DRAMA PLAYS IN MANCHESTER
DRAMA PLAYS IN MANCHESTER
Most Popular Drama Plays in Manchester
Tue 25 Nov 2025 - Sat 3 Jan 2026
Thu 23 Jan - Sat 1 Feb 2025
Tue 25 Feb - Sat 1 Mar 2025
Tue 25 Feb - Sat 1 Mar 2025
Animal Farm
Thursday 23 January - Saturday 1 February 2025
A powerful re-telling of George Orwell's chilling and timeless classic. When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master and take over, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all. However ove...
Waiting for Godot
Thursday 23 - Sunday 26 January 2025
Accepted as one of the most significant plays of the 20th century, Samuel Beckett's tragic comedy about the meaning of life and the absurdity of existence is brought to the stage by Altrincham Garrick, directed by Celia Bonner. Two wanderi...
The Lowry Dance & Drama Workshops
Thursday 23 January - Thursday 31 July 2025
The Lowry offers a diverse and inclusive creating learning offer for Primary and Secondary Schools. With a variety of workshops linked to curriculum areas, mental health and wellbeing and project work. Held either at The Lowry or in scho...
PUSH Festival
Friday 24 January - Saturday 8 February 2025
PUSH Festival returns to HOME for their biennial celebration of North West creative talent. Over two weeks, HOME's stages, screens and spaces will be dedicated to showcasing fantastic works from around the region, as well as offering oppor...
Bad Science
Monday 27 - Tuesday 28 January 2025
Darkly satirical and fast paced, Bad Science is a cautionary tale of what happens when a discipline of care morphs into one of control. Three authoritarian, yet incompetent, politicians are tasked with creating a new psychiatric diagnos...
What is Love to a Goddess?
Tuesday 28 - Wednesday 29 January 2025
Medea wants only what she's owed: dominion over all Greece. She only desires what she's due: the unquestioning devotion of the man she loves. In this scratch performance, Maz Hedgehog plays Medea, excited for the life she's about to begin w...
Buffy Revamped
Wednesday 29 January - Saturday 1 February 2025
Fresh from a smash-hit run at Edinburgh Fringe, this fast-paced new production from comedian Brendan Murphy - whose last show, Friend: The One with Gunther, recently won the award for Best Play in the World Wide Comedy Awards - brings y...
Dementia Street
Wednesday 29 - Thursday 30 January 2025
When his mum's battle with dementia ended, Manchester comedian Smug Roberts wanted to contribute something to the fight against it, so he wrote a one man play about the seven stages of her cognitive decline. As someone who has personally...
10 Nights
Thursday 30 January - Saturday 1 February 2025
The Olivier Award nominated moving and funny play, by Shahid Iqbal Khan, is the story of one man's journey of self-discovery, and facing the consequences of your actions. One man's spiritual journey is about to begin... after he's posted o...
Unhinged
Thursday 30 - Friday 31 January 2025
A searing exploration of race and gender in an increasingly fractured city, UNHINGED begs the question: can your version of the past really be trusted? Hazel isn't in control of anything. Even though she really wants to be. Job: stagnant ...
Who Is Your Mummy and Where Did She Go
Friday 31 January - Saturday 1 February 2025
Inspired by one of the artist's ancestors, Manchester's Company Four delve into Mary Ann Barker's story, which was kept hidden for generations. An autobiographical exploration of postpartum psychosis using the company's unique brand of mul...
111 More Time
Monday 3 February 2025
A fictional piece of theatre written by Amy Lever & Harriet Eaton and inspired by verbatim interviews with Nightline volunteers and young people with a range of mental health journeys. Tess is yawning on a first date and Georgie is falling ...
The Shark is Broken
Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 February 2025
Step aboard the Orca and into a "profound dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws" (The Daily Telegraph). This Olivier Award-nominated new play is "hilariously brilliant and pure genius" raves the Sunday Express in its 5 Star review an...
Rita, Sue & Bob Too!
Tuesday 4 - Sunday 9 February 2025
St Helens' Regal Entertainments Ltd proudly presents the return of the record breaking Adults Only hilarious 1987 cult classic Rita, Sue & Bob Too!TV favourite Jake Quickenden heads the stellar cast as Bob in the production. Jake will be ...
