Smash hit musical The Lion King will finally make a return to Manchester later this year.
The award-winning theatre show had to postpone its run at the Palace Theatre in the autumn of 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
After a few date changes, the stage adaptation of the 1994 Disney film will be back in the city for a three-month run.
Credit: Deen van Meer
Credit: Deen van Meer
Credit: Joan Marcus
The spellbinding show marries puppetry (there are 232 puppets in every show) and costumes with a huge cast of actors to bring Simba’s tale to life.
The Lion King’s theatre adaptation features all the familiar hits, including The Circle of Life and Can You Feel The Long Tonight, with a soundtrack written by the likes of Elton John, Tim Rice and South African composer Lebo M.
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The musical follows young lion Simba’s journey to becoming King of the Pridelands, joined by other characters such as Timon and Pumba, Nala, Scar, and Zazu.
Smash-hit musical Legally Blonde is returning to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Oh my god, you guys… one of the most popular stage musicals is heading out on a UK tour next year, and will be stopping off in Manchester.
Based on the novel Legally Blonde by Amanda Browning, and the iconic 2001 film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Coolidge, the multi-award winning Legally Blonde The Musical will be touring the UK and Ireland in 2026, and of course the cast’ll be taking to one of Manchester‘s most famous stages.
Producers ROYO and Curve have confirmed that this is brand-new production of the West End and Broadway hit musical comedy that we all know and love.
If you weren’t familiar with the fact Legally Blonde had even been turned into a musical at all, then this ultimate feel-good rom-com, based on the award-winning film, follows Elle Woods on her transformation from ‘It Girl’ fashionista to legal ace at Harvard Law School, all in the name of love.
🩷 ANNOUNCEMENT! 🩷
The iconic international West End and Broadway smash hit musical comedy Legally Blonde The Musical is back in fashion with a huge new production!
📅 Tue 3 – Sat 14 Nov 2026 🩷 ATG+ On Sale: Mon 19 May, 10am 🩷 General On Sale: Wed 21 May, 10am pic.twitter.com/tbO6oE8vcv
— Palace & Opera Mcr (@PalaceAndOpera) May 13, 2025
Elle must prove she is more than blonde ambition, swap the changing rooms for the courtroom, and learn that ‘being true to yourself never goes out of style.’
This new take on the beloved stage show features the same original music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, and will be directed by Curve’s Artistic Director Nikolai Foster – who is best known for directing previous productions of Kinky Boots, The Wizard of Oz, and A Chorus Line.
Casting for the production heading to Manchester Opera House in November 2026, along with further creatives, are set to be announced in due course.
Smash-hit musical Legally Blonde is returning to the stage in Manchester next year / Credit: Supplied
“Legally Blonde is firmly established in the musical theatre repertoire as a contemporary classic, commented Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster.
“We have assembled a ‘mad props’ creative team and together we are looking forward to creating a fresh, fun and sunny SoCal production of this great musical… we can’t wait to share the show with audiences across the UK and Europe.”
Legally Blonde The Musical will be taking to the Manchester Opera House stage from 3 – 14 November 2026, and tickets go on sale next Wednesday (21 May) at 10am.
Grab yourself some tickets when they go live here.
Featured Image – Legally Blonde The Musical
Theatre
Swordplay and rock ‘n’ roll: A Knight’s Tale comes to Manchester Opera House
Danny Jones
From the moment the curtain rises at Manchester Opera House, A Knight’s Tale bursts into life with exhilarating energy. This stage adaptation of the beloved 2001 film expertly blends medieval spectacle with a bold, modern twist.
Full of jousting tournaments, noble quests, and underdog triumphs, the production delivers both heart and high drama – all with a heady dose of rock ‘n’ roll.
At the centre of it all is William Thatcher, a young squire who dares to defy his lowly birth and enter the world of high-born knights. Played with charm and confidence by Andrew Coshan, William’s journey from peasant to jousting champion is rousing, if occasionally veering into heroic cliché.
Still, Coshan’s likability and natural charisma keep the audience cheering for him through every lance charge and dramatic monologue. The supporting cast also shines.
A standout is Eva Scott, whose comic timing and delivery consistently land laughs, often stealing scenes with her sharp one-liners.
Meanwhile, Meesha Turner brings elegance and spark to the role of Princess Jocelyn. Her powerful vocals during the show’s pop-classic ballads transform the character into a fiery, modern princess you can’t help but root for.
The production’s standout sequences are undoubtedly the jousts, theatrical set pieces that are an absolute masterclass in stagecraft. Using a clever combination of rigging, physical choreography, and dynamic sound design, the creative team conjures a truly immersive atmosphere.
Dramatic lighting and resonant sound effects make you feel the thud of hooves and the crash of lances. The cleverly designed set, featuring an arena-style jousting field, draws the audience into the action in a way that feels fresh and cinematic.
However, the show stumbles slightly in its quieter, more emotional scenes. The dialogue, while laced with humour, sometimes dips into melodrama. The villain, Count Adhemar, feels a touch underwritten, with motivations that don’t quite match the emotional weight the story strives for, but is still well-acted.
Don’t just take it from us: the A Knight’s Tale reviews from Manchester crowds are already very strong.
The stakes between him and William never fully build to the payoff they could – leaving certain dramatic beats a little flat. Musically, the show makes a bold departure from traditional scores. Instead, it leans into a soundtrack of classic rock anthems; think Queen, AC/DC, The Who and more.
At first, it seems like an odd match for a medieval tale, just as it did with the movie, but it works brilliantly. The music injects the show with rebellious energy and gives it a timeless quality. It’s loud, bold, and exactly what this high-octane tale of ambition and identity calls for.
A special mention must go to the ensemble and choreography. The jousting scenes are beautifully choreographed, blending acrobatics, dance, and swordplay with seamless precision. Even in quieter moments, the movement on stage supports the storytelling with subtle grace.
But the unexpected stars of the show? The horses. Designed with clever costume and movement illusions, they create the convincing effect of riders in full gallop – and at times, they very nearly steal the spotlight altogether.
Credit: Supplied
Though clearly aimed at adult audiences, with its cheeky humour and classic rock soundtrack, the show flirts with the spirit of panto, oversized characters, regional accents, and exaggerated physical comedy. And it works.
The regional dialects add warmth and levity, grounding the fantasy in a cheeky, very British sensibility. In the end, A Knight’s Tale is a triumphant and entertaining spectacle, an electrifying mix of medieval mythology and modern musical theatre.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original film or seeing the story for the first time, this production offers a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt night out. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard not to be swept up in the clashing swords, galloping hooves, and power chords.
Put simply, this is a knight to remember – with a soundtrack that slays.
Daisy Jackson -
12th May 2022 
