Your Go-To Theatre Blog For Reviews, News, And Insights On West End Shows,
Regional Theatre, Exhibitions, And Family Days Out.

Murder at Midnight at The Lowry – A Night of Twists, Laughs and Mayhem Performed by Original Theatre, Murder at Midnight  is a darkly comic, cross-genre thriller that blends crime, farce and murder mystery, all set against the ticking clock of New Year’s Eve. Written by Torben Betts and directed by Philip Franks, the play follows on from the success of Murder in the Dark , though it very much stands on its own feet. I went into this performance at The Lowry with very few expe

All Hail the Queens! SIX The Musical in Manchester Takes the Crown From its Fringe Festival origins to becoming a global theatre phenomenon, SIX The Musical has completely redefined what a modern musical can be. Created by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, this pop-powered retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII has conquered the West End, Broadway and touring stages across the UK — and its arrival at the Palace Theatre Manchester is a reminder of just how sharp, slick and exhilara

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE MANCHESTER – A SPLASH-TASTIC FIVE-STAR MUSICAL Few musicals arrive with quite as much love and expectation attached as Singin’ in the Rain. Based on MGM’s iconic 1952 film, the story of Hollywood’s turbulent transition from silent cinema to talking pictures has become a timeless celebration of creativity, resilience, and showbiz sparkle. Staging this classic in the round  at the Royal Exchange feels like a bold and inspired choice. W

SHAUN THE SHEEP’S CIRCUS SHOW AT AVIVA STUDIOS – WOOLLY CHAOS, CIRCUS THRILLS & FAMILY FUN Shaun the Sheep’s Circus Show brings the much-loved Aardman character from screen to stage in a collaboration with Australian contemporary circus company Circa. Originally created in Brisbane, this production now makes its European première in Manchester at Aviva Studios. True to the TV series, the show is completely non-verbal, relying on physical comedy, visual storytelling and music

Simply the Best! Tina: The Tina Turner Musical Rocks the Palace Theatre Manchester Tina: The Tina Turner Musical  arrives at the Palace Theatre Manchester as part of its first UK tour, bringing one of music’s most extraordinary life stories to the stage. Since premiering in London’s West End and on Broadway, the production has earned widespread acclaim for its unflinching storytelling and exhilarating use of Tina Turner’s iconic back catalogue. This is not a glossy jukebox mu

THE SNOWY DAY AT Z-ARTS – A BEAUTIFUL, SENSORY-FRIENDLY SHOW FOR LITTLE ONES The Snowy Day is a brand-new co-production from Polka Theatre and Can’t Sit Still, inspired by the award-winning picture book by Ezra Jack Keats. Specially created for children aged 1–4 years and their grown-ups, this intimate festive production is currently playing at Z-arts in Manchester as part of its family Christmas programme. The Snowy Day at Z-arts is a thoughtful and immersive early years the

UNFORTUNATE AT THE LOWRY: CAMP, CHAOS AND A CHRISTMAS MUST-SEE Some shows settle into a fixed version of themselves — Unfortunate  does the opposite. This is now the third time I’ve seen the show, and impressively, it’s also the third different incarnation of it. Each version has brought changes, refinements and fresh ideas, and this Christmas run of Unfortunate at The Lowry feels like the most assured and accomplished iteration so far. First seen at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2

Raymond Briggs' Father Christmas at Waterside Arts – A Heartwarming Start to Our Christmas We were really excited to start our festive season with Raymond Briggs' Father Christma s at Waterside Arts. Alice (8) and Leo (6) were especially looking forward to it because we saw Pins & Needles’ adaptation of The Bear  here last Christmas and they absolutely loved it. With another Raymond Briggs story on stage and the cosy feel of the Robert Bolt Theatre, it felt like the perfect w

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe – A Spellbinding Night of Magic at The Lowry After falling in love with The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe  at Leeds Playhouse last year, returning to see the production at The Lowry felt like stepping back into something truly special. This beautiful adaptation, directed by Michael Fentiman and originally developed at Leeds Playhouse, has enjoyed a UK tour, a West End run and now continues to captivate audiences with its rich storytelli

Freaky Friday at HOME Manchester – A Joyous, Heart-Filled, Body-Swapping Musical Treat  Freaky Friday  has travelled a long way from Mary Rodgers’ 1972 novel to its various Disney screen adaptations, and this UK premiere marks the story’s latest transformation — now reimagined as a high-energy musical. HOME Manchester hosts this new staging, complete with a contemporary score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey and direction from Andy Fickman. With such an established creative team

