British Theatre Guide

News, reviews, features and podcast on theatre across the UK

North West

Reviews

Highly delighting: This Time by Ockham's Razor

This Time

Ockham's Razor and Turtle Key Arts

The Lowry, Salford

13 to 15 June 2019

Let Me Help You Up, Spymonkey founder members Petra Massey and Toby Park

Spymonkey Cooped

Spymonkey

Grand Theatre, Blackpool

11 to 14 June 2019

The Exonerated

Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

William Whelton for Hope Mill Theatre

Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester

6 to 16 June 2019

Melissa Lowe and Elizabeth Twells in The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest

Oscar Wilde

Octagon Theatre Bolton

Albert Halls, Bolton

6 to 15 June 2019

The cast in The Book of Mormon Manchester

The Book of Mormon

Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone

Palace Theatre, Manchester

5 June to 24 August 2019

Shalini Peiris (Durga Hobson), Tony Jayawardena (Hari Hobson), Esh Alladi (Ali Mossop)

Hobson's Choice

Harold Brighouse, in a new adaptation by Tanika Gupta

Royal Exchange Theatre

Royal Exchange Theatre

31 May to 6 July 2019

Silent Lines

Russell Maliphant

Russell Maliphant

The Lowry, Salford

29 May 2019

Ian Carlyle as Buddy, Imelda Warren-Green as Miss California, Evie Gibson as Olive with Mean Girls

Little Miss Sunshine—A Road Musical

James Lapine, based on the film by written by Michael Arndt with music and ly...

Arcola Theatre, Selladoor Productions

The Lowry, Salford

28 May to 1 June 2019

Sarah Crowden (T), Eve Matheson (previous Mags), Caroline Harker (Liz) and Susan Penhaligon (Q)

Handbagged

Moira Buffini

Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Wiltshire Creative and York Theatre Royal

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

14 May to 1 June 2019

Kamala Devam and Sooraj Subramaniam

Rite of Spring

Choreography: Seeta Patel; music: Igor Stravinsky

Sarah Shead for Spin Arts

Quays Theatre, The Lowry

13 May 2019

Charlie Clements, Tricia Deighton, Rita Simons, Persephone Swales-Dawson, Joe McFadden

The House on Cold Hill

Peter James adapted by Shaun McKenna

Joshua Andrews, Peter James and The Booking Office

Opera House, Manchester

13 to 18 May 2019

Smack That (a conversation)

Smack That (a conversation)

Rhiannon Faith

Rhiannon Faith

The Lowry, Salford

11 May 2019

Tobias Batley as Jay Gatsby and Martha Leebolt as Daisy Buchanan in The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

David Nixon

Northern Ballet

The Lowry

8 to 11 May 2019

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

William Shakespeare

Northern Broadsides, New Vic Theatre

The Lowry, Salford

7 to 11 May 2019

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

Girl Gang Manchester and Unseemly Women

Hope Mill, Manchester

2 to 11 May 2019

Tom Mothersdale as Richard, John Sackville as Henry

Richard III

William Shakespeare

Headlong, Alexandra Palace and Bristol Old Vic

HOME, Manchester

30 April to 4 May 2019

Annalene Beechey as Anna with the Royal Children in The King and I

The King and I

Music by Richard Rodgers, book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein

Lincoln Center Theater

Opera House, Manchester

26 April to 11 May 2019

Katherine Parkinson (Judy)

Home, I'm Darling

Laura Wade

National Theatre and Theatr Clwyd

The Lowry, Salford

23 to 27 April 2019

Ethan Kai (Alan Strang) and Zubin Varla (Martin Dysart)

Equus

Peter Shaffer

English Touring Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East

The Lowry, Salford

23 to 27 April 2019

Renaissance Men

Renaissance Men

James Patrick and Alexander Knott

Bag of Beard

53two, Manchester

19 to 20 April 2019

Robin Herford and Liz Crowther

Visitors

Barney Norris

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

Oldham Coliseum Theatre

18 April to 4 May 2019

News

'World-beating' cast for Grand summer show

Blackpool Grand Theatre has announced the first cast members for its ‘theatre owned’ production, Around The World in 80s Days.

100 Ways to Tie a Shoelace

100 Ways to Tie a Shoelace in Sale

Forget About The Dog brings 100 Ways to Tie a Shoelace to Waterside, Sale.

A Bay window for Dukes fundraising

The Dukes in Lancaster is swapping the stage for the sands in its latest fundraising venture.

Lucy Ellinson takes on the title role in Macbeth

A Frankcom farewell at the Exchange

The autumn/winter season at Manchester Royal Exchange celebrates departing artistic director Sarah Frankcom’s tenure.

A good knight's work

Sir Ian McKellen’s debut at the Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster last month helped the venue raise more than £23,000.

All The Bens gets new tour

A new touring version of All the Bens by Ian Townsend starts with a preview at Oldham Library.

All boxed up to Binge at HOME

Binge at HOME in Manchester is a collection of one-to-one and intimate drop-in performances from artist Brian Lobel.

Back to the Future

Back To The Future musical opens in Manchester

Back To The Future The Musical will open at Manchester Opera House on February 20.

