What Manchester Has To Offer Theatre Goers

By Author: Gareth Hoyle
Total Articles: 675
Comment this article

Manchester has a range of theatres that always have the most exciting shows and performances to enjoy.

The Opera House in Quay Street is a 1,920 seat commercial touring theatre which hosts touring musicals, ballet, concerts and a spectacular Christmas pantomime. It is a listed building which first opened on Boxing Day in 1912. The main highlights coming up at the Opera House in 2011 include Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's extraordinary musical, Evita in May, as well as the divine musical comedy, Sister Act from September to October.

Manchester's theatres also include the Palace Theatre on Oxford Street. Originally known as ‘The Grand Old Lady of Oxford Street', the theatre has a 1,955 capacity, and has been open since 1891. It is now one of the most popular and best equipped theatres outside London, and hosts major touring musicals, often with major celebrities, in addition to opera and ballet performances, comedy acts and one night concerts. Highlights coming up at the Palace Theatre in 2011 include Calendar Girls in February and Mamma Mia from April to June.

Theatre performances can also be seen ...
... at The Lowry in Salford Quays in Salford. The Lowry, which was opened in 2000, is a combined theatre and gallery complex named after the early 20th century painter, L. S. Lowry, and includes two theatres and a drama studio. It hosts a wide variety of touring shows, comedians and musical events, in addition to the Opera North series of operas. The Lowry's Lyric Theatre has seating for 1,730 people, and its 2011 highlights include A Midsummer Night's Dream in February and The Life and Death of Marina Abramovic in July.

Although it was during the Victorian age that the city's present Royal Exchange was built, it did not house a theatre company until the 1970s. The Theatre can now seat up to 700 people on three levels, with 2011 highlights including Vivienne Franzmann's gripping and urgent play, Mogadishu from January to February.

Manchester has a range of other theatre venues, making it the perfect place for theatre goers. These include such venues as the Library Theatre and Contact Theatre, all with an exciting selection of shows planned for 2011.

For a fantastic luxury hotel in the heart of the city, consider the historic Midland Hotel Manchester , which is perfectly placed for theatre trips from any part of the UK, being located just 200m from Oxford Road Station as well as 800m from Piccadilly Station and nearby Manchester Central.