DRAMA PLAYS IN MANCHESTER
DRAMA PLAYS IN MANCHESTER
Most Popular Drama Plays in Manchester
TINA - The Tina Turner Musical
Palace Theatre
Tue 25 Nov 2025 - Sat 3 Jan 2026
New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester
RNCM
Sat 4 - Fri 10 Oct 2025
The Gentleman of Shalott
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Tuesday 3 - Wednesday 4 June 2025
The Gentleman of Shalott is a queer adaptation of Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott, influenced by Theatre of the Absurd, exploring isolation; social media-induced anxiety; neurodiversity and our unwillingness to confront the climate cris...The Play's The Thing: A One Person Hamlet
Lowry, Salford
Wednesday 4 June 2025
'Mark Lockyer has absolute commitment and mastery of this timeless classic' Rufus Norris. Artistic Director, Royal National Theatre With all the characters played by one actor, stunningly simple staging, and all the language we love, we ...Cock
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Wednesday 4 - Saturday 7 June 2025
Following its Northern premiere in 2024, COCK by Mike Bartlett and Directed by Rupert Hill returns as part of a large 2025 tour. The play centres on John, a man who finds himself torn between his long-term boyfriend and a woman he unexpe...Pride & Prejudice
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Thursday 5 - Saturday 28 June 2025
Jane Austen's most iconic love story is brought dazzlingly to life on stage When it comes to the subject of marriage, headstrong Lizzy Bennet is determined to resist the mounting pressures and expectations from society. But can she resist l...Ockham's Razor - Tess
HOME, Manchester
Thursday 5 - Saturday 7 June 2025
A groundbreaking adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney of Ockham's Razor, a contemporary circus company who combine circus and visual theatre to make work that is arresting...Unseemly Women - Macbeth
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Thursday 5 - Saturday 7 June 2025
Manchester-based feminist theatre collective Unseemly Women go red and bring you the power of Shakespeare's Macbeth, adapted by Hannah Ellis Ryan for HER Productions. Something wicked this way comes... Scotland is at war with Norway. Whil...Sorry (I Broke Your Arm and Legs)
Lowry, Salford
Thursday 5 June 2025
A riotous debut PowerPoint presentation from James Akka (Thanks A Lot, Milton Jones!), combining all the thrills of World Book Day with the hilarity of the Maths Olympiad. Sam's obviously the correct choice for Head Boy. He's got the Powe...Terminal 2
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Friday 6 - Saturday 7 June 2025
With their plane delayed due to a power cut, George and Lynda Sumner debate the meaning of life, the common bluebottle, sex tapes and the pros and cons of WH Smith... but it soon becomes clear that Lynda's journey is one way and that George...Local
Lowry, Salford
Friday 6 June 2025
A show about home, belonging or not, and letting go. 'Local' is a solo show where storyteller Liz Richardson revisits her childhood memories and home in West Cumbria in an attempt to understand whether she still belongs there, or ever did. ...Altrincham Garrick Play Reading Club
Altrincham Garrick, Altrincham
Friday 6 June - Friday 5 December 2025
If you like theatre... no, if you love theatre, drama, comedy, musical theatre, play reading, poetry and much more and would relish the opportunity to meet new people, then the new 'Altrincham Garrick Play Reading Club' is for you. Here is ...Translations
Altrincham Garrick, Altrincham
Tuesday 10 - Sunday 15 June 2025
Brian Friel's modern masterpiece examines the fractious relationship between people and nations through the lens of language and (mis)communication. It's August 1833. The pupils have gathered in a hedge-school in the townland of Baile B...Lil.Miss.Lady
Lowry, Salford
Friday 13 - Saturday 14 June 2025
Part rave, part drama - LIL. MISS. LADY (Lady Lykez) from HighRise Entertainment explores the history of Grime through the eyes of a vigorous female MC. From the early stages of Jungle, ravers will take an immersive journey through the soun...A Concord of Sweet Sounds
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Friday 13 June 2025
An evening of magnificent music inspired by the words of Shakespeare. 'Atticus Arts' has put together a wonderful show of Classical Music and theatre from renowned composers including Beach, Dring, Gounod, Purcell and Quilter exploring stor...Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Friday 13 June 2025
Following his performance of Jarman, Mark Farrelly's hugely acclaimed solo play depicts Quentin Crisp at two phases of his extraordinary life: alone in his Chelsea flat in the 1960s, certain that life has passed him by, and thirty years ...Rum
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Saturday 14 June 2025
Written & Performed by Joe Mallalieu, RUM is a darkly humorous and powerful new award-winning play that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction in the trade. Meet Danny, plastering since he was a kid, he's not scared of...
