Category: News

Factory International in Manchester presents Free Your Mind, a large-scale immersive performance based on The Matrix films and created for the official opening of Aviva Studios, the city’s new cultural venue. Premièring October 18, it’s a dramatic retelling of the classic 1999 sci-fi film through dance, music and visual effects. Featuring more than 50 professional dancers from… Continue reading Matrix re-imagined for Manchester

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, Ailey 2—the second company of the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater—returns to The Lowry, Salford October 13–14, its first visit since 2011. The company’s young dancers are among the most talented of their generation and the company is renowned for merging spirit and energy with the creative vision… Continue reading Golden return for Ailey 2

Brenda Edwards, who has played Motormouth Maybelle in three tours of Hairspray, will join Paul Kerryson to direct a new production of the show for a national tour in 2024. It will open in Manchester at the Palace on July 16 and tour through to July 2025. Open auditions will be held in November 2023. This… Continue reading November casting for new Hairspray tour

Digital theatre makers imitating the dog and Leeds Playhouse team up again to co-produce a new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic tale Frankenstein, premièring at the Playhouse from February 15 ahead of a UK tour. This new multimedia exploration of the classic novel is a psychological thriller which asks the question: what is it to be… Continue reading Frankenstein gets imitating the dog makeover

A serial killer drama is back in Liverpool, October 10–21, at the Royal Court Studio, after a sell-out run. Presented by Liverpool-based Old Fruit Jar Productions and written by David Byrne and Olivia Hurst, it concerns the case that nearly broke the British police. The Incident Room is at the centre of one of the biggest… Continue reading Serial killer drama back in Liverpool

Cheeky Little Brown is a piece of ‘gig theatre’ written by Nkenna Akunna, directed by Chinonyerem Odimba and produced by British African heritage contemporary theatre company tiata fahodzi alongside partners Bristol Old Vic and Belgrade Theatre. It comes to The Lowry in Salford October 20–21.

Chris Salt’s new play fell, which explores the friendship and challenges between two troubled teenagers growing up in the Lake District, is at the Dukes Playhouse in Lancaster next Thursday October 12. Cumbrian schoolboy Lyle walks out of his life and up into the mountains of the Lake District. On the edge of a mountain lake,… Continue reading Get fell in at Lancaster!

Mono Box’s extensive play and audio monologue libraries are to be donated to Northern Academy of Performing Arts, Powerhouse, Theatre503 and Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust. It’s a unique collection of more than 4,000 play texts and 50 audio recordings of leading actors sharing their theatrical speeches. The library was developed as a way of… Continue reading Box full of theatre treasures

Z-arts’ new season in Manchester promises heaps of magic and fun come rain or shine throughout their September to December 2023 season. Theatre shows, a cabaret, a brand-new musical, classic fairy tales and storytelling to inspire imaginations. Plus, a heart-warming adventure perfect for a first theatre experience for little ones. The Really Fabulous Family Cabaret… Continue reading Z-arts serves up heaps of fun and magic

Staffordshire’s New Vic is to bring back its “most spectacular show ever” to celebrate the 850th anniversary of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s receiving its charter to become a borough. Astley’s Astounding Adventures is the story of Philip Astley. Born in Newcastle-under-Lyme, he became the international impresario who invented circus. The show is “filled with fast-paced action, laugh-out-loud humour, gripping… Continue reading “Spectacular” circus show returns to New Vic