Batman panto for Liverpool fringe

Liverpool-based theatre company WDG is returning to Liverpool Fringe Festival with a newly written show.

Chris Porter, Georgina Ambrey and Emily Pithon in rehearsal for Little Voice

Big break as Little Voice

Actress Georgina Ambrey makes her professional stage debut as Little Voice in Theatre by the Lake’s production of the The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Stage play writer Rob Fennah with author Helen Forrester

Blue plaque honours Helen Forrester

In celebration of Helen Forrester's100th birthday, a blue plaque is to be erected outside the late author's family home in Hoylake, Wirral.

Boisterous back at Liverpool venue

Liverpool theatre company Boisterous is back at the Royal Court.

Morecambe Winter Gardens

Cash fillip for North West theatres at risk

£90,000 has been given as part of the new Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme.

2019 Edinburgh Fringe programme

Cash for Northern Edfringe participants

Venues North will award a cash prize to a Northern company or artist taking part in the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe

My Fitbit Called Me A Fat Bitch!

Cloud-crossed lovers and a Fitbit

My Fitbit Called Me A Fat Bitch! explores the good, the bad and the ugly of the technological revolution.

Developing young actors in Bolton

Young Octagon, being launched in Bolton, will focus on developing young actors.

Elysium brings Miss Julie to Manchester

Elysium Theatre Company returns to Manchester with its production of Strindberg’s Miss Julie.

Entertainer tour sees new cast members

New casting has been announced for the tour of John Osborne’s The Entertainer.

From The Heart of Everton's Badge to the Grand Old Lady

Everton play is back at the Epstein

From The Heart of Everton’s Badge to the Grand Old Lady is returning to The Epstein Theatre.

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Everybody's Talking About next year

Award-winning new musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie comes to The Lowry next year.

Nigel Slater's Toast

Everyman's everything for everybody

A busy autumn winter 2019/20 season at Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse.

Get in Swim to deal with grief

Swim is an account of one woman’s journey through grief, and how she turns to open water swimming to help her cope.

The Yank is A Manc! My Ancestors and Me

Great Manchester Fringe gears up

Greater Manchester Fringe is back in July.

Gypsy Queen to return to Manchester

After a sell-out 2019 spring tour, Gypsy Queen returns to Manchester.

HOME gets dressed.

This Egg’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe-First winner dressed. calls into HOME in Manchester.

The Haunting of Blaine Manor

Haunting of Blaine Manor to tour

Following a sell-out tour last year, including a house attendance record breaking run at Buxton Fringe, award-winning play The Haunting of Blaine Manor is to begin a 2019 theatre tour, taking in some of the most beautiful—and haunted—theatres in England.

Headmaster goes top of the class

A primary school headteacher has scooped a prestigious £10,000 playwriting prize for his comic tale of a disastrous school Ofsted inspection.

Wrestling the Walrus

Hodgkiss Award winners to tour

The Hodgkiss Award was designed to find and support new theatre made by an artist or company from the North of England.

Frozen Peas In An Old Tin Can

Homelessness play heads outdoors

Frozen Peas In An Old Tin Can is all about homelessness in Manchester and Salford.

Incoming Festival 2019

Incoming at HOME again

After its debut Manchester appearance at HOME last year, the annual Incoming Festival returns June 24–30.

Jude settles in at HOME

HOME in Manchester has appointed Jude Christian to the new role of associate director.

Jnr JB Shorts 2

Junior take on JB Shorts

Jnr JB Shorts, as its name suggests, is a spin-off from the popular JB Shorts performed in Manchester for more than 10 years.

BGT semi-finalist Rob King and Martyn Hett

King-sized tribute to Martyn Hett

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Rob King will perform in a stage play about his close friend Martyn Hett, who lost his life in the Manchester Arena bombing.

Libby's second play—at age 17

Libby Hall, winner of several best newcomer awards, has written her second play, at 17.

Lost Soul sequel for Royal Court

A sequel makes its debut at the Royal Court in Liverpool this summer: Lost Soul 2—Smigger’s Wrecked Head.

Louise Redknapp as Violet Newstead

Louise Redknapp works 9 to 5 The Musical

Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 The Musical will star Louise Redknapp as Violet Newstead when the show plays the Palace Theatre Manchester.

Old Tools > New Masters ≠ New Futures

Making Contact with public culture

Contact Young Company and Young Identity are joining forces with Manchester Art Gallery.

Little One & Eye Spy

Mental health under theatrical spotlight

TBL Productions is a creative collective of four drama graduates, based in Manchester.

The Hired Man, coming to Oldham Coliseum

NW Productions

Round-up of regional performances starting week beginning Sunday June 16.

Grand Finale from Hofesh Shechter at HOME

NW Productions

Round-up of regional productions opening week beginning Sunday May 19.

Queue for tickets for Book of Mormon at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

NW Productions

Round-up of regional productions opening week beginning Sunday June 2.

Matthew Bourne's Romeo and Juliet rehearsal image

NW Productions

Round-up of regional productions opening week beginning Sunday June 9.

