Manchester Theatre News & Reviews

The Best of What's on in Manchester This Week

WHAT'S ON THIS WEEK

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.

(now updated daily).

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

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

Inside No 9 Stage/Fright

Manchester Opera House
Tue 14 - Sat 18 Oct 2025.
Tickets & More Info

Sunny Afternoon

Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein - The Musical

Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Until Sun 30 Nov 2025.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with Ore Oduba
Exclusive 25% Off Tickets & More Info

Dancing at Lughnasa

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Until Sat 8 Nov 2025.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with Kwaku Fortune.

Tickets & More Info

Snake in the Grass

Gandeys Halloween Spooktacular

The Trafford Centre, Manchester
Until Sun 2 Nov 2025.

Exclusive £5 Off Tickets & More Info

Going Out Out

HOME Theatre 2, Manchester
Thu 16 Oct - Sat 1 Nov 2025.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with James Quinn.

Tickets & More Info

The Legends of Them

HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
Sat 18 Oct 2025.

Exclusive £10 Tickets Offer & More Info

James May - Explorers: The Age of Discovery

An Evening with Jimmy Anderson

Black Power Desk

Two Mr Ps

An Evening With Katie Price & Kerry Katona

Stockport Plaza
Mon 13 Oct 2025.

Tickets & More Info

Irvine Welsh

HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
Sun 19 Oct 2025.

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Mick Herron

HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
Weds 15 Oct 2025.

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Led by Donkeys

RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Mon 13 Oct 2025.

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Jah Makin it Happen - A Reggae Musical

RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Fri 17 Oct 2025.

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Martin Parr

HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
Sun 19 Oct 2025.

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Autumn Steam Gala

Samantha Shannon & Saara El-Arifi

Homage

Fatherhood

The Magic Mod

Murder Mystery Night

East Lancashire Railway, Bury
Fri 17 Oct 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Adventures in Wonderland

Lowry 360

Quentin Blake and Me

The Great Northern Record Convention

Manchester City v Everton

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow

Wankernomics

Nina Conti

Myra DuBois

Tom Houghton

Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
Fri 19 Oct 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Mark Watson

HOME Theatre 1, Manchester
Thu 16 Oct 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Emmanuel Sonubi

Lowry Studio, Salford Quays
Fri 17 Oct 2025 + more dates.
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Emma Doran

Cally Beaton

Rachel Galvo

Aaron Wood

COBO Comedy Shutdown

David Correos

Tino Giaccotto

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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

Rishab Sharma ~ Sitar for Mental Health

Hailed as the youngest and last disciple of sitar legend Pandit Ravi Shankar, Sharma brings a legacy of tradition, innovation and purpose to every performance blending classical Indian music with contemporary sensibilities, digital visuals and raw emotional storytelling.

Hallé & Anna Lapwood - Flying Through Film

Radio 1’s film critic, Ali Plumb, pilots this exhilarating musical journey through film with star organist Anna Lapwood.

Filharmonie Brno & Freddy Kempf

The former BBC Young Musician of the Year, pianist Freddy Kempf joins forces with one fo the finest Czech philharmonic orchestras.

Abel Selaocoe

A homecoming for the Manchester-based, RNCM alumni and South African cellist Abel Selaocoe, who performs solo for the first time since his debut show in 2021.

Candlelight - Rings & Dragons

The beautiful soundtracks of fantasy films performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Sat 18 Oct 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Tribute to Queen and The Beatles

The music of the two biggest bands of all time performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Sat 18 Oct 2025 + more dates.
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The Piccadilly Sinfonietta - Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight

The world’s most breath-taking classical music performed live by candlelight.

Manchester Cathedral
Sat 18 Oct 2025 + more dates.
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Warren Mailley-Smith - Moonlight Sonata by Candlelight

The British concert panist performs a selection of sensational works for solo piano, including Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# minor.

Manchester Cathedral
Sat 18 Oct 2025 + more dates.
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The Groove Chorus

A choir of 40 singers, a 9-piece live band, pole dancer and drag queens serve up dance anthems with a disco twist.

Randy Edelman

An intimate performance from the Hollywood film composer behind the likes of Kindergarten Cop, My Cousin Vinny, Dragonheart, The Bruce Lee Story, Ghostbusters ll, Billy Madison, Gettysburg, While You Were Sleeping, Twins, and Last of the Mohicans, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Songs of Joni Mitchell

An all star tribute to the folk legend from Jesca Hoop, Kate Stables (This is the Kit) and Lail Arad.

Simply Dylan

No frills, no gimmicks, no pretense; Simply Dylan is John O'Connell’s personal exploration and celebration of the rich and diverse work of Bob Dylan.

Mike Sweeney's 60's Classics

The broadcasting legend performs his last ever 60s show, with guest stars inlcuding Herman's Hermits Karl Green paying tribute to Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders, and The Swinging Blue Jeans and remembering Eric Haydock (The Hollies) and Derek Quinn (Freddie and The Dreamers).

Re-Take That

A tribute act offering the ultimate Take That party night.

Man in the Mirror

An electrifying tribute concert to Michael Jackson from Entertainers starring CJ.

Stockport Plaza
Fri 17 Oct 2025 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

I Like It

Gary Murphy's ultimate Swingin' 60s show featuring the greatest hits of Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Elvis: As it Was

Tommy Holland and The Rising Sun band recreate some of Elvis’ most dynamic performances in a two-part show - The Movie Years and The Vegas Years.

Stax of Soul & The Soul Review

Manchester's original 9-piece 100% live band who energetically recreate the very best from the catalogues of Stax, Atlantic, Motown & Northern Soul, plus tributes to James Brown and The Blues Brothers.