180° Chord
Contact, Manchester
Saturday 14 June 2025
A new play written and directed by Chris Leicester. You're the pride of the police force. You're ruthless and unethical. Then fate intervenes. One moment you're a detective sergeant and the next, a convicted murderer. Now you're in the very...Plays For The People
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Tuesday 17 June 2025
Join acclaimed theatre maker Andy Smith and award-winning applied arts practitioner Lynsey O'Sullivan for a day of play, discussion, and action. This day will see three performances of plays from the ongoing project Plays for the People: ...Unseemly Women - Macbeth
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Wednesday 18 - Sunday 29 June 2025
Manchester-based feminist theatre collective Unseemly Women go red and bring you the power of Shakespeare's Macbeth, adapted by Hannah Ellis Ryan for HER Productions. Something wicked this way comes... Scotland is at war with Norway. Whil...Shellshocked
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Wednesday 18 June 2025
From the creative team behind the five-star, multi-award-winning Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me and LASH, comes a thrilling new drama. The horrors of World War Two have broken young Wesley, but could the madness he encounters beyond it save or ...Shellshocked
Waterside, Manchester
Friday 20 June 2025
From the creative team behind the five-star, multi-award-winning Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me and LASH, comes a thrilling new drama. The horrors of World War Two have broken young Wesley, but could the madness he encounters beyond it save or ...Two Steps Back
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Wednesday 25 June 2025
From the writer and performer of 'No Coward Soul', this new play by Emily Parr explores the struggle to adjust to student life when homesickness hits hard. She was not of an ice-breaking, team-playing, shot-drinking disposition. Hiding in h...Liberation
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Friday 27 June - Saturday 26 July 2025
How does a revolution begin and who keeps it going? Inspired by true events in Black British history, LIBERATION is a powerful new play from writer Ntombizodwa Nyoni and director Monique Touko tracing the private lives of activists who foug...Living the Life of Riley
The Albert Halls, Bolton
Wednesday 2 July 2025
Starring Vicky Entwistle, Living the Life of Riley is a heart-warming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale of a family, trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma. Joanne Riley always knew there was something...The Whirligig of Time
Waterside, Manchester
Sunday 13 July 2025
From the team that brought you the five-star Shakespeare's Fool, Tortive return with another spectacular one-man hit show. To hell with anger management! Malvolio was done notorious wrong; so much so that he swore to be revenged on the 'who...Jet Set Go!
Altrincham Garrick, Altrincham
Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 July 2025
Jet Set Go! is a high-flying British musical comedy from Jake Brunger and Pippa Cleary, the writers of 'The Great British Bake Off Musical' and 'The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 3/4 The Musical'. Join Nicola and her fun-loving tran...Living the Life of Riley
Blackburn Empire Theatre, Blackburn
Wednesday 16 July 2025
Starring Vicky Entwistle, Living the Life of Riley is a heart-warming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale of a family, trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma. Joanne Riley always knew there was something...Daddy's First Gay Date
Waterside, Manchester
Thursday 17 - Friday 18 July 2025
Is it selfish to leave someone you might love in order to find yourself? An uncomfortable restaurant break-up becomes a pressure-cooker first date in this brand-new comedy written by Sam Danson (BI-TOPIA) and Directed by the award-winning ...Cock
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Thursday 17 - Saturday 19 July 2025
Following its Northern premiere in 2024, COCK by Mike Bartlett and Directed by Rupert Hill returns as part of a large 2025 tour. The play centres on John, a man who finds himself torn between his long-term boyfriend and a woman he unexpe...Living the Life of Riley
St Helens Theatre Royal, St Helens
Wednesday 23 July 2025
Starring Vicky Entwistle, Living the Life of Riley is a heart-warming, heart-breaking and hilarious tale of a family, trying to negotiate their way through teenage tantrums, autism, and Grandma. Joanne Riley always knew there was something...Raves R Us
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Friday 25 - Saturday 26 July 2025
The most original night of immersive theatre you've ever been a part of! Naughty Corner Productions are a multi-award-winning theatre company from Liverpool, and they are bringing their biggest hit back to the stage. Toys R Us has closed do...
