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

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

The Bodyguard

To Kill a Mockingbird

Singin' in the Rain

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Extended until Sun 25 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with DANNY COLLINS
Read our ★★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

Murder at Midnight

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Untl Sat 24 Jan 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with JASON DURR
Exclusive £20 Tickets Offer & More Info

Luminescence

Swing'it - Prohibition

Kindertransport

Altrincham Garrick
Tue 20 - Tue 27 Jan 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Beyond the Barricade

Stockport Plaza
Fri 23 Jan 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Burns Night Dinner

Jarman

Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope

Post Traumatic SLAY Disorder

National Theatre Live - Hamlet

HOME, Manchester
Thu 22 - Sat 24 Jan 2026
Tickets & More Info

Lowry 360

Quentin Blake and Me

Becoming Victoria Wood

HOME, Manchester
Tue 20 Jan - Sun 1 Feb 2026
Tickets & More Info

Manchester City v Wolves

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Jason Manford

Warrington Parr Hall
Weds 21 Jan 2026 + more dates.

Tickets & More Info

Ed Byrne + Breenan Reece + Daisy Earl + Adam Morrison

Phil Ellis

Cultplex, Manchester
Sun 25 Jan 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Aurie Styla

A Celebration of Father Ted with Joe Rooney

Stockport Plaza
Weds 21 & Thu 22 Jan 2026.

Tickets & More Info

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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

Hallé & Julius Asal - Grieg's Piano Concerto

2025’s astounding winner of the Terence Judd-Hallé Award, Julius Asal, joins forces with returning Hallé conductor Lionel Bringuier to perform Grieg’s exceptional Piano Concerto.

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Bluebeard's Castle

Jennifer Johnston and Christopher Purves star in the BBC Phil's performance of Béla Bartók's gothic tale of horror.

RNCM Brass Band Festival

The country's top brass bands come together once more at the RNCM, including Foden's Band, Black Dyke Band, Tredegar Town Band, Concord Brass Band, The Cory Band, Brighouse & Rastrick Band, and more.

Alice Sara Ott

With more than 500 million album streams and a reputation as one of today’s most compelling classical performers, German-Japanese pianist Alice Sara Ott brings her brilliance and forward-thinking artistry to Manchester.

Hallé Chamber Series & Julius Asal

BBC New Generation Artist and 2025 Terence Judd-Hallé Award winner, German pianist Julius Asal joins players from the Hallé orchestra for a programme built around Schumann’s Piano Quintet.

Candlelight - A Tribute to Coldplay

The music of tthe stadium rockers performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Fri 23 Jan 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac

The music of the Anglo-American blues rock legends performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Fri 23 Jan 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Tribute to The Weeknd

Discover the music of The Weeknd performed by a string quartet under the gentle glow of candlelight.

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Classic Rock Show

A rocking tribute to the likes of Queen, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Rainbow, Lynryd Skynryd, The Who, AC/DC, Boston, Pink Floyd, Meat Loaf, Eric Clapton, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Toto and more.

Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
Mon 19 & Sat 31 Jan 2026.

Tickets & More Info

Michael Starring Ben

The hit theatre production starring the UK's ultimate Michael Jackson tribute star, Ben Bowman.

The Rolling Stones Story

A tribute to the 60s blues rock legends starring the world’s No.1 Mick Jagger lookalike in Paul Ashworth.

Lowry Quays Theatre, Salford Quays
Sun 25 Jan 2026.

Tickets & More Info

The Elvis Years

An outstanding concert production featuring Mario Kombou original star of the West End Production Jailhouse Rock.

Daft Funk

The next best thing to seeing Daft Punk live.

The Dolly Show

As seen on BBC ONE and voted the U.K’s No 1. Dolly Parton tribute by the Agents Association of Great Britain.

Pinked Floyd

North West based tribute band celebrating the magical music of Pink Floyd.

The Vintage Explosion

1950s inspired rock'n'roll band described by Rod Stewart as boasting "the best white soul singer I’ve heard. He is unbelievable, I’m dumbfounded by how good he is."