Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

The Best of What's on in Manchester This Week

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK CALENDAR

With over 4000 shows listed on Manchester Theatres, it can be hard to decide which show to go and see - as you will probably know if you are one of the 200,000 members who receive our Sunday night "What's on in Manchester over the next seven days" e-mails [subscribe here].

If it's any help, we have handpicked our recommended theatre shows, classical concerts and stand-up comedy acts from what's on in Manchester over the next seven days...

You can find the best music gigs listed separately, here.

Quick Links: Theatres / Comedy / Gigs / Classical / Tribute Shows

~ o ~

Our Top 10 What's On in Manchester Theatre This Week

Matilda The Musical

Palace Theatre, Manchester
Until Sat 25 Apr 2026
Watch our Exclusive Interview with RICHARD HURST
Read our ★★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

Private Lives

The Boy at the Back of The Class

Diversity

Manchester Opera House
Weds 15 - Fri 17 Apr 2026
Tickets & More Info

Gandeys K-Pop Dragon Circus

Luminiscence

You're Dead to Me

Wating for Godot

Ballet Black at 25

Trompe l'Oeil - The Musical

Contact, Manchester
Sat 18 Apr - Sat 2 May 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Gandeys Circus by Night

The Trafford Centre
Until Fri 17 Apr 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Zog

The Railway Children

Ben Hart

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Sun 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Danny Baker

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Weds 15 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Australia's Thunder From Down Under

O2 Ritz, Manchester
Sat 18 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Mika and the Polar Bear

Z-Arts, Manchester
Sat 18 Apr 2026 (2 shows).
Tickets & More Info

For the Love of Horror

Ballaí (Walls)

53two, Manchester
Weds 15 - Fri 17 Apr 2026
Tickets & More Info

Shane Koyczan

Relay

Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
Fri 17 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

The Freshwater Five

Shakespeare North Playhouse Studio
Sat 18 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Murder Mystery Evening

East Lancashire Railway, Bury
Fri 17 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

An Audience with Ricky Tomlinson

New Mills Town Hall
Sun 19 Apr 2026 + more dates
Tickets & More Info

National Theatre Live - All My Sons

HOME Cinema, Manchester
Thu 16 & Sat 18 Apr 2026.
Tickets & More Info

The Corinthians: We Were The Champions

HOME Cinema, Manchester
Sun 12 April - Sat 23 May 2026.
Tickets & More Info

The Mystery of Banksy - A Genius Mind

Bubble Planet

Horrible Science - Cosmic Chaos

Lowry 360

Horizon of Khufu - Journey to Ancient Egypt

Machu Picchu - Journey to the Lost City

Whisper of Tagu - Burmese Cultural Showcase

Manchester City v Arsenal

Manchester United v Leeds United

Hope Mill Amateur Dramatic Company - Sister Act

Shockout Academy BTEC Showcase

RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Tue 14 - Weds 15 April 2026
Tickets & More Info

Gozzle's Wetland Adventure

WWT Martin Mere
Until Sat 30 May 2026
Tickets & More Info

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

James Acaster

Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays + Shakespeare North Playhouse
Tue 14 - Sat 25 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Scott Bennett

Parr Hall, Warrington
Sat 18 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Josh Widdicombe

Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
Sat 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Max Amini

O2 Apollo, Manchester
Fri 17 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Laura Ramoso

Thomas Green

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Thu 16 Apr 2026 + more dates.

Tickets & More Info

Looking For Me Friend - The Music of Victoria Wood

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays + Bury Met
Sat 18 & Sun 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Lucy Darling

Albert Hall, Manchester
Thu 16 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Emma Doran

Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
Sat 18 Apr 2026 + more dates.

Tickets & More Info

Matt Parker

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Fri 17 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Pierre Novellie

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Mon 13 Apr 2026 + more dates.

Tickets & More Info

Mark Steel

Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Sun 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Mike Wozniak

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Tue 14 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Barbara Nice

Octagon Theatre, Bolton
Fri 17 Apr 2026 + more dates.