Little Reads
Tuesday 4 February - Tuesday 1 July 2025
Little Reads with Manchester Literature Festival. Join Ged for an interactive Storytelling session in our new Children's Library. 10am session - Pre-school/Family session 11am- Inclusive session (If you require a BSL interpreter please do l...
Floella Benjamin's Coming To England
Wednesday 5 - Monday 10 February 2025
An inspirational story of hope, determination and triumph Floella Benjamin's award-winning and iconic book Coming to England comes to life in this joyful stage adaptation with music, storytelling and song. Much loved by children and familie...
LIVES
Thursday 6 - Friday 7 February 2025
An epic tale fro ages 12+ celebrating the echoes of love, hope and conflict that connect us. This brand-new work is a multimedia drama that follows six souls linked across time. How can we connect in a world defined by constant change? How ...
Escaped Alone and What If If Only
Friday 7 February - Saturday 8 March 2025
Director Sarah Frankcom returns to the Exchange with two short plays by Caryl Churchill, brought together in one evening of theatre. Escaped Alone "I'm walking down the street and there's a door in the fence open and inside there are three...
Shirley Valentine
Friday 7 February - Saturday 8 March 2025
Be transported to sunny Greece with this beloved northern comedy! Mina Anwar reprises the title role in Willy Russell's heart-warming comedy following her acclaimed performance in our 2020 production. This will once again see Mina resetting...
Altrincham Garrick Play Reading Club
Friday 7 February - 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 ...
Playreading Sessions
Friday 7 February 2025
HOME's popular Playreading group meets on the first Friday of most months. The sessions, which are open to all, offer an opportunity to read and discuss plays that are linked to our theatre productions, or discover new plays from local tal...
Qweer Shorts
Saturday 8 February 2025
Manchester's most exciting LGBTQ+ new writing project is joining forces with Hope Mill to celebrate their 200th birthday. Qweer Shorts is an exciting test-ground for new queer writing. Their regular 'Introducing' nights are a space for w...
The Girl on the Train
Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 February 2025
Adapted from Paula Hawkins' novel - an international phenomenon selling over twenty million copies worldwide - this gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moment. Rachel Watson longs for a different life. Her only escape i...
One Punch
Wednesday 12 - Saturday 15 February 2025
By Jane Thornton and Martha Godber One punch, one second, lives changed forever. When two life-long friends embark on a night out in Hull no one thought that the events of that night would be so catastrophic. What should have been a routine...
Blithe Spirit
Wednesday 12 - Sunday 23 February 2025
Brought to life by Manchester's HER Productions, the creative team behind 'Taming of the Shrew', Noel Coward's classic farce is packed full of fun, fuss and plenty of laughs. Cantankerous novelist, Charles Condomine finds himself haunted by...
Horizons Collective Showcase
Wednesday 12 February 2025
Horizons Collective is delighted to support BESEA-led projects by artists in north west England, helping them to develop their projects and ultimately present their pieces in front of an audience. The Horizons Collective Showcase is a warm ...
University of Manchester Drama Society - Wish List
Wednesday 12 - Friday 14 February 2025
University of Manchester Drama Society MIFTAs presents Wish List, a pre-published play by Katherine Soper. Tamsin didn't plan to spend her teenage years packing boxes on a zero-hour contract. But her brother is housebound, working to obses...
Theatre Ad Infinitum - Last Rites
Tuesday 18 - Wednesday 19 February 2025
Last Rites combines exciting physical, non-verbal storytelling with dynamic projection and an immersive soundtrack that can be felt and heard. Told through a Deaf man's unique perspective, this show tells the passionate and poignant story ...
Rita, Sue & Bob Too!
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 February 2025
St Helens' Regal Entertainments Ltd proudly presents the return of the record breaking Adults Only hilarious 1987 cult classic Rita, Sue & Bob Too!TV favourite Jake Quickenden heads the stellar cast as Bob in the production. Jake will be ...
The Engagement Party
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 February 2025
We're hosting The Engagement Party of lifetime - and you're all invited!Meet Zack, a nature-loving foodie, and Sofia, a passionate city-loving girl. Their unexpected love story began in a chicken shop in Oldham, but as their relationship fl...
This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys)
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 February 2025
A coming-of-age tale set in 1990s Moss Side, a stone's throw from conflict and violence, This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys) is the powerful new stage show from poet and musician Reece Williams. This Kind of Black celebrates a commu...
