Musicals of Manchester: December

Manchester has the greatest theatre scene outside of London. There’s numerous theatres, and a diverse selection of theatre (plays, cabaret, etc.), but musicals are, without a doubt, the most popular form of theatre. So here are the musicals coming to Manchester (and Salford) this December!

The Lion King Palace Theatre Thursday October 27 2022 – Saturday March 11 2023

“Set against the majesty of the Serengeti Plains and to the evocative rhythms of Africa, Disney’s multi award-winning musical is a unique theatrical experience that you will remember forever.

At its heart is the powerful story of Simba and his epic adventure to his destined role as King of the Pridelands.”

Photo: The Lion King

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella Hope Mill Theatre Tuesday November 1 – Sunday December 11

“Glass slippers are so in… Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella the Musical comes to Hope Mill Theatre! This is the European theatrical premiere of the 2013 Broadway musical. The smart and beautiful young Ella lives in the care of her wicked, self-absorbed stepmother Madame and her two stepsisters Charlotte and Gabrielle. In another part of the kingdom, Prince Topher is trying to find himself and learn his place in the world. When his scheming advisor Sebastian suggests throwing a ball so the Prince can meet potential brides, Ella and Topher’s different worlds come together. Expect the unexpected in this clever retelling of the beloved fairy tale.”

Photo: Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella

Betty! A sort of Musical Royal Exchange Theatre (The Theatre) Saturday December 3 - Saturday January 14 "'Here's to a woman who conquered the murky world of Westminster with nothing but wit and gumption... and enough hairspray to turn a tsunami into a kiss curl.' As the first female speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd is a Dewsbury girl to celebrate, and the five ladies (plus Calvin) of The Dewsbury Players are going to do just that... through the medium of musical theatre! Their high-kicks may be wobbly, their acting ‘enthusiastic’ and the props left over from a production of MISS SAIGON; but, tonight, the Village Hall is their theatre of dreams! Emboldened by their heroine's indefatigable tenacity, this amateur group prove themselves to be extraordinary women on and off stage. Maxine Peake (Funny Cow & Anne) and Seiriol Davies (How to Win Against History) write and star in this brand-new production, directed by former Royal Exchange Theatre Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom. At a time when everything seems so polarised, BETTY is a heart-warming celebration of the human spirit and the unexpected rewards that can come from thinking outside of the dispatch box." Photo: Royal Exchange Theatre The Pantomine Adventures of Peter Pan Opera House Saturday December 10 - 31

Join Peter Pan as he sets sail on a brand new adventure this Christmas. Comedy superstar Jason Manford will lead the cast in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan in the role of Captain Hook, joined by returning Manchester panto favourite and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Ben Nickless as Smee and musical theatre stars Jessica Croll as Wendy, Samara Casteallo as Tinkerbell, and Ross Carpenter as Peter Pan.

With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan will take your whole family on a swashbuckling trip to Neverland like never before!

Be part of the panto magic – hook your tickets today!"

Robin Hood: The 80's Panto Contact Friday 16 - Saturday 30 December "The wildly popular eight-freestyle and Contact panto returns and this season we present something a little different…a panto 80’s remix of Robin Hood! It’s a fresh twist on the traditional, combining The Adventures of Robin Hood and The Babes in the Wood with an upbeat, sing-along, 80’s panto playlist!

eight-freestyle‘s Robin Hood is a story of courage, friendship and bad puns. There’ll be plenty of laughs along the way as Robin joins forces with Maid Marion to thwart the Sheriff of Nottingham’s evil plans to kidnap the young Babes. This is a show that has it all: adventure, action, laughs, music, magic and men with mullets!

Starring our regular cast of multi-talented, all-singing, all-dancing performers, it really is a treat for children of all ages…even grown-up ones. So if you are Holding Out for a Hero and believe in The Power of Love or think Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, then join our outlaw band in the magical Sherwood Forest for a panto guaranteed to hit the Bulls-eye every time!" Photo: Robin Hood: The 80's Panto

Claus the Musical

The Lowry (Quays Theatre)

Wednesday December 14 - Sunday January 8

"How the Boy became a Man. How the Man became a Legend.

From the writer of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz comes the world premiere of Claus The Musical. Based on the beloved children’s book The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L. Frank Baum, this brand-new musical is as magical as Christmas itself. With spellbinding songs from Andy Collyer, heart-warming storytelling, enchanting sets, and a whole load of festive fun, discover the story of Claus and how he became a man forever in our hearts, and on Christmas Eve, forever in our skies. Abandoned as a baby in the magical Forest of Burzee, he is gifted to Necile, a wood nymph, who showers him with love and names him Claus.  With a helping hand from the mystical inhabitants of the forest – Fairies, Knooks and Ryls – she teaches him that kindness is the most important lesson of all, a gift that Claus eventually shares with us, as he embarks on a journey to bring the miracle of Christmas to the whole world. Make Christmas in 2022 unforgettable and book now! Adapted for the stage by Simon Warne, Claus will warm the hearts of everyone from 7 to 97, and is a truly joyful production for the whole family to cherish and enjoy together." Photo: Claus the Musical

Bourgeois & Maurice: Pleasure Seekers

HOME (Theatre 1)

Friday 16 - Saturday 17 December

"Cult cabaret superstars Bourgeois & Maurice are back with a spectacular new show that puts the FUN back into our fundamentally pointless existence! Packed with whip-smart songs, jaw-dropping outfits, and an 8ft piñata, Pleasure Seekers sees the sinister singing siblings at their hilarious best as they attempt to dedicate their lives to optimism, hedonism and non-stop pleasure. How could they possibly fail?

Join B&M as they bellyflop head-first into a joy jacuzzi, with the hilariously savage wit andunique brand of pop-satire that has made them one of the UK’s most subversive and original musical acts.

Gloriously unhinged yet bizarrely life-affirming, this brand new show is a high-energy homage to hedonism in all its filthy, fabulous glory."

Photo: Bourgeois & Maurice

So, there you have it - a splendid selection of marvellous musicals (and sort-of musicals and pantomimes) to choose from! Stay tuned for what's on in January.