The King and I @ Opera House
Until Saturday 11th May
This run at the Opera House continues right through til Saturday 11th May so there’s still plenty of time to catch it. Set in 1860s Bangkok, the musical tells the story of the unconventional and tempestuous relationship that develops between the King of Siam and Anna, a British schoolteacher.
West Side Story @ Royal Exchange Theatre
Wednesday 1st – Saturday 25th May
We all know the songs, and we’ve probably all tried to learn the opening sequence jets v sharks. The songs are stunning, the routines breathtaking. Get down to the Royal Exchange immediately!
Richard III @ HOME
Wednesday 1st – Saturday 4th May
“A terrific production… There is blood and gore aplenty here.” That’s good then because a play about Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and his campaign of deceit, manipulation and violence for the crown would be a rather tame affair without it. Head to HOME before Saturday to check it out.
Educating Rita @ The Lowry
Wednesday 1st – Saturday 4th May
Stephen Tompkinson and Jessica Johnson (as the titular role) star in Willy Russell’s ‘Educating Rita’, which you can catch all the first week of May. The play itself has won an Olivier award, originally starring Julie Walters and Michael Caine on the west end.
Girl Gang Manchester’s Hamlet @ Hope Mill
Thursday 2nd – Saturday 11th May
Following last year’s all-female production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’, Girl Gang Manchester return to Hope Mill Theatre with Hamlet – a story that needs no introduction whatsoever. Head on down to experience quite possibly Shakespeare’s finest work with an all-female twist.
Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight @ Manchester Cathedral
Friday 3rd May
If there was ever a way to bask in all the glory of Four Seasons, I think by candlelight in a Cathedral has got to be at the top of the list. Vivaldi would approve anyway!
Strictly Come Dancing @ The Lowry
Friday 3rd May
Come on, we all love strictly and don’t say that you don’t because you’re 100% lying. We’ve all spent a Saturday night trying to learn the routines and fancying Aljaž so why not go and watch them in the flesh!
Rose McGowan: Brave @ The Lowry
Sunday 5th May
Listen, Rose McGowan in my opinion is one of the most underrated actors on planet Earth and now is your chance to see her in the flesh, exposing the ‘real’ Rose and not star studded Hollywood Rose.
Much Ado About Nothing @ The Lowry
Tuesday 7th May – Saturday 11th May
William Shakespeare’s second best comedy (open for debate) comes to The Lowry but with a modern 40’s war time twist. Northern Broadsides presents Much Ado About Nothing as you’ve never seen it before.
Peaches Christ’s Drag Becomes Her @ HOME
Wednesday 8th – Saturday 11th May
Peaches Christ, Jinkx Monsoon, BenDeLaCreme and Major Scales all star in this drag parody of the legendary film -Death Becomes Her. The drag queens will be dishing out the deliciously dark showbiz satire at HOME this May.
The House on Cold Hill @ Opera House
Monday 13th – Saturday 18th May
BAFTA nominated actor Joe McFadden and award-winning actress Rita Simons star in this spine-chilling thriller from best-selling author, Peter James about the Harcourt family who move into the house of their dreams which quickly turns into the thing of nightmares.
Handbagged @ Oldham Coliseum
Tuesday 14th May – Saturday 1st June
Handbagged aims to imagine what may have happened at the Queen’s infamous weekly meetings with Margaret Thatcher. Entertaining and satirical, sharp and mischievous, the two women collide as they share their opposing views of Britain’s role in the world.
The Worst Little Warehouse In London @ Kings Arms Salford
Friday 17th May
With 12 people living under the same roof in a converted warehouse in North London, this production follows Lala and Robbie, fresh off the boat, looking for the perfect place to call home. It’s been called a “mind-bogglingly funny story of companionship, shared accommodation, and how to grit your teeth and bare it.”
Grand Finale @ HOME
Wednesday 22nd – Saturday 25th May
Following a sell-out run in January 2018, Grand Finale is back, a spectacularly bold and ambitious piece featuring ten dancers and six musicians. At once comic, bleak and beautiful, evoking a world at odds with itself, full of anarchic energy and violent comedy, Grand Finale is a vision of a world in freefall: part gig, part dance, part theatre and wholly original.
Hugh Jackman: The Man. The Music. The Show @ Manchester Arena
Friday 24th May
Aw, lovely Hugh and his even lovelier singing voice. Expect to hear all his best bits from Les Miserables, Greatest Showman and many more. Tickets are pretty expensive but it’ll be totally worth it.
My First Ballet: Sleeping Beauty @ Opera House
Saturday 26th May
One of the most beautiful ballets with the dreamiest score is gracing the Opera House this month. A fantastic one to take the little ones to as it’s the ‘my first ballet’ series.
