World class Manchester theatre to look forward to in 2025

Manchester is the place to be this year, in terms of theatre and the arts as there is so much variety to enjoy.

So whether you are into poetry, intimate productions, a marriage between Shakespeare and Radiohead, or a look behind the scenes of the hit film Jaws,  not to mention a fascinating festival of new short theatre – where you can vote for the winner which then returns as a full-length production. There really is something for everyone.

So let’s take a look at what you can look forward to in this beautiful city.

Manchester Theatre 2025

A Pineapple at 53two

Fancy a dystopian world premiere? Then head to Deansgate to 53two to see Olivia Mace’s stark and funny exploration of the effects of global warming. Survivors are placed in pods to match their wealth and live in isolation to await gradual extinction. This one promises to be The Hunger Games meets the Traitors and therefore, a must see.

A Pineapple runs at 53two from 23^rd April to 5^th May and it also tours to the Laurence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield and the Dukes Lancaster.  Keep your eye on the 53two website for further details.

Abigail’s Party at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Mike Leigh’s classic returns to the region but there is a twist, as this one is in the round. This means there will be no hiding place, as you cringe at the awkward behaviour of party host Beverley, as she snares her guests with the music of Demis Roussos and her flirtatious and cruel behaviour, fuelled by G&T’s and cheese and pineapple cocktail snacks.

You are invited to Abigail’s Party is a the Royal Exchange Theatre from 4^th April until 17^th May and can be booked here

Glorious! at the Hope Mill Theatre

If you have seen the film Florence Foster Jenkins starring Meryl Streep, you may know the true story behind this one. Wendi Peters plays the 1940s New York socialite who dreams of becoming a huge opera star. The problem is she cannot sing for toffee. But because of her wealth and the love of her husband and admirers like Enrico Caruso and Cole Porter, she performs at Carnegie Hall. I saw Maureen Lipman play Florence in the West End and it was a brilliant production. And this looks like another winner for the Hope Mill Theatre.

Glorious! Is at the Hope Mill Theatre from 27^th February – 30^th March and can be booked here

Offcut Theatre Festival at 53two

This Summer, escape from the heat or the rain with a theatre festival unlike no other. You will witness a night of short plays and you vote for your favourites. There is then a final and the winning play is then transformed into a longer piece which is staged at a later date. This is X Factor without the sob stories, and you do witness some winning plays and great new writing. The atmosphere is electric, and it is wonderful to see so many people willing on the performers in this unique celebration of the power of new theatre.

Offcut takes place in July and August and details will be posted on the 53two website here

Mary Poppins at the Palace Theatre

If you have seen any footage of the cast doing a Lionel Ritchie and almost dancing on the ceiling, then you will realise that this beloved classic has been reshaped for the stage, yet it still retains the magic that fans of the film will be expecting. This show is practically perfect in every way.

Mary Poppins flies into the Palace Theatre from 9^th April from 17^th May and can be booked here

The Shark is Broken at the Lowry

When you swim in the sea, do you hear the iconic John Williams music that heralded the arrival of the shark in the hit Steven Spielberg that gave birth to the popcorn film, Jaws? If you are a fan of the interplay between Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw, as they navigate the fact that Bruce the mechanical shark is indeed, broken – then you are in for a choppy ride filled with tension and comedy.

The Shark is Broken is at the Lowry from 4^th – 8^th February and can be booked here

Luke Wright: JOY at the Edge, Chorlton

Luke Wright is a wonderful wordsmith and he explores middle age in his new show JOY, through the art of poetry.  He covers consumerism, boozing, cancer scares, abseiling vicars, and the joy of language itself. And Luke’s take on this is we might have to go down to come up, but we’ll get there in the end.

You can catch Luke Wright’s JOY at the Edge in Chorlton on 14^th February and tickets are available here

Hamlet Hail to the Thief at Aviva Studios

Hamlet Hail to the Thief centres on Hamlet and Ophelia’s awakening to the lies and corruption revealed by ghosts and music. You might be thinking another Shakespeare production reimagined, so what else is new? But add Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Frantic Assembly’s founder member Steven Hoggett to the mix, and this has the potential to change your mind through the fusion of theatre, movement and music.

Hamlet Hail to the Thief is at Aviva Studios from 27^th April – 18^th May and can be booked here

This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys) by Reece Williams at HOME

We loved this immediate and truthful show from poet and musician Reece Williams. Set in Moss Side, it subverts the stereotypes of the Daily Mail and others and in terms of representation, it is a celebration of community. Filled with hope and humour, this play is for anyone who loves the way this city remains determined and resilient in the face of cynicism and our diet of bad news.

This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys) by Reece Williams is at HOME from 18 – 22^nd February and can be booked here

Dear England at the Lowry

An exploration of how football came home from the writer of Sherwood, James Graham. It’s time to change the game and take a peak behind the mindset of players, who are used to their every move being described and analysed in micro detail by pundits and fans alike.

Sit back and watch England football manager Gareth Southgate as he opens his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

Not just one for football fans, this is a gripping and funny and poignant play which is an absorbing look beyond the mechanics of the Beautiful Game.

Dear England is at The Lowry from 29^th May until 29^th June and can be booked here

Rotten at Waterside Theatre, Sale

If you fancy seeing something new by an emerging playwright and chase away the January blues, then head to Sale at the Waterside Theatre.

This one has an intriguing premise which pays tribute to the classic tropes of the thriller genre with some new contemporary twists. Three young, regional actresses are struggling to survive in the big smoke, that is London. Every night, through their grotty living room window, the antiheroes have a front row seat to observe the life of Instagram ‘celebrity’ Iris Montague-Willis. Who needs Netflix anymore?

Rotten is at the Waterside Theatre, Sale on 18^th January and can be booked here

Blithe Spirit at the Hope Mill Theatre

Her Productions are a local independent theatre company who produce new work, as well as mix up come classics and present them through a new and exciting lens. Their next piece is the Noel Coward farce, which presents some ghostly goings on, an eccentric medium and Coward’s trademark waspish wit. Blithe Spirit was first staged at the Manchester Opera House in 1941. So it will be great to see this new take on an old classic. And with the brilliant Karen Henthorn in the driving seat as the wacky Madame Arcati, you can expect a production that makes you believe.

Blithe Spirit is at the Hope Mill Theatre from 12^th – 22^nd February and can be booked here

Kinky Boots at the Palace Theatre

Previous productions of this hit show have been bloody brilliant and it began life as a small British film, adapted into a stage hit with songs by Cyndi Lauper. Listen to Not My Father’s Son on Spotify by Pose star Billy Porter and weep. Add Strictly
Come Dancing’s Johannes Radebe in the lead role as Lola the drag queen, seeking some sturdy Kick ass boots and this one looks like a ten from Glenn.

Kinky Boots is at the Palace Theatre from 4th – 8th February and can be booked here

With such a rich and diverse lineup of productions, festivals, and performances, Manchester’s theatre scene in 2025 offers something for everyone, from timeless classics to bold new works. Whether you’re a seasoned theatre lover or just dipping your toes into the arts, this city promises unforgettable experiences that will leave you inspired, entertained, and coming back for more.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic—start planning your Manchester theatre adventure today!