Bouncers
The Albert Halls, Bolton
Saturday 26 July 2025
Trio Entertainment Ltd present a new production of John Godber's legendary comedy classic starring Warren Donnelly (Shameless), Steven Arnold (Coronation Street), Darren Jefferies (Hollyoaks, Brassic), and theatre legend Rob Stuart-Hudson....The Last Laugh
Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Tuesday 29 July - Saturday 2 August 2025
Direct from a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Last Laugh is a brand-new laugh-a-minute play which re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's all-time greatest comedy heroes - Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse. F...By Royal Appointment
Lowry, Salford
Wednesday 6 - Saturday 9 August 2025
The late Queen Elizabeth II was famous for her discretion. She never said anything in public that could ruffle the lightest of feathers. But she had one way of expressing what she really thought - through her wardrobe. By Royal Appointment ...2:22 A Ghost Story
Manchester Opera House, Manchester
Thursday 7 - Saturday 16 August 2025
Winner of BEST NEW PLAY at the WhatsOnStage Awards, Kevin Clifton (Strictly Come Dancing, Everybody's Talking About Jamie, Chicago) and Stacey Dooley (TV presenter and Strictly winner) star as fictional couple Sam and Jenny in this edge-of-...Twelfth Night
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Friday 29 August 2025
The brilliantly bold Not Too Tame return with an electrifying production of Twelfth Night, starring Les Dennis as Malvolio. The company that brought you 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' return with their unique brand of high octane theatre in a ...Derren Brown
Lowry, Salford
Tuesday 2 - Saturday 13 September 2025
Prepare to be astonished! The multi award-winning master of mind control and psychological illusion, Derren Brown, returns with his brand new live show, ONLY HUMAN. The content of ONLY HUMAN is still under wraps, but we can guarantee you a ...Jekyll & Hyde
Waterside, Manchester
Saturday 6 September 2025
In a new and enthralling one-man stage adaptation of the classic tale of terror, acclaimed actor Jonathan Goodwin plays both Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde in this production from Don't Go Into The Cellar! Victorian theatre company. Journey...IDEAL - Starring Johnny Vegas
Lowry, Salford
Monday 8 - Saturday 13 September 2025
Critically acclaimed and a ratings hit, the multi-award winning BBC sit-com Ideal ran for 7 seasons and 53 episodes. Now Moz and friends are back. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the first episode's broadcast, this new stage show is da...Austen's Women: Lady Susan
Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prescot
Tuesday 16 - Wednesday 17 September 2025
From Dyad Productions, the award-winning creators of Austen's Women, A Christmas Carol, I, Elizabeth, Female Gothic, Christmas Gothic, and A Room of One's Own. Austen's Women are back - in a brand-new solo show! Devil-may-care Lady S...National Production Company - Macbeth
Stockport Plaza, Stockport
Wednesday 24 September 2025
Set in the murky Dark Ages where love, politics and witchcraft collide, National Production Company presents a full-scale production of the classic tale as portrayed by William Shakespeare with sorcery, ghostly apparitions and spectacular ...Death on The Nile
Lowry, Salford
Friday 26 September - Saturday 4 October 2025
Bitter Rivals. Buried Secrets. A love to die for. On board a luxurious cruise under the heat of the Egyptian sun, a couple's idyllic honeymoon is cut short by a brutal murder. As secrets that have been buried in the sands of time finally re...Bleak Expectations
Altrincham Garrick, Altrincham
Monday 29 September - Saturday 4 October 2025
The story Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin... Follow half-orphan Pip's extraordinary exploits with sisters Pippa and Poppy and best friend Harry Biscuit, as they attempt to escape the calculating clutches of th...King Arthur
Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Tuesday 30 September - Saturday 4 October 2025
Award-winning funny men, Le Navet Bete, return to the stage with a a brand-new laugh-out-loud show for theatre. This hilarious retelling of the Arthurian legends, suitable for the whole family, will have audiences crying with laughter and b...Eddie Izzard - Hamlet
Lowry, Salford
Wednesday 1 - Thursday 2 October 2025
Direct from her critically acclaimed, triple-extended New York, Chicago and London solo performances of Shakespeare's Hamlet, which was nominated for New York's Drama League Distinguished Performance Award and Outer Critic's Circle Outstand...Shit-faced Shakespeare - Hamlet
The Albert Halls, Bolton
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare have toured the world, broken America, established themselves on London's West End, won numerous awards, and survived a zero-star review in The Times. In 2025, they will be celebrating 15 years on the wagon with one o...
National Production Company - Hamlet
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Prepare to be spellbound by this timeless masterpiece, brought to life in a thrilling and unforgettable production by National Production Company Ltd. A full-scale production set in the shadowy medieval court of Denmark, where love, power, ...Bristol Old Vic - Hamlet
Waterside, Manchester
Wednesday 1 October 2025
Filmed in 4k, in front of a live audience at Bristol Old Vic, and with a new sound mix exclusively for cinema, director John Haidar's spellbinding adaptation of Shakespeare's seminal tragedy stars rising star Billy Howle (The Serpent, On C...New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester
RNCM, Manchester
Saturday 4 - Friday 10 October 2025
The brand-new stage production of New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division & Manchester celebrates its 10th anniversary. The new touring production is written by Brian Gorman, produced & directed by Giles D Bastow and Sean Mason fo...Dancing at Lughnasa
Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Friday 10 October - Saturday 8 November 2025
"I want to dance, Kate. It's the festival of Lughnasa. I'm only thirty-five. I want to dance." Driven by an overwhelming desire, the five Mundy sisters dance. Together they twirl and spin, it is wild, passionate, reckless, and for the brief...Dirty Dusting
Blackburn Empire Theatre, Blackburn
Monday 13 October 2025
An evening of pure theatrical Viagra starring Crissy Rock (Benidorm) and Leah Bell (Stage Award Winner) plus Vanessa Karon and Paul Dunn. Gladys, Olive and Elsie are three "vintage style" cleaning ladies who, threatened with redundan...Mama Afrika
