REVIEW - MALORY TOWERS | HOME MANCHESTER | 06/06/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- 2 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Malory Towers at HOME Manchester – A Heartwarming Family Theatre Adventure
From the beloved novels by Enid Blyton, Malory Towers arrives at HOME Manchester in a new touring production adapted and directed by Emma Rice. Co-produced by Emma Rice Company, Alexandra Palace Theatre, Belgrade Theatre, HOME Manchester and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, the production combines live music, inventive staging and plenty of theatrical creativity to bring the famous boarding school stories to life on stage.
I’d never actually read the Malory Towers books before seeing this production, so I went in not really knowing what to expect. Other than being vaguely aware they were classic boarding school stories, the world and characters were completely new to me.
I took my eight-year-old daughter with me and she was completely captivated throughout, laughing along at the schoolgirl chaos and fully engrossed in the story from start to finish.
Malory Towers follows Darrell Rivers as she leaves home for the first time to begin life at the famous boarding school perched on the Cornish coast. Alongside her classmates she experiences friendship drama, midnight feasts, rivalries, homesickness and the many ups and downs that come with growing up.
What makes the production so enjoyable is how comforting and uplifting the storytelling feels throughout. Rather than relying on huge spectacle or dramatic twists, the show focuses on the friendships between the girls and the sense of community within the school, which is exactly what gives the production so much charm.
Each character brings something different to the story, from the shy and nervous Mary-Lou to the mischievous Alicia and the strong-willed Darrell. Their friendships and fallouts feel believable enough that the audience quickly becomes invested in their adventures.
The production balances comedy and emotion beautifully throughout. The audience were laughing one minute at the chaos of dormitory life and Alicia’s constant jokes, before suddenly becoming completely invested in some genuinely touching moments between the girls. You really do start to care about these friendships by the end of the show.
Despite having no previous connection to the books myself, it was easy to understand why these stories have remained so loved for generations. There’s something incredibly wholesome about the world of Malory Towers, creating a lovely sense of escapism for audiences of all ages.
The staging throughout is incredibly imaginative, using a relatively simple but highly effective set design to transport the audience between dormitories, classrooms, cliff tops and the Cornish coastline through clever movement, projections and props.
The large school backdrop with its huge arched windows instantly creates that classic boarding school atmosphere before the show even begins. Throughout the production, projections transform the set into different locations whilst helping scenes transition smoothly and keeping the storytelling flowing at a lovely pace.
One of my favourite moments involved the girls’ first trip to the sea, with puppetry being used to create the illusion of them jumping into the water. It was such a simple but effective piece of staging and got one of the biggest laughs of the evening.
My daughter absolutely loved these moments, particularly the playful scenes involving the puppetry and schoolgirl chaos, and there was plenty of laughter from younger audience members throughout whenever the production leaned into its funnier side.
Lighting is also used particularly well throughout the production. Warm lighting gives the dormitory scenes a cosy and comforting feel, while cooler blue tones during the storm sequences help create genuine atmosphere and tension without needing overly complicated staging.
The costume design perfectly captures the 1940s setting. The maroon school uniforms instantly give the production its recognisable boarding school identity, whilst smaller costume details and nightwear help reflect each character’s individual personality.
The music also adds so much energy and warmth to the production. While not a full-scale musical, songs are woven throughout the story and help maintain the uplifting atmosphere. The cast themselves play instruments live on stage too, which always adds an extra layer of excitement and talent to a production.
The 1940s-inspired musical style works beautifully with the setting, with plenty of swing influences, harmonies and upbeat songs helping to create a fun, feel-good atmosphere. Some musical moments are more memorable than others, but the live musicianship and energy from the cast ensure the music remains enjoyable throughout.
Combined with the costumes, lighting and projections, the whole production feels lively, playful and full of personality.
The cast are fantastic throughout and completely commit to bringing the world of Malory Towers to life.
Robyn Sinclair gives a wonderfully engaging performance as Darrell Rivers, perfectly balancing the character’s determination and quick temper with her more vulnerable moments. She makes Darrell instantly likeable and easy to root for.
Eden Barrie is particularly endearing as the shy Mary-Lou Atkinson, creating one of the most touching character journeys within the production as Mary-Lou slowly begins to gain confidence in herself.
Molly Cheesley brings huge amounts of humour and energy to Alicia Johns, while Bethany Wooding’s Sally Hope balances bossiness with genuine warmth and care for the other girls. Stephanie Hockley also impresses greatly as Irene Dupont, delivering some beautiful musical moments throughout the evening.
Zoe West brings plenty of charm to horse-loving Bill Robinson, while Rebecca Collingwood’s Gwendoline Lacey provides many of the production’s funniest and most frustrating moments in equal measure.
The chemistry between the cast is what really makes the show work though. The friendships feel genuine enough that the audience quickly becomes emotionally invested in every argument, prank and reconciliation.
It’s also impossible not to admire the sheer talent of the performers, many of whom are acting, singing and playing instruments live throughout the show.
Malory Towers at HOME Manchester is funny, uplifting and full of heart.
Even as someone with no previous connection to the books, I found myself completely swept up in its world of friendship, schoolgirl chaos and boarding school adventures. It’s the kind of production that leaves you smiling all the way home.
The imaginative staging, talented cast and uplifting atmosphere make this a genuinely lovely family theatre experience, and judging by my daughter’s reaction, it’s exactly the sort of show that can help spark a love of theatre in younger audiences too.
It’s the sort of show that reminds you family theatre doesn’t need huge spectacle to feel magical.
Packed with friendship, fun and plenty of boarding school chaos, Malory Towers earns top marks as a wonderfully uplifting family theatre experience.
Malory Towers will be at HOME Manchester until Saturday, 13th June 2026. Tickets are available for purchase through the link provided below.
For more information about the show, please click the button below to visit the official website.
Photo Credit - Steve Tanner
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