National Theatre Live - The Importance of Being Earnest (PG)
Thursday 20 - Saturday 22 February 2025
Showing as though live, on the big screen, three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde's most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a...
Murder Mystery Evening
Friday 21 February - Friday 19 December 2025
Nothing works up an appetite like exercising those brain cells. So bring your best detective skills and join us for a night of mystery and murder on one of our stunning heritage steam trains. If you love Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes -...
Ghost Stories
Tuesday 25 February - Saturday 1 March 2025
The long-running West End hit returns! When Professor Goodman, arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings - as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting ...
The Merchant of Venice (1936)
Tuesday 25 February - Saturday 1 March 2025
'THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW TO DO SHAKESPEARE' (Metro) Ambition, power and political unrest explode onto the stage in The Merchant of Venice 1936, direct from selling out the RSC and London's West End. Starring Tracy-Ann Oberman (EastEnders...
Frozen Light - The Ancient Oak of Baldor
Tuesday 25 February - Sunday 2 March 2025
A multi-sensory experience for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their companions, offering the chance to gather and experience the collective power of shared stories. Frozen Light Theatre welcomes you into thei...
National Theatre Live - The Importance of Being Earnest (PG)
Tuesday 25 February 2025
Showing as though live, on the big screen, three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde's most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a...
Glorious!
Thursday 27 February - Sunday 30 March 2025
Hope Mill Theatre Presents "GLORIOUS!" The True Story of Florence Foster Jenkins-The Worst Singer in the World. Written by Peter Quilter and Directed by Kirk Jameson "GLORIOUS!" will star Wendi Peters as Florence Foster Jenkins. Join ...
National Theatre Live - The Importance of Being Earnest (PG)
Sunday 2 March 2025
Showing as though live, on the big screen, three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde's most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a...
imitating the dog - All Blood Runs Red
Tuesday 4 March 2025
The extraordinary true life of Eugene Bullard. This is one of history's overlooked true stories. This is a name that should be known, a story that must be told. This is a story of hope. Runaway, circus entertainer, boxer, night club owner, ...
Far From The Madding Crowd
Tuesday 4 March 2025
Thomas Hardy's masterpiece about love, class and gender roles is set against the rural landscape of Victorian England and is thrillingly brought to life in a new adaptation by the acclaimed Conn Artists Theatre Company, performed by an ense...
On Me
Wednesday 5 March 2025
Written by Caroline Lamb and presented by Dangerous To Know Theatre Company, On Me follows Shona and Christian, two actors working on a "gritty" true crime docudrama. As the pair develop feelings for each other, they must navigate the chall...
Murder Trial Tonight III
Friday 7 March 2025
Tigerslane Studios, renowned for its captivating true-crime productions, is thrilled to announce the launch of the new season of Murder Trial Tonight. This unique theatrical experience brings true-crime stories to life. In the third season,...
On Me
Friday 7 - Saturday 8 March 2025
Written by Caroline Lamb and presented by Dangerous To Know Theatre Company, On Me follows Shona and Christian, two actors working on a "gritty" true crime docudrama. As the pair develop feelings for each other, they must navigate the chall...
Do I Love You?
Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 March 2025
Why not join twenty somethings Sally, Nat and Kyle in this hilarious comedy written and directed by John Godber, the award-winning writer of "Bouncers", as they develop a love for, and the people involved with, Northern Soul. What started a...
Kellie Colbert - Dedicated To The One I Love
Thursday 13 March 2025
Dedicated To The One I Love draws on Greater Manchester-based performance maker Kellie Colbert's real experience of being gaslit. A performance that aims to create a safe space as Kellie confronts the fears of being alone, and falls for an...
Pride & Prejudice (sort of)
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 March 2025
Direct from its triumph in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of) is a unique and audacious retelling of Jane Austen's most iconic love story. Men, money and microphones will be...
Handbagged
Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 March 2025
11 years of weekly, behind-closed-doors meetings, where the destiny of a nation is shaped. Moira Buffini's clever, funny and charming political comedy unlocks the palace door, imagining the untold conversations of two of history's most powe...
The Moth
Tuesday 18 March 2025
Acclaimed Elysium Theatre Company return after their celebrated 50th Anniversary production of 'The Island' in 2024 with a drama by Paul Herzberg that will grip you from the beginning and not let go. 1994: a chance meeting on a train betwee...
