Category Opera House Manchester

Theatre Review: 42ND STREET – Opera House, Manchester

Michael Praed as Julian Marsh in 42ND STREET. Photo Credit: Johan Persson

Driven by its talented cast, showstopping tap sequences and fresh direction, 42ND STREET solidifies its place as a beloved classic in the world of musical theatre.

4 out of 5 stars

Few shows can boast the spectacle of 42ND STREET, and the latest touring production at Manchester’s Opera House is no exception...

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Theatre Review: ANNIE – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of ANNIE UK Tour 2023. Photo Credit: Paul Coltas

Aided by its colourful set, inspired choreography and incredible cast performance, ANNIE stands the test of time.

4 out of 5 stars

Slowly approaching its 50th year onstage after opening in New York in 1977, the beloved ANNIE returns to Manchester’s Opera House every bit as bright and joyful as ever.

Written by Thomas Meehan and featuring classic songs TOMORROW and IT’S THE HARD KNOCK LIFE, it centres on the titular character of Annie, an orphan who seeks...

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Theatre Review: SHREK THE MUSICAL – Opera House, Manchester

With its beloved characters and exceptional cast performances, SHREK THE MUSICAL exudes the same rewatchable charm as the films.

4 out of 5 stars

You don’t need a magic mirror to predict the delight that SHREK THE MUSICAL’s live adaptation will bring to younger audiences, but its humdrum soundtrack may dim its shine for the big kids amongst them.

Pushing back on the familiar fairy-tale tropes and romanticised themes around true love, SHREK THE MUSICAL brings the 2001 animation to life with an honest take o...

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Theatre Review: ROCK OF AGES – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of ROCK OF AGES. Photo Credit: The Other Richard

Despite its catchy score and talented ensemble, ROCK OF AGES tries too hard to be funny, sexual, and different in its 2023 farewell tour.

3.5 out of 5 stars

After making its debut on the West End in 2011 and being adapted to film in 2012, ROCK OF AGES takes its final bow in its 2023 farewell tour.

The Sunset Strip is home to dreamers, rockers, and the infamous Bourbon Room, where Drew (Sam Turrell) fantasises of becoming a rock and roll legend...

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Theatre Review: THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW UK Tour. Photo Credit: David Freeman

Celebrating 50 years of absurdity, acceptance, authenticity, and amusement, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is as much of a crowd-pleaser now as ever.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Celebrating its fiftieth year onstage, THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW has rocked and rolled back into Manchester’s Opera House as part of its 2022-2023 world tour. Ever the fan-favourite, Richard O’Brien’s timeless, time-warping, mind-bending musical is as much of a crowd-pleaser now as ever...

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Theatre Review: THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN. Photo Credit: Phil Tragen

With its audience participation, catchy music, comic innuendos and laugh-out-loud slapstick comedy, THE PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN ticks all the boxes.

4 out of 5 stars

What makes a pantomime? Is it a villain played with comedic menace or his dimwitted sidekick? Is it the audience participation and the music? The innuendo and slapstick? It is all of these things, and this year’s offering from Manchester’s Opera House in the ...

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Theatre Review: BUGSY MALONE – Opera House, Manchester

Amar Blackman & ensemble in BUGSY MALONE. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography

From its spectacular set designs and talented cast ensemble, BUGSY MALONE is an utterly splurgtastic show for all the family.

5 out of 5 stars

Alan Parker’s world-famous 1976 movie BUGSY MALONE, which launched the careers of Jodie Foster and Scott Baio, heads to the stage for the first time on tour with this universally acclaimed revival of the universally acclaimed Lyric Hammersmith Theatre production.

Set in Prohibition-era New York, wh...

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Theatre Review: JERSEY BOYS – Opera House, Manchester

The cast of JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2022. Photo Credit: Birgit Ralf Brinkhoff

The cast of JERSEY BOYS UK Tour 2022. Photo Credit: Birgit Ralf Brinkhoff

Leaning on its talented cast and fantastic back catalogue, JERSEY BOYS is a thoroughly entertaining and impressively well-crafted show worthy of its ticket price.

5 out of 5 stars

Many musicals are often adapted from successful books, TV shows and hit movies, but JERSEY BOYS does something else entirely: it has been created from real life.

Based on the music and the inside story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, JERSEY BOYS tells the...

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Theatre Review: SOUTH PACIFIC – Opera House, Manchester

Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary), Sera Maehara (Liat) & Rob Houchen (Joe Cable) in SOUTH PACIFIC.

Joanna Ampil (Bloody Mary), Sera Maehara (Liat) & Rob Houchen (Joe Cable) in SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo: Johan Persson

Juxtaposing the lushness of the piece with an underlying threat of violent bigotry, Daniel Evans’ vibrant production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC emphasises the anti-racist message of the 1949 Broadway hit.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Following a successful run in 2021, Chichester Festival Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC launches at Manchest...

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Theatre Review: SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN – Opera House, Manchester

Cast of SINGIN' IN THE RAIN UK Tour

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN UK Tour. Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

With its fabulous score, inventive choreography, and high production values, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN is a joyous celebration of musical theatre.

5 out of 5 stars

It may have been 10 years since Jonathan Church’s critically acclaimed stage production of SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN was first brought to life at Chichester Festival Theatre, but this fabulous fast-footed feast is still capable of making a splash as it heads to Manchester’s Opera House as part of a n...

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