Eric Potts, Patrick Driver, Devesh Kishore, Dominic Gately and Luke Murphy in The Ladykillers at Theatre by the Lake

NW Productions

Round-up of regional productions opening week beginning Sunday May 26.

Jerry Springer cast

Northern talent in Jerry Springer show

A cast of Northern-based talent bring Jerry Springer—The Opera to Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre for four weeks from August 8 to 31.

Octagon's 'on tour' autumn season

Bolton Octagon’s season of theatre ‘out and about’ continues this autumn as construction of their town centre building continues.

Four Minutes Twelve Seconds

Oldham Coliseum lays out new season

Oldham Coliseum Theatre sees classic comedies from three of Britain’s most prolific writers combine with new dramas in its forthcoming autumn and winter season.

Lauryn Redding & Oliver Hembrough in The Hired Man

Oldham dates for Hired Man revival

Oldham Coliseum is to stage The Hired Man.

Opening envelope on play with a difference

Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour's work requires no rehearsals and no preparation—just a sealed envelope and a different actor each night.

Our Kid is on the Fringe

Northern Knights Productions presents Our Kid as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe.

Peppa Pig on new national tour

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever takes on an extensive 2019–2020 tour.

Personalities and partners for HOME season

Manchester’s HOME 2019/2020 theatre programme features artists including Bryony Kimmings, Emma Rice, Lemn Sissay and Jackie Kay and partnerships with the Royal Court, National Theatre Scotland, Forced Entertainment and 1927.

A Quick Guide to Ruining Your Life

Quick Guide to Ruining Your Life in Salford

An award-winning writer and director join forces with a local actor-producer to offer a new piece of live performance.

Radio Local coming your way

Live art collaboration Hunt & Darton will travel the country with Radio Local.

Rip It Up The 70s: Melody Thorton, Louis Smith, Rachel Stevens

Ripping it up in Manchester

Rip It Up The 70s will tour the UK with a new cast, landing at Manchester’s Opera House on October 17.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet around the parks

Imaginarium Theatre will be performing Romeo and Juliet around Merseyside's parks and gardens this summer.

Refurbished New Mills Art Theatre

Royal appointment to new-look Art Theatre

The Art Theatre in New Mills, High Peak has had a £46,000 refurbishment.

The Cast of Saturday Night Fever UK tour

Saturday nights are spoken for

Richard Winsor will be leading the autumn 2019 tour of Bill Kenwright’s production of Saturday Night Fever.

Drowning in Silence

Sisters Drowning In Silence

A play about grief and loss through the eyes of two sisters Michelle and Jane comes to Salford Arts Theatre.

Kelvin Fletcher

Soap star's Aladdin panto

Kelvin Fletcher will be playing the title role in a panto production of Aladdin.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Sonnets given a Fringe treatment

Shakespeare's Sonnets are given a dramatic makeover, as part of Greater Manchester Fringe.

Spymonkey's Cooped

Spymonkey Cooped up in Liverpool

Comedy ensemble Spymonkey returns to Liverpool with Cooped.

Club Tropicana The Musical

Star line-up for Club Tropicana musical

Joe McElderry, Neil McDermott, Kate Robbins, Emily Tierney and Amelle Berrabah star in the world première of new '80s musical Club Tropicana.

Strictly's Ore joins Curtains

Tony award-winning musical Curtains now adds Strictly Come Dancing’s Ore Oduba in the Manchester run.

Susan Boyle back on tour

Following her return to the Britain’s Got Talent stage, Susan Boyle is heading back out on tour.

$Refract: 19$

Ten days of Refract: 19 Festival

There are ten days of experiential performance, music and events at Refract: 19 at Sale’s Waterside Arts Centre.

The teenage angst of Yvette

Writer and performer Urielle Klein-Mekongois brings her autobiographical show Yvette to Manchester Royal Exchange Studio.

Cinderella at the Epstein

They shall go to the Ball

The first names have been confirmed for a debut panto production at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre.

Kwame Kwei-Armah, director of Tree

Tree takes root in city festival

Tree will receive its world première this July at Manchester International Festival, before transferring to London.

Miles Yekinni (Jim Brown), Matt Henry (Sam Cooke), Conor Glean (Cassius Clay) and Christopher Colquhoun (Malcolm X)

When legends meet up in Miami

One Night in Miami... focuses on four friends, all on the cusp of becoming legends.

Wirral Festival of Firsts

Wirral Festival of Firsts

Wirral Festival of Firsts is hosting 10 days of exhibitions, performances and live music events.

Discounted tickets for 'creatives'

£5 tickets for Liverpool creatives

Liverpool’s Unity Theatre launches a £5 ticket scheme for creatives.

Features

Company Chameleon

Company Chameleon shares latest work The Shadow in new Openshaw home

Contemporary dance company Company Chameleon shares its latest work in progress, The Shadow, at its new home in Openshaw—Georgina Wells went along.

Julie Hesmondhalgh and Norah Lopez Holden in The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Review of the Year 2018 - The North West Stage

David Chadderton looks back on his 2018 in North West theatre.