Wicked and War Horse, returning to the region for summer runs, have already been announced as part of The Lowry’s summer season in Salford, but details have now been confirmed of other major attractions to come.
The Lowry continues its partnership with the National Theatre with the multi-award winning The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (December 18 – January 10, 2015) opening its first UK tour at The Lowry this Christmas.
Adapted from Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel by Stockport-born Simon Stephens and directed by Marianne Elliott, who grew up in Manchester and made her name at the city’s Royal Exchange theatre, it is fitting that the production’s first performances outside London will be to north west audiences.
Alongside these two established hits, the NT also bring National Theatre Connections 2014, (May 1-4) giving young actors from Salford the chance to shine as they take to The Lowry’s stage in a showcase of fresh talent.
A Taste of Honey (July 10-14) is also a homegrown drama. Written by Broughton-born playwright Shelagh Delaney and set in Salford, the play stars Manchester–born Shameless star Rebecca Ryan.
As already revealed, The Lowry brings a taste of South Africa to Salford, as the award-winning Cape Town Opera makes its first visit to the region with Show Boat (July 8-12) on a tour of only three UK venues.
Opera North returns to its home in the north west with one of the company’s biggest hits La Bohème (May 14-17). And, with a love story of a different kind, Alan Ayckbourn’s bedroom-farce Things We Do For Love (June 2-7) sees Australian actress Natalie Imbruglia make her stage début in the comic exploration of the complexities of love.
For the early summer, The Lowry brings a re-imagining of Fame – The Musical (May 6-10), and Happy Days – A New Musical (June 23-28) based on the TV series.
Dance this season includes Rites of War (May 13-14), directed by Darshan Singh Bhuller and created with the BBC’s Afghanistan Correspondent David Lyons, exploring the ugly truths and unexpected beauty of living and loving through conflicts.
An undoubted highlight of the autumn season will be the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Henry IV (parts 1 & 2) (October 21-25) directed by Gregory Doran and starring Olivier Award-winning actor Antony Sher.
Birmingham Royal Ballet return with David Bintley’s Beauty and the Beast (September 24-27) and The Lowry’s partner company Rambert brings Christopher Bruce’s Rooster (October 1-3) set to some of the Rolling Stones biggest tunes.
And for the festive season, there’s the spectacle of Slava’s Snow Show (December 9-13).