Alan Partridge will visit Manchester’s AO Arena next year as part of a new tour across the UK and Ireland.
Steve Coogan will be bringing his longstanding comic creation to 14 stages over the course of 2022 – beginning in Belfast and finishing at the O2 Arena in London.
Partridge – the blundering TV presenter and radio host who has been committing high-profile social faux pas since 1991 – recently made a return to television screens in 2020 with This Time – a chatshow currently running on BBC.
The forthcoming stand-up tour – titled Strategem – will commence next April, and sees Partridge attempting to unite a country which now resembles a “scissored isle”.
— British Comedy Guide (@BritishComedy) May 26, 2021
In the promotional video, the presenter states: “Whether you’re a pro-European who’s had the [COVID] jab, or a Brexiteer who doesn’t believe in vaccines, I want to build a bridge.”
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Partridge emphasises that despite our differences, there are some things that everyone in the country can get on board with, including a hatred of “speed bumps” or “anything changing”.
Strategem is described as a show “devised, written, choreographed, performed and funded by Alan Partridge” with the character “not just treading the boards but pounding them, atop stages graced by such luminaries as Michael Ball, Jack Whitehall and Welsh rockers the Stereophonics.”
The biggest theatre shows coming to Manchester in 2026
Danny Jones
The last 12 months were great for the arts in our city, and we have every faith that 2026 will be just a good if not better, especially when you look at some of the theatre shows coming to Manchester city centre this year.
From all-time favourites to never-before-seen in our region, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into this year as countless talents get ready to tread the Northern boards.
Let’s not waste any more time, shall we?
10 big theatre productions coming to Manchester | 2026
1. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
We’re going to start off with one that started over the Christmas period and a timeless tale by C.S. Lewis. That’s right, in case you hadn’t heard already, the most famous book in The Chronicles of Narnia has been remagined for the theatre and is as stunning as it sounds.
Currently on at The Lowry in Salford Quays until 11 January, you can see the much-loved winter fairyland fantasy brought to life like never before. Find out what we made of right here.
Childhood memories brought to life like never before. 🤩
In a rather fitting take on one of the most iconic moments in music history, the stage adaptation of the real experiences behind Live Aid and the performances that made it such a legendary event is still helping people relive the time and raise money for charity.
Helping mark the 40th anniversary since July 1985, when the world united in song, it’s also worth noting that 10% of the sale of all tickets will be donated directly to the ongoing Band Aid Charitable Trust. Read more down below.
Oh yes, another beloved bit of 1980s pop culture; those who’ve seen the throwback kung-fu classic will know how perfect this family-friendly film will know just how well this story will suit the stage, and anyone who hasn’t is in for a real treat…
The well-choreographed, kinetic, fight-based romp already had plenty of rhythm, so we can’t wait to see how it translates with a full-blown soundtrack. Find out more and get ready to grab your tickets HERE.
4. CATS
From one legendary franchise to another, the one and only CATS will also be returning to Manchester city centre in the summer, landing at our very own Palace Theatre.
This one needs no introduction, really; with an open-air residency at none other than London’s Regent Park, it really is in a world of its own. You can see dates, times and ticket options right HERE.
Credit: Press shot (supplied)
5. Dirty Dancing
Sticking with the 80s nostalgia, another firm favourite and major Hollywood movie was Dirty Dancing. From the timeless theme song, ‘(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life’, to the late Patrick Swayze’s smooth movies and lines like “Nobody puts ‘Baby’ in a corner”, you already know all the beats.
That being said, the musical version has gone on to find a passionate, multi-generational fandom of its own. Also coming to the Palace – you find all the details below.
We’re very lucky here in Manchester to be treated to some of the biggest theatrical IPs on the planet, and the smash-hit West End production of the 1977 Broadway staple Annie might just be one of the quintessential examples.
A timeless ‘dramedy’ about an orphan being taken in by a rich family, most people know the plot and, indeed, the songs even if they don’t realise what it’s from. Grab your tickets now.
Oh hell yes. Following the year that WAS Oasis, their reunion hasn’t just sparked Britpop making a comeback in general, but even the return of 90s fashion and the aesthetic as a whole.
With that in mind, when we heard about a brand new play about the rivalry between the Burnage brothers and the Blur boys from down south, it was always going to be on our radar. Find out all the info down below.
Speaking of throwbacks, how about some more noughties nostalgia? The musical version of cult favourite US teen comedy, Mean Girls, is finally coming to Manc audiences.
Making its Northern debut in February 2026 at the recently refreshed Manchester Opera House, we can expect this one to go down well with multiple generations. You can book your seats HERE.
Now true theatregoers and/or bookworms will know how much of a cult following this novel turned play has, and even if you’ve never heard of it before, it’s well worth crossing off your list.
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A mix of whodunnit tropes and the familiar coming-of-age synopsis, we’d say you can guess plenty of what’s to come, but we assure you there’s plenty of surprises in store…
And for a slightly more ‘adult’ finish to proceedings, those after something a bit more cheeky can book themselves on to see the first-ever Manchester edition of ‘The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody‘.
Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like: a somewhat naughty and comedic spin on Star Wars, involving the sexier side of the force, if you will. Award-winning and also promising plenty of laughs, it’s turning Depot Mayfield into a sexy space theatre from late spring until August. Look below to find out more.
The award-winning '@empirestrips Back', a #StarWars burlesque parody show, is coming to Manchester. 😅
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Fast, funny, feisty and by all accounts, fantastic.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at Depot Mayfield in the New Year – next spring, specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
The Manc leg is scheduled to kick off on 6 March and last until 8 May, 2026, with various dates and times of day available.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
The Manc -
27th May 2021 