A Christmas Carol at the Octagon Theatre Bolton – A Joy-Filled, Modern Twist on a Timeless Classic There are some stories that feel stitched into the fabric of Christmas, and A Christmas Carol  is one of them. Dickens’ tale of Scrooge, ghosts and second chances has become a festive staple, so seeing how each new stage adaptation reinterprets it is always fascinating. At the Octagon Theatre Bolton, this year’s production arrives as a bright, musical and family-friendly take un

The Red Shoes: A Spellbinding Fusion of Dance, Drama and 1940s Glamour There’s always a real sense of anticipation when a Matthew Bourne production arrives in town, and The Red Shoes  is no exception. I’d heard so much about this celebrated adaptation, so I was excited to finally see New Adventures’ take on this iconic story when it arrived at The Lowry on its UK tour. Inspired by the 1948 Powell and Pressburger film and Hans Christian Andersen’s original tale, this productio

Blood Brothers at The Lowry – A Timeless, Heart-Shattering Classic That Still Hits Like the First Time Blood Brothers  is one of those rare musicals that never seems to lose its grip on audiences — and I’m absolutely one of them. Returning to The Lowry for another UK tour, this beloved Willy Russell masterpiece first debuted in 1983 and went on to enjoy an extraordinary 24-year West End run. I’ve seen it several times over the years, and each visit brings back that same mix o

The Talented Mr Ripley at The Lowry – A Sharp, Stylish and Cleverly Unsettling Adaptation The Talented Mr Ripley  has been adapted many times for screen and stage, but Mark Leipacher’s latest version brings Patricia Highsmith’s psychological thriller into a bold and atmospheric theatrical world. This UK tour stop at The Lowry was my first encounter with the story — I hadn’t read the book or seen any previous adaptations — and I was struck by how accessible and engaging this p

Miss Saigon Soars in a Thunderous, Soul-Stirring Reimagining Miss Saigon has a very special place in my heart. I first saw it at the Palace Theatre Manchester on its original UK tour when I was just 18 years old. I didn’t want to go—but by the end of the night, I was completely changed. That performance opened the door to my lifelong love of musicals, plays, and live theatre. Returning to the Palace for this brand new reimagining felt like coming full circle, and I’m delighte

Intergalactic Fun for the Whole Family – The Smeds and The Smoos Soars at The Lowry Having seen The Smeds and The Smoos  live before, my daughter Alice (age 7) and I were excited to return to The Lowry for another intergalactic adventure. This charming story, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, has been a firm favourite in our house for years, and we couldn’t wait to see how the Tall Stories production would bring the colourful alien worlds to life o

Dancing at Lughnasa – A Tender, Timeless Dance Through Memory at The Royal Exchange Theatre Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa  is a masterwork of Irish theatre — a poignant, semi-autobiographical “memory play” that explores family, faith, love, and loss through the hazy recollections of one summer in 1936 Donegal. Now directed by Elizabeth Newman, this production marks a triumphant Manchester debut following its acclaimed run at Sheffield Theatres, where Newman began her new

ENO’s Albert Herring at The Lowry: A Well-Intentioned but Uneven Evening in Loxford English National Opera brought Albert Herring  to The Lowry in Salford as part of its ongoing commitment to performing across the country. Directed and designed by Antony McDonald  and conducted by Daniel Cohen , this production of Benjamin Britten’s 1947 comic opera arrives in the North-West following performances at the London Coliseum. I’ll admit, I went in knowing very little about this pa

Review: Myra’s Story – A Raw, Riveting Reflection on Humanity at The Lowry After sold-out runs across Ireland and Scotland, Myra’s Story  has brought its powerful one-woman performance to The Lowry  in Salford. Written by Derry playwright Brian Foster, the show has been a West End success and an Edinburgh Fringe favourite, resonating deeply with audiences for its unflinching yet compassionate portrayal of homelessness and addiction. At the centre of the production is Fíonna H

Sunny Afternoon The Kinks Musical at the Palace Theatre Manchester – A Bright and Nostalgic Celebration Few bands captured the sound and soul of 1960s Britain quite like The Kinks. With hits such as You Really Got Me , Waterloo Sunset  and Lola , their sharp lyrics and rebellious spirit became the soundtrack to a generation. Written by Joe Penhall and developed alongside The Kinks’ frontman Ray Davies, Sunny Afternoon  brings their story to the stage — from the band’s modest

Young Frankenstein The Musical Brings Electrifying Laughter to Hope Mill Theatre To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre has pulled out all the stops with the regional premiere of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein The Musical . Known for its bold programming and boundary-pushing productions, the theatre’s latest offering is a glorious homage to classic horror, vaudeville comedy, and golden-age musical theatre. Directed and choreographed by Nick Winston,

Snake in the Grass – A Hauntingly Good Night of Twists, Secrets and Supernatural Thrills   Snake in the Grass  slithered its way into the Octagon Theatre Bolton this autumn, just in time for spooky season, bringing with it an intoxicating mix of dark humour, ghostly intrigue, and human frailty. Directed by Francesca Goodridge  and co-produced with Theatr Clwyd , this chilling three-hander grips its audience from the first rustle of leaves to the final, breath-stealing blackou

13 Going On 30 The Musical at Manchester Opera House – A Nostalgic, Feel-Good Hit Full of Sparkle and Heart It’s hard to believe it’s...

BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET's BLACK SABBATH – THE BALLET IS A BOLD FUSION OF METAL AND MOVEMENT Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Black Sabbath -...

The Shawshank Redemption at HOME Manchester – A Powerful Tale of Hope and Humanity It’s not often that a story holds such an enduring...

Death on the Nile at The Lowry: A Glamorous Cruise of Murder and Mystery Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile  has long been one of her...

Oh Boy! Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story Rocks The Lowry Since its debut in 1989, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story  has been delighting...

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL – A Confetti-Filled Whirlwind at the Palace Theatre Manchester TheatreFollowing smash-hit runs on Broadway and...

Here & Now The Steps Musical: A Glittering Night of Pop, Camp & Heart Here & Now – The Steps Musical  brings the iconic hits of Steps to...

Private Lives at the Octagon – When Love and Wit Collide, Sparks Fly Noël Coward’s Private Lives  first premiered in 1930 and has...

🌈 Streamers, Songs & Smiles: CBeebies House Party Live! at The Lowry 🎬 Setting the Scene On Thursday 28th August, we headed to The...

The Diana Mixtape – A Riotous, Glittering Celebration of Princess Diana From the team behind Death Drop  comes something bigger, brasher...

The Addams Family Musical – Creepy, Kooky, and Full of Gothic Fun The Addams Family have been a pop culture favourite for decades,...

By Royal Appointment at The Lowry – A Warm and Witty Tale Sewn with Heart Setting the Scene: A Royal Comedy Begins Daisy Goodwin, best...

🚪 A Squash and a Squeeze at The Lowry – From Bedtime Favourite to Stage Delight! As big fans of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, A...

🐾 PAW Patrol Live: The Great Pirate Adventure – A Paws-Up Family Spectacle at AO Arena Manchester 🏴‍☠️ Ahoy there, pup fans! This...

Quadrophenia: A Mod Ballet at The Lowry – A Five-Star Fusion of Grit, Grace and Greatness In 1973, The Who's Pete Townshend gave us...

Love, Loss and Low Lights – Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell Wows at The Lowry Matthew Bourne is no stranger to reinvention. From Swan...

Step into L.S. Lowry’s world with LOWRY 360 – a stunning free immersive experience at The Lowry in Salford. This short but powerful digital journey brings Going to the Match to life with vibrant visuals, narration by Sophie Willan, and a moving tribute to Northern community spirit.

Come Fall In Love at Manchester Opera House – A Joyous, Colour-Drenched Celebration of Love and Culture As a lifelong fan of romantic...

Pride & Prejudice at Octagon Theatre Bolton – A High-Energy Rom-Com with Regency Flair It’s a truth universally acknowledged that Pride &...

Dear England at The Lowry – A Goal-Scoring Drama For Theatre Fans and Football Skeptics Alike When I heard there was a play about...

👋 Let’s Get Gross (and Brilliant)! Before visiting, we hadn’t watched a single episode of Operation Ouch! —but the exhibition’s title...

The Rocky Horror Show at The Palace Theatre Manchester – A Wild, Wicked, Wonderful Night Out! Every time The Rocky Horror Show  returns...

🎭 Cinderella Ice Cream Seller  – A Sweet and Sparkly Family Musical 🍦💖 🍦 Welcome to the Parlour! We all know the tale of Cinderella...

🎭 A Monster-Sized Treat for Little Theatre Fans! We first saw There’s a Monster in Your Show  in 2024 and loved it, so we were thrilled...

🕵️‍♀️ The Detective Dog A Paw-some Mystery Adventure for Kids! 📖 Background: A Bookish Favourite Comes to Life It’s no secret that...

The Ultimate Bubble Show – A Poppin’ Good Time at Z-arts Manchester! On Saturday 17th May 2025, we took our bubble-loving duo, Alice (7)...

Following the critical acclaim of COAL  and Wasteland , Gary Clarke returns with Detention , the final part of his searing dance theatre...

Heading into A Knight’s Tale: The Musical , I wasn’t sure what to expect. I hadn’t seen the 2001 Columbia Pictures film it’s based on, so...