Tickets & More Info

Vidura Bandara Rajapaksa

New Century, Manchester
Sun 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

The Cheryl & Kitty Show

O2 Ritz, Manchester
Weds 15 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

ButtTootKing

Manchester Academy 2
Fri 17 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Dawn Bailey + Colin Manford

Garrick Theatre, Stockport
Fri 17 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

COBO Comedy Shutdown

The Frog & Bucket, Manchester
Sun 19 Apr 2026.

Tickets & More Info

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

Our Top What's On in Manchester Classical & Choral This Week

Luminescence

Hallé - A Sea Symphony

Conductor Tarmo Peltokoski is joined by Soprano Chen Reiss and Baritone Huw Montague Rendall for Vaughan Williams’ groundbreaking A Sea Symphony.

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting heavy metal and classic rock favourites by candlelight.

Hallé - The Best of John Williams

Manchester's oldest orchestra pay tribute to legendary film composer, John Williams.

BBC Philharmonic & Frank Dupree - New World Symphony

Joshua Weilerstein makes his triumphant return to the Philharmonic in this musical postcard celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence featuring the debut of firebrand pianist Frank Dupree.

La Orquesta Sinfónica de Galicia & Thibaut Garcia

Star guitarist Thibaut Garcia joins the OSG (Galicia Symphony Orchestra) to bring some gorgeous Spanish sunshine to Manchester.

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Bernstein's On the Town

Joshua Weilerstein conducts the BBC Phil through Leonard Bernstein's On the Town, alongside works by Pavel Haas, Bohuslav Martinů and Charles Ives.

Candlelight - A Tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran

A string quartet perform the hits of Coldplay and Ed Sheeran under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Sat 18 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

A string quartet perform some of the most iconic hits of all time from Fleetwood Mac by candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Fri 17 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Taylor Swift

A string quartet perform hits from Taylor Swift by candlelight.

Candlelight - A Tribute to Adele

A string quartet perform the hits of Adele under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Candlelight Babies

Bask with your baby in the glow of a thousand candles as gentle classical melodies, adapted for tiny ears, spark early development and create tender bonding moments between the two of you..

Evgeny Grinko

Having fled Russia after publicly opposing the war in Ukraine, the former noise rock artist turned classical composer brings his multi-million streamed compositions to Manchester.

The National Youth Brass Band of Great Britain

A world première of Victoria Wood: A Laugh Less Ordinary by the young brass band.

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

~ o ~

Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Drifters

Continuing the legacy of George and Faye Treadwell, the latest line-up of The Drifters are back on tour performing all the classic hits of the soul legends from the last six decades.

Stockport Plaza
Weds 15 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

The Mersey Beatles

Beatles tribute band who clocked up more than 600 appearances in a 10-year residency at Liverpool’s legendary Cavern Club.

Fleetwood Bac

The world’s first Fleetwood Mac Tribute Band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself.

Parr Hall, Warrington
Sat 18 Apr 2026 + more dates
Tickets & More Info

King of Pop starring Navi featuring Jennifer Batten

A celebration of Michael Jackson, through note-perfect recreations of his many huge hits, starring the world’s leading MJ tribute artist Navi, who is joined on stage by Jackson’s iconic guitarist – Jennifer Batten.

The Edge, Wigan
Sat 18 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

K-Pop All Stars Tribute

A tribute to today’s biggest K-pop hits from BlackPink, NewJeans, Katseye, BTS and smash-hit film K-pop Demon Hunters.

Stockport Plaza
Tue 14 Apr 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

K-Pop Icons

A virtual band with live dancers pay tribute to your K-Pop favourites.

The Dr Hook Experience

A tribute to American country rock band, Dr. Hook.

The Drifters

Continuing the legacy of George and Faye Treadwell, the latest line-up of The Drifters are back on tour performing all the classic hits of the soul legends from the last six decades.