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

Bank of Dave The Musical - World Premiere

Lowry Lyric Theatre, Salford Quays
Until Sat 16 May 2026.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with ROB MADGE & PIPPA CLEARY
Exclusive £25 Tickets Offer & More Info

The Karate Kid The Musical

Palace Theatre, Manchester
Tue 12 - Sat 23 May 2026
Watch our Exclusive Interview with GINO OCHELLO
Exclusive Tickets Offer & More Info

The Choir of Man

Manchester Opera House
Until Sat 9 May + more dates.
Watch our Exclusive Interview with NIMI OWOYEMI
Read our ★★★★★ review
Tickets & More Info

English National Opera - Angel's Bone

Return to the Forest

Party Season

Even These Things - World Premiere

Luminiscence

Teechers

Ballet of Lights - Sleeping Beauty

RNCM Theatre, Manchester
Sun 10 May 2026 (2 shows) + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

The Crucible

Gyles Brandreth

John Robins

Desperate Scousewives

The Detective Dog

Z-Arts, Hulme
Sat 16 May 2026 (2 shows)
Tickets & More Info

Troubled

Bears Bears Bears

Contact, Manchester
Wed 13 - Sat 16 May 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Black is the Color of My Voice

Period Drama

Funeral Teeth

A Sudden, Disturbing To Do List

Arden School of Theatre - The Final Bow

Murder Mystery Evening

East Lancashire Railway, Bury
Fri 15 May 2026 + more dates.
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

Manchester City v Crystal Palace

Manchester United v Nottingham Forest (Last Home Game of the Season)

Fabio Wardley v Daniel Dubois

Rolando Dy v Paulie Malignaggi

The Corinthians: We Were The Champions

HOME Cinemas, Manchester
Sun 10 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Gozzle's Wetland Adventure

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

~ All Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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What's on in Manchester Comedy This Week

Clinton Baptiste

Middleton Arena
Weds 13 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Daniel Sloss

Judi Love

Gyles Brandreth

Kate Butch

John Robins

Susan Calman

Chorley Theatre
Thu 14 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Kiell Smith-Bynoe & Friends - Kool Story Bro

Tom Rosenthal

Paul McCaffrey

Paczes & Lotek (in Polish)

Paul Campbell

~ All Comedy Shows in Manchester This Week ~

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

English National Opera - Angel's Bone

Luminescence

Hallé & Alexander Gadjiev - Dvořák's Symphony No. 8

Italian pianist Alexander Gadjiev, winner of the 2022 Terence Judd-Hallé Award, joins forces with Grammy-nominated Ariane Matiakh and the Halle.

Sir Stephen Hough

A homecoming for arguably Britain’s finest living pianist.

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra & Simone Lamsma - Northern Lights

Chief Conductor John Storgårds is joined by acclaimed violinst Simone Lamsma in this striking exploration of Nordic soundscapes.

Hallé Family Concert - Film Favourites

The Halle perform the magic of the movies for families, suitable for ages 5-13.

The Hallé Chamber Series - Alexander Gadjiev

A lunchtime concert from the Hallé's Chmaber series with pianist Alexander Gadjiev.

BBC Philharmonic Orchestra - Brahms Symphony No. 2

Tom Fetherstonhaugh conducts the BBC Phil through Johannes Brahms and Emilie Mayer.

Candlelight - A Tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran

A string quartet pay tribute to Coldplay and Ed Sheeran.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Fri 1 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Candlelight - Hans Zimmer's Best Works

A string quartet pay tribute to the German film composer.

Hallé St Peter's, Manchester
Fri 1 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

Mystery Ensemble - Interstellar: A Tribute to Hans Zimmer

A classical tribute to the German film composer.

The Piccadilly Sinfonietta - Vivaldi's Four Seasons by Candlelight

A [performance of Vivaldi’s awe-inspiring Four Season.

~ All Classical Concerts in Manchester This Week ~

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Our Top 5 Tribute Shows in Manchester This Week

The Elvis Tribute Artist World Tour

Moses Snow (Early Elvis Years), Arron Walker (1968 Comeback Special), Chris Connor (1970’s / That’s The Way It Is) and Gordon Hendricks pay tribute to Elvis.

The Neverland Express + Caleb Johnson

The only show that was officially endorsed by Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, this celebration of the legendary rocker by his own backing band stars American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson.

Taylormania

Katy Ellis pays tribute to Taylor Swift.

Manchester Opera House + Stockport Plaza
Sun 3 + Sat 9 May 2026.
Tickets & More Info

Mania

The popular ABBA tribute show.

The Albert Halls, Bolton
Fri 15 May 2026 + more dates.
Tickets & More Info

The Rat Pack - Las Vegas Live

David Alacey (Lovejoy & Inspector Alleyn) stars as Frank Sinatra alongside West End favourite Tim Harwood as Dean Martin. They are joined by former Coronation Street and Hollyoaks star Ashley Campbell as Sammy Davis.