not once, as an audience member, did you ever feel anything would go wrong – that’s how technically impressive the staging was.

Those technical elements barely scratch the surface of just how much this show grabs you by the heart and makes you cling onto the magic of childlike imagination, though. This is where it really shines.

Through well-known songs like ‘Naughty’, ‘Revolting Children’, ‘When I Grow Up’, and ‘Quiet’, you are left feeling in awe of the incredibly (almost unbelievably, to be honest) talented ensemble cast of young performers on stage before you.

Led last night by Mollie Hutton as Matilda, who brought her own charm and cheekiness to the iconic role, each youngster really is living proof that ‘even if you’re little, you can do a lot’.

It’s now on stage in Manchester up until Saturday 25 April / Credit: The Manc Group

Tessa Kalder as Miss Honey, Richard Hurst as Miss Trunchbull, and Esther Niles as Mrs Phelps were all stand-out performances too, as were Adam Stafford and Rebecca Thornhill as Matilda’s parents, Mr and Mrs Wormwood.

It’s a show full of humour, eccentric characters, and captivating sets… and it’s well worth your time, whether a theatre-lover or not.

The beaming smiles from the cast at the end during the curtain call say it all.

Read more:

Matilda The Musical is now playing at Manchester Palace Theatre until Saturday 25 April 2026, and you can get last-minute tickets online here.

Featured Image – Publicity Picture (Supplied)

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Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend

Danny Jones Danny Jones free all-day neighbourhood festival Stretford town centre

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 The 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.

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.

Yes, we said pirates…

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.

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 23 – 29 March 2026

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Publicity pictures/Adrian Michael (supplied)/The Manc Group

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